When you’re using secure web connections, you might see the “unable to get local issuer certificate” error. This happens during the SSL handshake process, which is important for making a secure HTTPS connection. The error means the client can’t check the server’s SSL certificate with its own trusted certificates. It’s crucial to fix this issue for users trying to connect to a secure service and for developers keeping their applications secure.The problem comes from the digital certificates that internet protocols rely on to check connections. SSL certificates are issued by Certificate Authorities (CAs), and clients use a list of trusted CA certificates stored on their devices to validate the server’s certificate.
If the server’s certificate can’t be traced back to a trusted CA through its certificate chain, or if the right root certificates are missing or outdated on the client’s system, the check might fail and you’ll see this error. To fix the “unable to get local issuer certificate” error, make sure the certificate chain is complete and up to date. Fixes might include updating the client’s certificate store, setting up the server correctly, or temporarily turning off certificate checks to isolate the problem—although this isn’t recommended for production environments because it creates security risks.
Guide: How to Fix “Unable to Get Local Issuer Certificate” Error
The “Unable to get local issuer certificate” error is a common SSL/TLS issue encountered when an application or tool cannot verify the authenticity of a server’s SSL certificate. This usually happens because the client (your computer or software) doesn’t have the necessary Certificate Authority (CA) certificates to establish a trusted connection.
This guide explains what causes this error and how to fix it across different environments.
What Causes the “Unable to Get Local Issuer Certificate” Error?
- Missing or outdated CA certificates: Your system or application lacks the required trusted root or intermediate CA certificates.
- Self-signed certificates: Servers using self-signed certificates that aren’t trusted by default.
- Incomplete certificate chain: The server doesn’t provide the full certificate chain, causing validation failure.
- Network interception: Corporate firewalls or proxies replacing certificates with their own.
- Misconfigured SSL settings in client or server applications.
Common Scenarios Where This Error Occurs
- Using Git over HTTPS on Windows or Linux.
- Running
curlorwgetcommands to access HTTPS URLs. - Accessing APIs or web services via programming languages (Python, Node.js, etc.).
- Browsers or other SSL-enabled applications failing certificate validation.
How to Fix the Error
1. Update CA Certificates on Your System
Ensure your system’s CA certificates bundle is up to date.
- On Ubuntu/Debian:
sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install --reinstall ca-certificates - On RedHat/CentOS:
sudo yum update ca-certificates - On Windows:
Ensure Windows Update is current, as CA certificates are updated via Windows Update.
2. Configure Git to Use the Correct CA Bundle (If Using Git)
- Locate your Git
ca-bundle.crtfile (e.g.,C:\Program Files\Git\mingw64\ssl\certs\ca-bundle.crt). - You can specify the path explicitly:
git config --system http.sslCAInfo "C:/Program Files/Git/mingw64/ssl/certs/ca-bundle.crt" - Alternatively, disable SSL verification temporarily (not recommended for security reasons):
git config --global http.sslVerify false
3. Add Missing Intermediate or Root Certificates Manually
- Obtain the missing certificates from your server administrator or CA provider.
- Add them to your system’s trusted CA store or application’s certificate bundle.
4. For Self-Signed Certificates
- Add the self-signed certificate to your trusted certificates store.
- For Git, add the certificate to the Git CA bundle or configure Git to trust it.
5. Bypass SSL Verification (Not Recommended)
- For tools like
curl, use the-kor--insecureflag to ignore SSL errors:curl -k https://example.com - This should only be used as a last resort or in trusted environments.
6. Check Server Certificate Chain
- Use online tools like SSL Labs to verify if the server provides a complete and correct certificate chain.
- If incomplete, ask the server admin to fix the chain by including intermediate certificates.
Summary Table
| Cause | Fix | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Missing CA certificates | Update CA bundle on system or app | Most common cause |
| Self-signed certificate | Add cert to trusted store | Requires manual intervention |
| Incomplete certificate chain | Fix server cert chain | Server-side fix needed |
| Git misconfiguration | Set proper http.sslCAInfo | Applies to Git only |
| Network interception | Use trusted proxy or add proxy certs | Corporate environments |
| Temporary workaround | Disable SSL verification (not secure) | Use only if necessary |
Additional Resources
- Git SSL Certificate Problem Fix
- How to Fix Unable to Get Local Issuer Certificate Error
- Cloudways Guide on Git SSL Certificate Issues
Conclusion
The “Unable to get local issuer certificate” error typically means your system or application doesn’t trust the SSL certificate presented by the server. Updating your CA certificates, configuring your tools correctly, and ensuring the server sends a full certificate chain usually resolves the issue. Always avoid disabling SSL verification unless absolutely necessary, as it compromises security.
Fixing Certificate Errors on Your Computer
The “Unable to Get Local Issuer Certificate” error can pop up in various situations – when browsing specific websites, using particular software, or during Git operations. This error means your computer is unable to verify the authenticity of a website or application’s security certificate. Let’s break down what’s happening and how to troubleshoot it.
Why Does This Error Occur?
- Missing Root Certificate: Your computer relies on “root certificates” from trusted authorities to verify other certificates. If the necessary root certificate is missing, this error occurs.
- Outdated Root Certificates: Root certificates can expire, and not updating them causes problems.
- Incorrect Time & Date: Incorrect system time settings can cause certificate validity issues.
- Conflicting Software: Antivirus, firewall, or VPN software can sometimes interfere with certificate verification.
Troubleshooting Steps
Here’s a breakdown of solutions you can try:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Check Date & Time – Ensure your computer’s time and date settings are accurate. An incorrect date can cause expired certificate warnings. |
| 2 | Update Root Certificates – Operating systems usually handle this automatically. In Windows, try using the “Windows Update” function. For macOS, updates are often included in system updates. |
| 3 | Manually Add the Certificate – If you trust the source, you can sometimes download the missing root certificate directly from the website or software provider. Caution: Only do this if you’re absolutely certain of the source’s trustworthiness. |
| 4 | Temporarily Disable Interfering Software – If you suspect your antivirus, firewall, or VPN is causing this, try temporarily disabling them to see if it resolves the issue. |
Important Note: If you’re encountering this error within a corporate or organizational setting, consult your IT administrator. They may have specific security policies in place.
Key Takeaways
- SSL handshake issues can lead to verification errors when connecting to HTTPS services.
- Certificate verification may fail if the client’s trust store is outdated or incomplete.
- Resolving these errors ensures secure and trustworthy communication between clients and servers.
Understanding SSL Certificates and Related Errors
When browsers and servers talk, SSL certificates keep the conversation safe. But sometimes, things go wrong, and errors pop up.
Basics of SSL/TLS and Certificates
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and TLS (Transport Layer Security) are the security blankets of the internet. They create encrypted links between a web server and a browser, ensuring that all data passed remains private and secure. An SSL certificate is a digital passport that provides authentication for a website and enables an encrypted connection. These certificates contain a public key and the identity of the owner. There are three types of certificates in the chain of trust:
- Root certificate: The ultimate seal of trust issued by a Certificate Authority (CA).
- Intermediate certificate: A go-between for the root and the end-user certificate.
- End-user certificate: The certificate used by the website you visit.
Certificates are verified to ensure they come from a trusted source.
Common SSL Certificate Errors and Causes
Sometimes, things don’t go as planned, and you might encounter an SSL certificate error. A frequent one is the “unable to get local issuer certificate”. Here’s a simple breakdown:
- The root certificate is not in the local database that your computer checks against.
- An intermediate certificate may be missing in the certificate chain.
Specific SSL errors like the SSLCertVerificationError or the message “certificate verify failed” mean that your system can’t verify the certificate’s origins. It’s like getting a passport without a country’s stamp: browsers and servers get cautious.
Errors can be spotted with tools built into web browsers, or through command line tools such as Git or npm, letting you know when your digital conversations lack proper security or when there’s a hiccup finding who to trust.
Resolving ‘Unable to Get Local Issuer Certificate’ Errors
When you’re stuck with the ‘unable to get local issuer certificate’ message, it means your system can’t verify the SSL/TLS certificate of the server you’re connecting to. Don’t worry, this section guides you through getting everything back on track.
Troubleshooting Certifi Package Issues
Certifi provides Mozilla’s collection of root certificates for validating SSL certs and making HTTPS requests. If you’re using tools like requests in Python, ensure the Certifi package is up to date. Run pip install --upgrade certifi in your terminal. If issues persist, set the ‘REQUESTS_CA_BUNDLE’ environment variable to the path of the ‘cacert.pem’ file from Certifi.
Configuring Git and Version Control Systems
For Git, incorrect SSL settings can prevent operations such as push and clone. In a Git Bash or terminal session, check your SSL settings by running git config --list. You may need to specify the path to a trusted certificate store using git config --global http.sslCAInfo /path/to/cacert.pem. Check if Git is using the proper SSL backend with git config --global http.sslBackend schannel on Windows, especially if your Git server uses a self-signed certificate.
Adjusting Verification Settings in Browsers and Tools
Sometimes, the simplest solution in browsers or tools like Postman is to disable SSL certificate verification. Look for a setting named ‘SSL certificate verification’ and turn it off. Be aware that this is insecure and only suitable for testing in a safe environment. For a more secure approach, import the correct root CA certificate into the tool’s trusted certificate store.
Managing Certificates in Development Environments
During development, if you encounter certificate problems while using technology like Node.js, introduce the root CA certificate. Setting the ‘NODE_EXTRA_CA_CERTS’ environment variable to your ‘pem’ file’s location can help. Use PowerShell on Windows to add certificates to the system using the Import-Certificate cmdlet in administrator mode. This helps Node.js and other dependencies use the right certificates during an HTTPS handshake.
Frequently Asked Questions
This section directly tackles some common queries related to the ‘unable to get local issuer certificate’ error and offers clear solutions.
How do I resolve the ‘unable to get local issuer certificate’ error encountered in Postman?
In Postman, the error typically arises due to SSL certificate verification issues. To solve it, navigate to the Settings in Postman, find the ‘General’ tab, and turn off the ‘SSL certificate verification.’ This adjustment allows Postman to bypass the check.
What steps should be taken to fix the ‘unable to get local issuer certificate’ issue when installing packages with npm?
For npm, setting a strict-ssl parameter to false temporarily can help. Run npm config set strict-ssl false in the terminal. Remember to switch it back to true after your immediate task to maintain security.
How can I address SSL certificate validation failures when using Python requests module?
When using the requests module in Python, pass the path of a local certificate to the verify parameter. It can go like requests.get('https://example.com', verify='/path/to/certfile'). Ensure the certificate path is correct and the certificate is up to date.
What are the common causes for receiving the ‘unable to get local issuer certificate’ error during curl commands?
For curl commands, a missing or outdated CA bundle can lead to this error. One can specify a different CA bundle with the --cacert option or disable SSL certificate verification using -k or --insecure. However, the insecure option should be used cautiously.
How do I fix the ‘unable to get local issuer certificate’ error in Visual Studio Code when synchronizing with Git?
In Visual Studio Code, when syncing with Git, check if Git is configured to trust your certificate authority. Adjust the Git settings to recognize the correct SSL backend or the path to the CA bundle.
What should I do if I encounter the ‘unable to get local issuer certificate’ error while trying to use yarn in my development environment?
When dealing with yarn, you can bypass the SSL certificate check by running yarn config set "strict-ssl" false. Just like with npm, you should ensure that’s not left off permanently to keep your system secure.
