SSL Not Working — Troubleshooting Guide

SSL issues can prevent your website from loading securely. This guide covers common SSL problems and their solutions.

Common SSL Issues

1. "Your Connection Is Not Private" / "NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID"

Cause: SSL certificate has expired.

Fix:

1. Log in to your hosting panel (cPanel/DirectAdmin/Plesk).
2. Go to SSL/TLS settings.
3. Run AutoSSL or request a new Let's Encrypt certificate.
4. If using a paid SSL, renew it with your certificate provider.

2. "Mixed Content" Warning (No Padlock)

Cause: Your page loads some resources (images, scripts, CSS) over HTTP instead of HTTPS.

Fix:

1. Update all URLs in your CMS to use `https:// or relative URLs (//`).
2. For WordPress, install the Really Simple SSL plugin.
3. Check your theme and plugin settings for hardcoded HTTP URLs.
4. Update the Site URL and Home URL in WordPress settings to use HTTPS.

3. "ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR"

Cause: SSL certificate is not properly installed or the server is misconfigured.

Fix:

1. Verify the certificate is installed in your hosting panel.
2. Check that the certificate matches your domain name.
3. Ensure both the certificate and private key are correct.
4. Clear browser cache and try again.

4. SSL Certificate Not Installing (AutoSSL Fails)

Cause: Domain is not pointing to the hosting server.

Fix:

1. Verify your domain's A record points to the correct server IP.
2. Check with `nslookup yourdomain.com` or use dnschecker.org.
3. Wait for DNS propagation (up to 24 hours).
4. Disable any proxy/CDN temporarily and retry.

5. "ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID"

Cause: The SSL certificate was issued for a different domain than the one you are visiting.

Fix:

1. Ensure SSL is installed for the correct domain (including www and non-www).
2. Request a new certificate that includes all needed domain variants.
3. For wildcard: ensure it covers *.yourdomain.com.

6. Redirect Loop (ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS)

Cause: Conflicting HTTPS redirect rules.

Fix:

1. Clear browser cookies for your domain.
2. Check `.htaccess` for duplicate redirect rules.
3. If using Cloudflare, set SSL mode to Full or Full (Strict).
4. Ensure only ONE HTTPS redirect is active (either in .htaccess OR hosting panel, not both).

Testing Your SSL

Use these tools to diagnose SSL issues:

1. SSL Labs: `ssllabs.com/ssltest` — comprehensive SSL test.
2. Why No Padlock: `whynopadlock.com` — identifies mixed content.
3. SSL Checker: `sslshopper.com/ssl-checker.html` — verify installation.

[screenshot: SSL Labs test result showing A+ rating]

Quick Fixes Checklist

• Certificate is installed and not expired.
• Domain points to the correct server.
• Certificate covers the domain (including www).
• No mixed content (all resources load over HTTPS).
• Only one HTTPS redirect is active.
• Browser cache is cleared.

Related Articles

• How to Install SSL Certificate on cPanel
• How to Install SSL on DirectAdmin

Need help? Contact our support team at {{SUPPORT_URL}}/client/support.