How To Fix Outlook Certificate Error? Easy Tricks

Summary: In this article, you will find the effective solution of how to resolve Outlook certificate error messages? Here we also discuss the main reasons that can cause the Outlook certificate error. Sometimes, the corrupt PST files can cause this error that generates the need to use a PST file recovery tool.

MS Outlook is one of the most popular email clients that effectively manage all the email activities in the business world. Normally, it works smoothly but sometimes due to various reasons Outlook security certificate alerts keep popping up. It mainly occurs when we are trying to connect to an insecure mail server.

The error message appears as: The server you are connected to is using a security certificate that cannot be verified.

You can not access your email account through Microsoft Outlook without eliminating this error. Before discussing the methods of how to fix Outlook certificate error, let’s find out the possible reasons behind this issue.

What Causes Outlook Certificate Errors

The security certificate error message in Outlook might pop up when MS Outlook can not maintain the connection with an email account. Some of the main reasons behind this Outlook error are:

1. Invalid Security Certificate: An invalid security certificate between the mail server and the email client is one of the reasons for this error.
2. Time and Date Issue: Sometimes, this error message occurs due to the incorrect date and time of your computer.
3. ISP changes the domain name: The security certificate is assigned for a particular domain name. If the Internet Service Provider (ISP) has changed the mail server name then this new domain name must be updated in the certificate. Otherwise, it may cause errors in Microsoft Outlook.
4. Blocked SSL Ports: The places like schools, universities, and colleges, etc. have blocked some of the SSL ports. These SSL ports are used by MS Outlook’s email client which doesn’t allow you to connect with your email account.
5. Enter the wrong Hostname: You should check for the hostname while adding a new email account in Outlook. The wrong hostname doesn’t allow the connection between the email client and the server.

These are some common issues that cause the security error message in Outlook. Does any question arise in your mind like How do I fix certificate error in Outlook? Thus to get the solution, you need to follow the methods explained below.

Read here: Learn How to Use Inbox Repair Tool to Repair PST File

How to Fix Outlook Certificate Error?

Here, you will find out the most effective manual techniques that you can apply to resolve this issue. These methods will help you to fix the other common errors in Microsoft Outlook as well. There are multiple Outlook errors arises for the users among them Outlook keeps asking for password is common. Users can fix this error with the help of mentioned article.

• Check Certificate Name

First, you need to verify the certificate name in Outlook is the same as the name provided in the mail server. Perform the following steps to verify the certificate name in Outlook.

1. Click on the View Certificate when the security certificate error appears in Outlook.
2. Now, click on the Issued to Name option and verify the certificate name is the same as on the mail server.
3. If both the names are different then enter the same name as on the mail server.

Note: You should remember that it will not work if the certificate has multiple names. In that scenario, you have to try every hostname that is available and check if any of them works out. If not, then you need to contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for any changes made in their DNS.

• Use Non-SSL Port

Sometimes, the places like schools, universities, colleges, or government offices, etc. blocked the most commonly used SSL ports due to security reasons. These ports are SSL POP port 995, IMAP 993, and SMTP 465. In such a case, you need to add Non-SSL ports that are not blocked in those places. Some of the Non-SSL ports that you can use are:

1. POP Port: 110
2. IMAP Port: 143
3. SMTP Port: 587

• Use Domain Name Of Your Hosting As Your Mail Server

If you are using shared web hosting then you need to ensure that you are using the domain name of your hosting as your name server. Because in shared hosting, the hosting company provides the same mail server address to the various domains. They don’t renew the SSL certificate in fact they only expand it for their own domain.

Therefore, you should use the domain name of your hosting as your mail server to eliminate the Outlook certificate error.

Example – “mail.yourhostingdomain.com” instead of “mail.yourdomain.com”

• Change The Outgoing SMTP Server Port

You need to check your Outgoing SMTP port server if you are still searching for a solution of how to fix Outlook certificate error. Many internet service providers (ISP) have blocked SMTP port 25 because of spamming. You have to change it to some other port number. Execute the following steps to change your Outgoing SMTP Port:

• Select the File option after opening MS Outlook.
• Now, click on the Info tab. Select the Account Settings option.

• Then go to the Account Settings option from the list.

• Click on the Change button after selecting your email account.
• Now, select the More Settings and switch to the Advanced tab.

In the end, change the Outgoing SMTP Server Port and then click Ok to save the settings.

Note: You have to generate a certificate for those mail servers whose certificates have not been generated yet via Certificate Authority. Further, if you are installing a certificate, remember to install a custom certificate or a certificate that is specific to a particular mail server.

In most cases, the above methods provide a solution of how to fix Outlook certificate error. However, if you are still thinking about How Do I Fix a Security Certificate error in Outlook? Scan your PST file and check whether it is corrupted or not. If it is, opts with a professional Outlook PST Recovery tool to repair the PST files.

Professional Method To Fix Outlook Certificate Error

The Outlook certificate error may occur due to the corrupt PST files. You can recover your data from these corrupted files by using a PST file recovery tool. It is a reliable solution to repair and recover the data of your corrupt PST files.

Step By Step Procedure of Outlook PST Recovery Tool

• Download and Start the PST Recovery Tool.
• Now, choose the PST files that you need to repair.
• Select the recovery mode: Standard, Advanced or Deep.
• Click Ok to continue the scanning process.
• Now, preview your Outlook email folders.
• Here, you can also select the location to save the recovered PST files.
• Then click on the Ok button to start the saving process.
• Close the application after the saving process gets completed.
• Finally, you have repaired the PST files successfully.

Wind Up

Here, we discussed different manual solutions to fix the Outlook certificate error message and the possible reasons that can cause this error. Moreover, if this error occurs due to a corrupt PST file, use this professional solution and recover your data from the corrupted PST file with ease.

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