ERR_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT_BAD_FORMAT -164

Net error -164

BROWSER

Failed to import a client certificate from the platform store into the SSL library.

Browser error page with a network error code and a checklist of likely causes
Browser network errors: rule out your connection first, then the site.

What it means

ERR_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT_BAD_FORMAT is a Browser error code reported by Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and other Chromium browsers. Its official message is: “Failed to import a client certificate from the platform store into the SSL library.”

How to fix ERR_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT_BAD_FORMAT

  1. Reload the page once — single transient failures heal themselves immediately
  2. Flush DNS: 'ipconfig /flushdns' on Windows, 'dscacheutil -flushcache' on macOS
  3. Disable VPN, proxy settings and your antivirus web shield, then retry
  4. Test the same page from mobile data or another device to isolate YOUR setup from the site
  5. Bypass performance extensions: open a private window, disable ad-blockers and retry

Related errors

ERR_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_NO_COMMON_ALGORITHMSERR_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_SIGNATURE_FAILEDERR_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_CERT_NO_PRIVATE_KEYERR_SSL_CLIENT_AUTH_PRIVATE_KEY_ACCESS_DENIEDERR_SOCKET_SEND_BUFFER_SIZE_UNCHANGEABLEERR_SOCKET_RECEIVE_BUFFER_SIZE_UNCHANGEABLEERR_ICANN_NAME_COLLISION

Source: Chromium net_error_list.h

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