---
title: "ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID on WordPress: cause and fix"
description: "Managed WordPress hosts renew certificates on their own schedule, and a domain moved between hosts often keeps DNS pointing at the old host whose certificate…"
canonical: "https://lemwatch.com/errors/err-cert-date-invalid/in-wordpress"
source: "https://lemwatch.com"
---

# ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID on WordPress

> Managed WordPress hosts renew certificates on their own schedule, and a domain moved between hosts often keeps DNS pointing at the old host whose certificate has since lapsed.

## Why it happens on WordPress

 Managed WordPress hosts renew certificates on their own schedule, and a domain moved between hosts often keeps DNS pointing at the old host whose certificate has since lapsed.

## The fix on WordPress

 Confirm the A record points at the current host, then trigger a certificate reissue in the host's dashboard. Do not install a certificate manually on managed hosting — it will be overwritten.

## If that didn't fix it

 WordPress has its own failure mode, but ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID has a wider set of causes. The most common one overall is: The certificate expired and auto-renewal silently stopped.

 Renew immediately. For Let's Encrypt, run the renewal manually and read the output — the usual cause is a failing HTTP-01 challenge after a redirect or firewall change.

## Check your own domain

 The SSL checker returns the exact notAfter date and days remaining for the hostname, which immediately separates 'genuinely expired' from 'your clock is wrong'.

## Frequently asked questions

### Why does ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID happen on WordPress?

 Managed WordPress hosts renew certificates on their own schedule, and a domain moved between hosts often keeps DNS pointing at the old host whose certificate has since lapsed.

### How do I fix ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID on WordPress?

 Confirm the A record points at the current host, then trigger a certificate reissue in the host's dashboard. Do not install a certificate manually on managed hosting — it will be overwritten.

### What does ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID mean?

 The certificate the server presented is outside its validity window — almost always expired. Either the certificate genuinely lapsed, or the device's clock is wrong so a valid certificate looks expired.


## Related

- [All causes of ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID](https://lemwatch.com/errors/err-cert-date-invalid)
- [All website error codes](https://lemwatch.com/errors)
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- [ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID on Android](https://lemwatch.com/errors/err-cert-date-invalid/on-android)
- [ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID on Shopify](https://lemwatch.com/errors/err-cert-date-invalid/in-shopify)
- [Free SSL certificate check](https://lemwatch.com/tools/ssl-checker)
- [Website monitoring overview](https://lemwatch.com/website-monitoring)