Summary: Like other errors of Outlook, Outlook certificate error is also common. You can resolve it by knowing the reasons behind it. With the help of manual solutions discussed in this blog, users can resolve this error or go with automated recovery tools. With automated ways, users can efficiently fix Outlook errors in no time.
Microsoft Outlook is a leading and popular email client that offers several features. Still users can get some errors while managing emails. Outlook certificate error is one such error. In this article, we will talk on this specific error and suggest the best solutions to resolve it.
Outlook security certificate is a digital certificate to secure emails on Outlook. Its basic use is to sign in emails in Outlook so that receiver can ensure that the emails are actually sent from a legitimate person & has not been modified by another person. If you are having issues with Outlook certificate and you are facing any error because of various reasons, then read this post. Before this, know reasons for Outlook certificate error.
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Reasons For Outlook Certificate Error
Given below are the most-probable reasons for this error.
Invalid Security Certificate
This is the main reason behind Outlook security certificate error. If your security certificate is having any issues or it is invalid then you will unable to connect to Outlook and hence get this error.
Incorrect Date and Time
The incorrect date and time on your computer can also occur this error. If the date has passed the expiration of security certificate, this error will pop-up.
Changes By ISP
ISP (Internet Service Provider) usually changes the domain name and also do changes in Outlook certificates. In case you are using an old version, you may face this error.
Incorrect Hostname
Mistakes or wrong hostname entered while configuring the account in Outlook will also show Outlook certificate error.
After the reasons for Outlook security error are clear. Let us move towards the methods to resolve this error.
Related Post: How to Repair Outlook 2019 and 2016 PST File
Methods To Fix Security Certificate Error in MS Outlook
You can use the below-mentioned methods to fix Outlook error.
- Correct Certificate Name
With this method, you can reduce the possibility of Outlook certificate error. Ensure the name of the certificate and mail server is the same for fixing this error. When both these names match then only the connection between server and the email client is established. Here are the steps to verify the certificate name.
- When the security error pop-up, go to View Certificate option.
- Now select Issue to name option and verify that both the mail server and certificate name is same.
- If they are different, change them and restart the program.
Note that if the certificate show multiple names, then try & enter each name at once.
- Use Domain Name of Host company as server
This method is suggested for shared web hosting servers. As shared web hosting company manages various mail servers on various domains, it can lead to certificate issues. The mail server address remains the same for all domains which create issue for security certificate. Moreover, the web hosting company does not want to change SSL for each domain owing to its cost, & they do this only for their domain name.
To resolve the issue, it is advised to choose the domain name of hosting company as your mail server.
- Adding non-SSL Ports
Due to privacy and security reasons, various networks blocks few popular mail servers and SSL ports like SSL POP Port 995, IMAP 993, & SMTP 465. It is mostly happened in colleges, schools, and universities that they get Outlook certificate error.
In such case, you can take help of non-SSL ports and add them. Users can use these ports and try connecting them as they may not be blocked on the network.
Here are some non- SSL ports that you can use –
POP Non-SSL Port: 110
IMAP Non-SSL Port: 143
SMTP Non-SSL Port: 587
- Change Outgoing SMTP Port
By changing incoming SMTP Port number and settings, you can get rid of Outlook certificate error problem. Some outgoing ports are blocked due to spamming & other reasons that prevent proper connection. Here are the steps to change Outgoing SMTP Port in Outlook.
- Launch Outlook and then go to File Tab.
- Click on Info option and choose Account Settings.
- Click on Account Settings in drop-down.
- Choose your email id and press Change button
- In new tab, press More Settings icon
- Go to Advanced tab in Internet Email Settings window.
- Change the Outgoing Server (SMTP) option and then click OK.
Note: We suggest not installing any certificate unless it is a particular certificate that caters only a selective email server. Install the certificate if it is a custom one. You can also autodiscover configuration to examine Outlook certificate error autodiscover issue.
If the above manual solutions fail to resolve Outlook certificate error then there is possibility that the PST file is corrupt. Many times, Outlook security certificate error arises due to corruption in PST file.
To resolve this problem, use Sysessential PST Repair Application. It is a smart application that recovers & repair corrupt & damaged Outlook PST files. Also, the software supports saving the recovered data in various formats like EML, MSG, MBOX, etc.
Ending Lines
Through this blog, we have discussed reasons for Outlook certificate error. You must know the reasons to avoid the possibility of this error. We have also listed manual ways to fix this error. They can fix this error but are not always effective. If the error occurs because of corruption in PST file, you can fix it with the help of professional software. It smoothly repairs Outlook PST files without risk of data loss.