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I lost many hours while setting up some self-signed certificates; the problem turned out to be that the browser (Chrome) cached a bad version of the certificate and then just wouldn't let go. I did lots of experimentation modifying the certificate, only to learn these experiments were testing nothing because the browser was not reading the new versions of the certificate.

Eventually, I clicked on the "not valid" indicator which shows up in the browser's address bar, just to the left of the URL. Who knew that this was an active element? Clicking on it allowed me to see browser's version of the certificate. The expiration date and time didn't match the newest certificate; that's how I knew the browser was using the wrong version.

I found another, similar question on StackExchange, but none of the answers worked for me. (The Chrome "settings" interface keeps changing.) So what does work on Chrome version 81, to clear the certificate cache?

IAM_AL_X
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3 Answers3

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I believe the following is the minimum required to clear the certificates out of the cache in Chrome 81.

  • From the 3-dot menu (upper, far right), click "Settings". This opens a new tab.

  • Just to reduce variables, I closed all other tabs.

  • In the "Settings" tab, select "Privacy and security".

  • Choose "Clear browsing data -- Clear history, cookies, cache, and more"

  • In the "Clear browsing data" pop-up panel, put a check-mark at "Site Settings". Probably you can make everything else unchecked. (Note that if you don't uncheck "Cached images and files," it can take the computer several minutes to handle that task. So, uncheck it.)

  • Click the "Clear data" button.

  • When that task finishes, I recommend shutting down Chrome, and restarting it.

I tried a lot of stuff. I believe this was the action plan that actually made a difference.

IAM_AL_X
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If nothing else works, delete your google chrome profile/settings directory from file system. Just notify your OS to give you instructions.

Krackout
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Did anyone find a practical solution for this?

I can just open an incognito window and do it from there, but I would prefer to just have the site that needs the certificate in my normal browser instance and have it request the certificate again.

(if the clearing the cache takes more time then setup the additional settings in an incognito window it doesn't make sense)

Ken
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