SOLVED: Safari Can’t Verify the Identity of the Website Error Message
- Blog
- September 22, 2022
If you’re seeing the “Safari can’t verify the identity of the website” error message on your Safari browser, it means that Safari is unable to verify the SSL certificate for the website you’re trying to visit. This can happen for a number of reasons, but the most common cause is that the website’s SSL certificate is either self-signed or not from a trusted Certificate Authority.
If you’re absolutely certain that you want to visit the website in question despite the warning message, you can do so by adding an exception for that website in your Safari settings. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Open Safari and click on the Safari menu in the top left corner of your screen.
2. Select Preferences from the drop-down menu.
3. In the Preferences window, click on the Websites tab.
4. In the left sidebar, select the website that you’re having trouble accessing from the list.
5. In the right sidebar, under the Security section, find the entry for Web Security and click on the drop-down menu next to it.
6. Select Disable from the menu.
Once you’ve added the exception, you should be able to access the website without any problem.
Table of Contents
SOLVED: Safari Can’t Verify the Identity of the Website Error Message
Introduction
If you’ve ever seen the error message “Safari can’t verify the identity of the website,” you’re not alone. This error message can be caused by a number of factors, including incorrect date and time settings on your computer, or a problem with the website’s security certificate. In most cases, it’s a simple matter to fix the problem and get Safari back up and running.
What Causes the Error?
The Safari Can’t Verify the Identity of the Website error message occurs when Safari is unable to verify the SSL certificate of the website you’re trying to visit. This can be caused by a number of factors, including:
-The website’s SSL certificate is self-signed or not from a trusted root authority
-The website is using an outdated or unsupported SSL protocol
-There is a problem with the website’s DNS configuration
-Your computer’s date and time are not set correctly
If you’re seeing this error message, it means that Safari is unable to establish a secure connection with the website you’re trying to visit. This can be caused by a number of different factors, but the most common cause is that the website’s SSL certificate is not from a trusted root authority.
If you’re unsure of whether or not the website you’re trying to visit is trustworthy, you can always try visiting it in another browser. If the website loads without any problems in another browser, then it’s most likely that the problem is with Safari and not the website itself.
If you’re confident that the website you’re trying to visit is safe and you’re still seeing the Safari Can’t Verify the Identity of the Website error message, you can try the following troubleshooting steps:
-Make sure your computer’s date and time are set correctly
-Clear your Safari browsing history and cookies
-Reset your Safari settings
-Update your version of Safari
-If you’re using a VPN, make sure that it’s properly configured
If you’re still seeing the Safari Can’t Verify the Identity of the Website error message after trying all of the above troubleshooting steps, it’s possible that there is a problem with the website’s DNS configuration. In this case, you can try using a different DNS server.
How to Fix the Error
If you’re seeing the “Safari can’t verify the identity of the website” error message, it means that Safari is unable to establish a secure connection with the website you’re trying to visit. This can be caused by a number of factors, including outdated security certificates, incorrect date and time settings, and interference from other software on your computer.
Here are a few troubleshooting steps you can try to fix the error:
Check your date and time settings: Make sure that your computer’s date and time are set correctly. Incorrect date and time settings can cause Safari to misidentify websites, and as a result, you may see the “Safari can’t verify the identity of the website” error message.
To check your date and time settings:
Go to the Apple menu and choose System Preferences.
Click on Date & Time.
Ensure that the Set date and time automatically option is selected.
If the option is not selected, click the checkbox to enable it.
Click the Lock icon to prevent further changes, and enter your password when prompted.
Update your software: Outdated software can also cause the “Safari can’t verify the identity of the website” error. Make sure that you’re running the latest versions of macOS, Safari, and all other software on your computer.
To update your software:
Go to the Apple menu and choose App Store.
Click on the Updates tab.
Install any available updates.
Reset your network settings: If you’re still seeing the “Safari can’t verify the identity of the website” error message, resetting your network settings may fix the problem. This will remove any custom network settings you’ve configured, so be sure to note down any settings you need to re-enter before proceeding.
To reset your network settings:
Go to the Apple menu and choose System Preferences.
Click on Network.
Click the Action menu (the gear icon) and choose Reset Network Settings.
Click Reset to confirm.
Reinstall Safari: If resetting your network settings doesn’t fix the problem, you may need to reinstall Safari. This will delete all your Safari data, including your browsing history, bookmarks, and cookies, so be sure to backup your data before proceeding.
To reinstall Safari:
Go to the Apple menu and choose App Store.
Search for “Safari” and click Get.
Click Install.
If you’re still seeing the “Safari can’t verify the identity of the website” error message after trying all of the above troubleshooting steps, contact Apple Support for further assistance.
Conclusion
If you encounter the “Safari can’t verify the identity of the website” error message, there are a few potential causes. The most likely culprit is that the website’s security certificate is not up to date. Another possibility is that your computer’s date and time settings are incorrect. You can try updating the security certificate or correcting the date and time settings and see if that resolves the issue. If not, there may be a problem with your computer’s DNS settings. You can try flushing the DNS cache or changing the DNS server and see if that helps. If you’re still having trouble, you can try contacting the website’s administrator or your ISP for further assistance.
FAQs
Question:
What does the error “Safari can’t verify the identity of the website” mean?
Answer:
This error message appears when Safari is unable to verify the security certificate of the website you are trying to visit. This can happen for a number of reasons, including outdated security certificates, misconfigured servers, or malware. If you see this message, it’s best to err on the side of caution and not proceed to the website in question.
