Fixing ‘Secure Connection Failed’ in Firefox When Connecting to Power Apps
Introduction: Experiencing a “Secure Connection Failed” alert in Firefox can be concerning, especially when it comes with an error code like SEC_ERROR_OCSP_INVALID_SIGNING_CERT. This particular issue is frequently encountered by users trying to access Power Apps. This article will provide a detailed guide on why this error occurs and how to effectively address it. Should you need more personalized assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us.
An unexpected hurdle that surfaced while attempting to access Power Apps through Firefox was the subsequent error message:
An error occurred during a connection to make.powerapps.com. Invalid OCSP signing certificate in OCSP response.
Error code: SEC_ERROR_OCSP_INVALID_SIGNING_CERT
The page you are endeavoring to access cannot be displayed as the legitimacy of the incoming data cannot be corroborated.
This puzzling error is linked to OCSP (Online Certificate Status Protocol), a protocol web browsers employ to determine the revocation status of a digital certificate. The error implies that the HTTPS certificate for make.powerapps.com may be compromised or invalid.
After conducting some online research, a common suggestion was to disable OCSP through the about:config settings in Firefox. However, this isn’t recommended since it can potentially compromise the browser’s security.
Steps to Diagnose Connection Issues:
For any Power Apps-related connectivity or authentication dilemmas, an effective initial step is to try a different web browser. As alternatives, one might consider clearing cookies and browsing data or utilizing the in-private or incognito modes of the browser.
During a test with Microsoft Edge, the root of the issue became evident — the computer’s date and time were misconfigured. A notification appeared:
Your clock is lagging. A private connection to make.powerapps.com couldn’t be established due to your computer’s inaccurate date and time (Friday, 18 February 2022 at 07:07:48).
This misconfiguration was the result of a series of power interruptions triggered by intense storms in the UK. The machine in question had its internal clock reset, and the time displayed was several days outdated. Adjusting the time settings promptly resolved the issue, and accessing Power Apps was smooth again.
Conclusion: Always consider trying an alternative browser when troubleshooting connectivity obstacles. If confronted with the SEC_ERROR_OCSP_INVALID_SIGNING_CERT error on Firefox, it’s highly probable that the device’s date and time settings are incorrect. Adjusting these settings will likely address the problem. If you ever encounter challenges or need further clarification on this topic or other technical matters, please reach out to us for expert assistance.
