Fix SSL Error: "python ssl certificate_verify

If you’ve encountered the dreaded python ssl certificate_verify_failed error while running Python code that makes HTTPS requests, you’re not alone.

This frustrating SSL certificate verification failure can prevent your Python scripts from connecting to secure websites and APIs.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into the causes of the python ssl certificate_verify_failed error and provide step-by-step solutions to fix it.

Understanding the python ssl certificate_verify_failed Error

The python ssl certificate_verify_failed error occurs when Python’s SSL/TLS certificate verification process fails. This typically happens for one of the following reasons:

The SSL certificate of the server you’re connecting to is invalid, expired, or self-signed.
Your Python environment is missing the necessary root SSL certificates.
A proxy or firewall is interfering with the SSL certificate verification process.

When Python encounters an SSL certificate it can’t verify, it raises the SSLCertVerificationError with the message “certificate verify failed,” leading to the python ssl certificate_verify_failed error.

Fixing the python ssl certificate_verify_failed Error

Solution 1: Update certifi Package

The certifi package provides a collection of root certificates for SSL/TLS verification. Updating this package to the latest version can often resolve the python ssl certificate_verify_failed error. Here’s how:

Open a terminal or command prompt.
Run the following command to update certifi:

   pip install --upgrade certifi

Restart your Python script or application.

If updating certifi doesn’t fix the error, proceed to the next solution.

Solution 2: Specify SSL Certificate Path

If updating the certifi didn’t work, you can try explicitly specifying the path to the SSL certificate bundle. Here’s how:

Download the latest SSL certificate bundle from the certifi repository:

   curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/certifi/python-certifi/master/certifi/cacert.pem

In your Python code, set the REQUESTS_CA_BUNDLE environment variable to the path of the downloaded certificate bundle:

   import os
   os.environ['REQUESTS_CA_BUNDLE'] = '/path/to/cacert.pem'

Run your Python script again.

By explicitly specifying the SSL certificate path, Python will use the provided certificate bundle for SSL verification, potentially resolving the python ssl certificate_verify_failed error.

Solution 3: Disable SSL Certificate Verification (Not Recommended)

If the previous solutions didn’t work and you’re in a controlled environment, you can choose to disable SSL certificate verification altogether. However, this is not recommended for production environments as it compromises security.

Here’s how to disable SSL verification:

In your Python code, add the following line before making HTTPS requests:

   import ssl
   ssl._create_default_https_context = ssl._create_unverified_context

Run your Python script.

By disabling SSL certificate verification, Python will no longer check the validity of SSL certificates, effectively bypassing the python ssl certificate_verify_failed error.

Use this solution with caution and only in trusted environments.

Preventing python ssl certificate_verify_failed Error

To prevent the python ssl certificate_verify_failed error from occurring in the future, consider the following best practices:

Keep your Python environment and packages up to date, especially certifi and requests.
Ensure that the servers you’re connecting to have valid and up-to-date SSL certificates.
If using a proxy or firewall, configure it to allow SSL/TLS traffic and certificate verification.
Avoid disabling SSL certificate verification unless absolutely necessary and in controlled environments.

Common Causes of python ssl certificate_verify_failed Error

Let’s explore some common causes of the python ssl certificate_verify_failed error in more detail:

Expired or Invalid SSL Certificate:
If the SSL certificate of the server you’re connecting to has expired or is invalid, Python will fail to verify it, resulting in the error. Ensure that the server’s SSL certificate is valid and up to date.
Self-Signed SSL Certificate:
Self-signed SSL certificates are not trusted by default because they are not issued by a recognized Certificate Authority (CA). If you’re connecting to a server with a self-signed certificate, you may encounter the python ssl certificate_verify_failed error. In this case, you can either install the self-signed certificate locally or disable SSL verification (not recommended for production).
Missing or Outdated Root Certificates:
Python relies on a set of root certificates to verify the authenticity of SSL certificates. If your Python environment is missing the necessary root certificates or they are outdated, the SSL verification process may fail. Updating the certifi package or explicitly specifying the path to an up-to-date certificate bundle can resolve this issue.
Proxy or Firewall Interference:
If you’re behind a proxy server or firewall, it may interfere with the SSL certificate verification process. Ensure that your proxy or firewall is configured to allow SSL/TLS traffic and certificate verification. You may need to specify proxy settings in your Python code or environment variables.

Troubleshooting python ssl certificate_verify_failed Error

If you’ve tried the solutions mentioned above and are still encountering the python ssl certificate_verify_failed error, here are some additional troubleshooting steps:

Check SSL Certificate Validity:
Use an SSL checker tool to verify the validity of the SSL certificate of the server you’re connecting to. Make sure the certificate is valid, up to date, and issued by a trusted Certificate Authority.
Verify Python and Package Versions:
Ensure that you have the latest version of Python and the required packages installed. Outdated versions may have compatibility issues or lack the necessary SSL certificates. You can check your Python version by running:

   python --version

To check the version of a specific package (e.g., requests), run:

   pip show requests

Inspect SSL Certificate Details:
If you have access to the SSL certificate file, you can inspect its details using the openssl command-line tool. Run the following command:

   openssl x509 -in certificate.crt -text -noout

Replace certificate.crt with the path to your SSL certificate file.

This command will display detailed information about the certificate, including its validity dates, issuer, and subject.

Check Proxy Settings:
If you’re using a proxy server, ensure that it is configured correctly in your Python code or environment variables. You may need to set the http_proxy and https_proxy variables or use the proxies parameter in the requests library. Example using requests:

   import requests

   proxies = {
       'http': 'http://proxy_url:port',
       'https': 'http://proxy_url:port'
   }

   response = requests.get('https://example.com', proxies=proxies)

Conclusion

Encountering the python ssl certificate_verify_failed error can be frustrating, but with the right approach, it can be resolved. By understanding the common causes and following the solutions outlined in this guide, you should be able to fix the SSL certificate verification failure and ensure secure connections in your Python code.

Remember to keep your Python environment and packages up to date, use valid and trusted SSL certificates, and configure proxies and firewalls appropriately.

If you’re still facing issues, don’t hesitate to seek further assistance from the Python community or consult the documentation of the specific libraries you’re using.

With these tips and tricks, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle the python ssl certificate_verify_failed error and build robust Python applications that handle SSL/TLS connections seamlessly.

Fix SSL Error: “python ssl certificate_verify_failed”