6 Ways to Fix The Server You Are Connected to is Using a Security Certificate that Cannot be Verified Error

Microsoft Outlook is a great platform for professionals that lets them send and receive emails by accessing Microsoft Exchange Server email. Not just that but Outlook also help users manage their calendar, contacts, and tasks all in one place. Using Outlook is super easy and efficient too. However, sometimes Outlook users have complained to encounter the server you are connected to is using a security certificate that cannot be verified error. If you are one of those users then we have a perfect guide for you today that will help you fix the security certificate error on Outlook. So, let us begin with the doc and get the Outlook security alert certificate keeps popping up error fixed.

How to Fix The Server You Are Connected to is Using a Security Certificate that Cannot be Verified Error

Here, we have explained about the solutions to fix The server you are connected to is using a certificate that cannot be verified problem.

What Causes the Server you are Connected to is Using a Security Certificate that Cannot be Verified? 

Usually, security certificate error on Outlook is encountered due to network and connectivity problems. Also, one must check if the credentials they have used for the mail server are correct. This stops Outlook users from using the application. Let us have a look at the reasons behind security certificate error in detail below:

• Wrong Hostname: One of the common reasons why security certificate error occurs for Outlook users is typing the wrong hostname for a new MS Outlook account. Doing so will not leave any chance for connection and thus the error.
• Ports Blockage: Another reason behind the issue can be port blockage. This usually happens due to restrictions that blocks some of the SSL ports leading to no connection.
• Wrong Ports in Configuration: Outlook security certificate error can also result from entering the wrong port numbers for your mail server on configuring an account.
• Mail Server Changes: The next reason behind the error can lead to ISP changing the mail server’s name which redirects you to a new address from an old one as the new address is not on the SSL certificate list.
• Time and Date Issue: Wrong date and time settings of your device can also trigger this error message.
• Certificate Issue: Lastly, invalid certificates between the email client and the mail server can also cause the error. Invalid MS Outlook certificates for the mail server you are trying to connect to must therefore be checked.

To fix server issues in Outlook while trying to connect to it, there are a number of methods that you can approach and follow. These methods are listed below as per their effectiveness. You can follow the instructions given in the steps below to resolve this error.

Method 1: Match Certificate Name

As given in the causes leading to the security certificate error in Outlook, one of the main reasons behind it is the wrong hostname. Therefore, you must ensure that the certificate name is matched. To check it, you can follow the steps stated below:

1. On receiving the Outlook error message on your screen, choose to click on View Certificate… option.

2. Next, click on Issued to Name to ensure that the name there is the same as the name of the mail server.

3. If the name is not the same, change the name and try connecting again.

4. Once done, re-open Outlook and check if the error message is resolved.

Method 2: Use Hosting Domain Name

In case you were unable to resolve the Outlook security alert certificate keeps popping up by matching the certificate name, you can try using the domain name of your hosting as the mail server.

• A large number of domains are hosted by hosting providers.
• The same server for various domains is provided in case of shared hosting.
• If the hosting company does not renew the SSL certificate for every domain, a security error can arise.
• Therefore, you must use the domain name of your hosting company instead of the domain name of the mail server.
• For instance, you can use mail.yourhostingdomain.com instead of using mail.yourdomain.com.

Also Read: How to Recover Deleted Draft in Outlook 365

Method 3: Adjust Date and Time in Windows

The next method to resolve the server you are connected to is using a security certificate that cannot be verified error is by adjusting the date and time settings on your Windows device. Sometimes, the date and time settings of your Windows system can change automatically, and fixing them can help you resolve this error easily. Read our guide on 4 Ways to Change Date and Time in Windows 10 to attempt this method.

Method 4: Clear Internet Cache and History

You can also try clearing the internet cache and history of the browser you are using. Sometimes, due to a corrupt cache and history of your internet browser, you might encounter the server you are connected to is using a certificate that cannot be verified error. Therefore, you must clear your internet cache, and to do so, you can check our guide on How to Clear Cache and Cookies in Google Chrome.

Method 5: Add Non-SSL Ports

Due to blocked ports in places like colleges and universities, you might face issues in connecting to your mail server resulting in Outlook security alert certificate keeps popping up. Usually, the servers blocked are POP 995, SMTP 465, and IMAP 993. In this case, you can use non-SSL ports as they are not blocked. While these non-SSL ports are at risk of data theft, they also have some security parameters. You can use the following non-SSL ports to resolve the mentioned error:

• POP Port: 110
• IMAP Port: 143
• SMTP Port: 587

Also Read: 11 Solutions to Fix Outlook Error This Item Cannot Be Displayed in Reading Pane

Method 6: Change Outlook SMTP Port

The last method to resolve the server you are connected to is using a security certificate that cannot be verified error is to change the Outlook SMTP port. SMTP port 25 is blocked by many ISPs due to spamming. In case your ISP has also blocked this port, you can change the SMTP port to 26 with the help of the steps mentioned below:

1. Launch MS Outlook on your PC and click on the File option.

2. Next, select the Info tab and click on Account Settings.

3. Now, from the list, select the Account Settings… option.

4. Next, select your email account and click on Change…

5. Next, click on More Settings… and open the Advanced tab.

6. Now, change the Outgoing server (SMTP) to 26 and click on OK.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How can I fix the server security certificate error?

Ans. You can fix server security certificate errors by installing the intermediate certificate on your web server, generating a new certificate signing request, upgrading to a dedicated IP address, by changing all URLs to HTTPs, or by renewing your SSL certificate.

Q2. What happens when a certificate cannot be verified?

Ans. If a certificate cannot be verified, the browser blocks the website and warns the user that the website cannot be trusted. These warnings negatively impact users’ trust in the website.

Q3. How can I fix the certificate error on my computer?

Ans. You can get rid of the certificate error on your computer by changing its date and time settings, using the browser in incognito mode, clearing website cookies, resetting Google Chrome settings, disabling Chrome cache files, and removing Chrome extensions.

Q4. How can I fix Outlook not connecting to the server issue?

Ans. You can fix Outlook not connecting to the server by resolving your internet connection issues, disabling add-ins, and by using Outlook in safe mode.

Q5. Why does Outlook keep telling me to connect to the server?

Ans. If your Outlook application keeps telling you to connect to the server, it can be due to the remote location you are trying to contact with Microsoft 365 such as an email server, Internet location, file repository, or printer.

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We hope that our doc on the server you are connected to is using a security certificate that cannot be verified was helpful and guided you well with different ways to fix the error. Let us know which one of the methods helped you resolve the security certificate error in Outlook. You can also leave your suggestions and queries in the comments section below for us.