Having Pidgin SSL Certificate Error? Here’s The Fix

By Damien / / Linux

pidgin-ssl-error

Update: The latest version of Pidgin (2.7.7) has fixed this issue. For Windows users, uninstall your current version, download and install the latest version. For Ubuntu users, add the following PPA and update your system:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:pidgin-developers/ppa
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade

If you are using Pidgin to connect to your MSN messenger, you will probably receive the SSL certificate error message. it’s kinda irritating and prevents you from connecting to your MSN account. Here’s the fix.

1. Go to https://omega.contacts.msn.com/

2. On the URL bar, click on the security lock (usually just in front of the URL). Click on the certificate information.

pidgin-certificate-information

3. Go to the Detail tab and click the “Export” button. Save the file as “omega.contacts.msn.com” (without the quotes).

pidgin-export-certificate

4. Copy and paste this file to
“/home/your-username/.purple/certificates/x509/tls_peers/omega.contacts.msn.com”. When prompted, select “Replace” to replace the existing file.

That’s it. Open your Pidgin and the SSL certificate error will be gone.

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Damien Damien

Damien Oh started writing tech articles since 2007 and has over 10 years of experience in the tech industry. He is proficient in Windows, Linux, Mac, Android and iOS, and worked as a part time WordPress Developer. He is currently the owner and Editor-in-Chief of Make Tech Easier.

29 comments

    1. It is probably because the Microsoft renewed the SSL certificate, causing the old one to be invalid.

  2. Hmmm… I followed these instructions, and I’m still getting the error. It’s getting really annoying.

  5. When I click on that link I get an error message:

    Directory Listing Denied
    This Virtual Directory does not allow contents to be listed.

    1. If you’re using firefox there will still be a lock icon in the status bar at the bottom. You get the security information by clicking it even though the page has an error. I had the same trouble at first

      1. It’s expected to see the Directory Listing Denied page. Just click on the icon beside the URL and follow the above steps to export the certificate.

  6. If you are on a windows system the path where the”omega.omega.contacts.msn.com” should be placed is:
    C:Usersyour-usernameAppDataRoaming.purplecertificatesx509tls_peers
    thank you Damien for the help!

  7. Where do you save it in pidgin portable? In certificate folder there is no “omega.contacts.msn.com” file

    1. You need to put the certificate in the following folder :
      YourDrive:PidginPortableDatasettings.purplecertificatesx509tls_peers

  8. Thanks for this. For those having problems, make sure the file that you copy into the folder overwrites the old one (ie. they should both have the same file name)

  12. https://omega.contacts.msn.com/

    Directory Listing Denied
    This Virtual Directory does not allow contents to be listed.

    1. Meridian, SSL negotiations are done before the first HTTP GET request. The cert is still exportable by the steps above.

  14. I tried with Firefox but couldn’t find the info, tried with Chrome and voila! Now Pidgin is working!

  17. euh, that is a complicated fix for a simple (and stupid) issue. just mv/delete the the current certificate and when you connect you will get the new certificate. done.

  18. I tried it on my own Manu, but no… it didn’t get new certificate… just the error.
    But the workaround solved the problem.
    THX!

    1. Be sure to highlight the *.contacts.msn.com (not above) and export this as omega.contacts.msn.com into ~/.purple/certificates/x509/tls_peers (overwrite as needed), then restart pidgin (or maybe just re-login).

  21. try to reinstall it, go to pidgin website in downloads section, :P

    this is what they put in the pidgins website:
    “Pidgin 2.7.7 completely fixes the MSN certificate issue, enables multiple MSN logins, and fixes the AIM SSL Handshake Failure error.”

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