Troubleshooting SSL Connection Issues: A Professional’s Journey

When it comes to navigating the internet, encountering security warnings can be both alarming and frustrating—especially for someone with a technical background. I’ve worked in tech support for nearly three years, yet a recent challenge left me scratching my head in bewilderment.

Upon connecting to my Ethernet network, I found that no matter which website I attempted to access, I was met with a daunting message:

“Your connection is not private”
Attackers might be trying to steal your information from (for example, passwords, messages, or credit cards). Learn more.
NET::ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID

This issue was perplexing, as Wi-Fi access worked flawlessly; the problem seemed confined to my wired connection. After extensive troubleshooting, I performed a variety of checks, including:

• Verifying and adjusting the date and time on my system
• Clearing the browser cache and cookies, as well as testing in Incognito mode
• Trying multiple browsers to rule out software issues
• Resetting Winsock and flushing the DNS
• Restarting my router and switching Ethernet ports (since my setup is the only Ethernet-connected device in the house)
• Manually configuring IP and DNS settings
• Examining and adjusting proxy settings
• Clearing the SSL state in the browser settings
• Reinstalling network drivers
• Adding the flag “-ignore-certificate-errors” in the Chrome shortcut as a potential workaround
• Ensuring there were no antivirus programs running, including disabling Windows Defender

For context, my setup includes the following hardware:
– Motherboard: Asus B450-F Gaming
– CPU: Ryzen 2700x
– Operating System: Windows 10 x64, Version 1809
– GPU: Gigabyte RTX 2080

Amidst this array of troubleshooting steps, I found no resolution, leaving me quite stumped. Instead, I turned to the community for assistance, appealing for any insights they might offer.

The Resolution

Finally, after several attempts, the solution came unexpectedly: I flashed my router to the latest firmware and reset it to factory defaults. Lo and behold, the problem was resolved!

If you find yourself in a similar predicament, my experience may serve as a helpful guide. Remember, when faced with daunting SSL errors, a thorough examination of your connection settings and router firmware can often lead to a solution. Don’t hesitate to reach out to