Your Connection Is Not Private: Fix It on Windows 10

The “Your connection is not private” warning appears when your browser cannot verify a website’s secure connection. On Windows 10, the cause may be an incorrect clock, a browser or network setting, or a problem with the site’s certificate. Try the steps below in order; do not bypass the warning to enter passwords or payment details.

What You’ll Need

A Windows 10 device with access to its date and time settings.
If possible, another browser or device, and access to a different network for comparison.
Your Wi-Fi password if you may need to reconnect to your network.

Step-by-Step

Check the website address. Read the address in the browser’s address bar and make sure it is spelled correctly. If you followed a link, navigate to the site by typing its known address yourself or using a trusted bookmark. A lookalike address can lead to a site you did not intend to visit. Do not proceed if the address seems suspicious.
Check your date, time, and time zone. In Windows, select Start > Settings > Time & Language > Date & time. Turn on Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically, if available. If your time zone is wrong, select the correct one. Select Sync now if that option appears, then close and reopen the browser. Incorrect system time can make otherwise valid website certificates appear expired or not yet valid.
Reload the page and test other sites. Press Ctrl+R or select the browser’s reload button. Then try a few familiar, reputable websites. If only one site shows the warning, its certificate or configuration may be the problem; you may need to wait or contact the site owner. If many unrelated sites show it, continue with the device and network checks.
Try a private window or another browser. Open an InPrivate window in Microsoft Edge or an Incognito window in Chrome, or try another browser already installed. Type the site address directly. If it works in a private window, an extension or saved site data may be involved. Private browsing does not make an unsafe connection safe; stop if the warning remains.
Temporarily disable extensions to identify a conflict. Open the browser’s extensions or add-ons page and switch off extensions, especially recently installed ones, then reload the site. If the warning disappears, turn extensions back on one at a time to identify the cause. Remove or leave disabled an extension you do not trust. Avoid disabling security features as a general workaround.
Check VPN, proxy, and network sign-in. If you use a VPN or proxy, disconnect it briefly only if you trust the network and are permitted to do so, then test again. On public Wi-Fi, open a new browser tab and see whether the network’s sign-in page appears. Complete sign-in only through the expected network page; do not enter sensitive information into a page that still shows a certificate warning. Reconnect to your usual network afterward.
Clear the browser’s cached data for the site. In Edge, open Settings > Privacy, search, and services; in Chrome, open Settings > Privacy and security. Find the option to clear browsing data or site data. Remove cached images and files, or the affected site’s stored data, then restart the browser and retry. Clearing cookies may sign you out of websites. Menu wording can vary by browser version.
Check Windows updates and security software. Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, check for updates, and install available updates. If security software offers web or HTTPS scanning, review its help or settings rather than switching off protection broadly. On a work or school computer, ask the administrator before changing security or network settings.
Compare another device or network. If it is safe and convenient, try the site on another device on the same network, or on your Windows PC using a different trusted network. A warning limited to one device points toward its settings or software; a warning across devices on one network points toward the router, network filtering, or a sign-in requirement. Avoid changing router security settings without the network owner’s guidance.

Common Mistakes

Choosing “Proceed” or “Continue anyway.” This skips the browser’s certificate check; it does not repair the connection. Do not use it for banking, shopping, email, work accounts, or any site where you enter personal information.
Assuming every warning is caused by an old clock. Check the clock, but also consider a mistyped address, a site certificate issue, a captive Wi-Fi sign-in page, or network inspection software.
Turning off antivirus or firewall protection entirely. This can expose the device and may not solve the certificate problem. Use the security provider’s guidance, or ask an administrator.
Changing several settings at once. Test one change at a time so you can identify what fixed the issue and restore anything that did not help.

Tips

Read the browser’s full warning and note the site address and any certificate details it displays. The exact wording differs between browsers.
Keep Windows and your browser updated, and use the correct time zone. These steps help avoid common certificate and compatibility problems.
If the problem occurs only on a work or school network, provide the IT team with the address, browser, and time the warning appeared. Do not install certificates or change managed settings unless they instruct you to.
When testing a public Wi-Fi connection, do not submit passwords or payment details until the warning is gone and you have confirmed the site address.

Troubleshooting

The warning appears on one site in every browser: The site may have an expired, misconfigured, or mismatched certificate. Check the address carefully and try again later. If it continues, contact the site through a separate, trusted channel. There may be nothing to change on your PC.

The warning appears on many sites, but only on this PC: Confirm the Windows clock and time zone, restart the PC, and test another browser. Check whether a VPN, proxy, recently added extension, or security product is inspecting connections. If this is a managed PC, ask its administrator rather than removing certificates or changing policies yourself.

The warning appears only on one Wi-Fi network: Check for a legitimate network sign-in page and compare with another trusted connection. If every device on that network has the same problem, contact the network owner or internet provider. Do not enter credentials into an unexpected sign-in page.

Nothing helps: Write down the browser’s warning text, the website address, and whether other devices or networks are affected. Share that information with the website operator, your network administrator, or your internet provider. Keep the warning in place until the cause is understood.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is “Your connection is not private” a Windows 10 error?
It is usually a browser warning shown on Windows. The cause can be the PC’s clock, browser, network, or the website’s certificate.

Is it safe to continue to the website?
Not unless you have independently confirmed the cause and trust the connection. For sensitive information, do not bypass the warning.

Why does the warning happen on public Wi-Fi?
The network may require a sign-in page, or its filtering may interfere with certificate checks. Use only the expected sign-in process and avoid sensitive activity until the connection is verified.

Can clearing cookies fix the warning?
It can help with some browser or site-data problems, but it will not fix a faulty website certificate or an incorrect Windows clock. Clearing cookies may sign you out.

What if the warning is on every website?
Check date and time first, then test another browser and a different trusted network. If the problem remains, review VPN, proxy, or security software settings with help from the provider or administrator.

Will reinstalling the browser fix it?
Usually that is not the first step. Check the clock, network, extensions, and updates first; reinstalling may not resolve a certificate problem on the site or network.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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