How to clear the SSL state in a browser

This article describes how to clear the SSL state for several popular web browsers.

Web browsers cache SSL certificates to speed up the browsing experience. Normally, this is not a problem. However, when you are developing pages for your web site or installing a new certificate, the browser's SSL state can get in the way. For example, you might not see the padlock icon in the browser's address bar after you install a new SSL certificate.

To clear the SSL state, follow the appropriate procedure below for your web browser.

Mozilla Firefox

To clear the SSL state in Firefox, follow these steps:

    On the History menu, click Clear Recent History . The Clear All History dialog appears.

Alternatively, press Ctrl-Shift-Delete to display the Clear All History dialog immediately.

Microsoft Edge

To clear the SSL state in Microsoft Edge, follow these steps:

  1. Click the Settings icon, click More tools , and then click Internet Options .
  2. Click the Content tab.
  3. In the Certificates section, click Clear SSL state , and then click OK .

Microsoft Internet Explorer

To clear the SSL state in Internet Explorer, follow these steps:

Internet Explorer - Settings icon

  1. To access the Delete Browsing History dialog:
  2. Click the Content tab.
  3. In the Certificates section, click Clear SSL state , and then click OK .

Google Chrome

You cannot directly clear the SSL state in Google Chrome. Instead, on Microsoft Windows follow these steps:

  1. Start the Windows Control Panel.
  2. In the Find a setting text box, type internet options , and then click Internet Options .
  3. Click the Content tab.
  4. In the Certificates section, click Clear SSL state , and then click OK .

Opera

To clear the SSL state in Opera, follow these steps:

  1. On the Tools menu, click Delete Private Data .
  2. To clear the cache, select the Delete entire cache check box.
  3. Click Delete .