Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates encrypt data between your website and visitors, protecting sensitive information and building trust. Without a valid SSL certificate, your WordPress site risks security vulnerabilities, browser warnings, loss of visitor trust, and reduced search rankings.
To ensure a secure online presence, follow these key steps:
- Check SSL Certificate Expiration
- Use browser tools or online services to verify expiration date
- Renew expired certificates with your provider
- Verify SSL Certificate Installation
- Check certificate details and domain validation using browser tools or online tools like SSL Labs
- Fix Mixed Content Issues
- Use Really Simple SSL plugin to automatically update URLs to HTTPS
- Or manually update URLs in WordPress database and theme/plugin files
- Resolve NET::ERR_CERT_INVALID Error
- Check certificate expiration and installation
- Contact certificate provider or reinstall certificate
- Fix Too Many Redirects Error
- Edit wp-config.php file to add code for FORCE_SSL_ADMIN
- Check for conflicting redirects or incorrect settings
- Set Up HTTP to HTTPS Redirection
- Add code to .htaccess file to redirect HTTP to HTTPS
- Or use Really Simple SSL plugin
- Update WordPress URLs to HTTPS
- Manually update URLs in Settings > General
- Or use Better Search Replace plugin
- Get Additional Support
- Contact hosting provider or SSL certificate issuer
- Search online forums and communities
- Hire a WordPress developer or expert
Regularly monitor and renew SSL certificates to prevent errors and maintain a secure, trustworthy online presence for your WordPress website.
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Before You Start
Before fixing WordPress SSL certificate errors, make sure you have:
- Access to your WordPress admin dashboard and hosting control panel. You’ll need these to change your website’s SSL certificate settings.
- A backup of your website. This allows you to restore your site if anything goes wrong during the process.
Having these ready will help you troubleshoot SSL issues more smoothly and avoid potential data loss.
Checklist
| Task | Description |
|---|---|
| Access | Ensure you have access to your WordPress admin dashboard and hosting control panel. |
| Backup | Create a full backup of your website before making any changes. |
Check SSL Certificate Expiration
An expired SSL certificate can cause issues like the NET::ERR_CERT_INVALID error in Google Chrome. To avoid this, check your SSL certificate’s expiration date.
Check Expiration Using Browser Tools
- Open your website in a browser.
- Click the site information button or padlock icon next to the address bar.
- The certificate details, including the expiration date, will appear.
Check Expiration Using Online Services
You can also use online services like SSL Shopper or Why No Padlock to check your SSL certificate’s expiration date.
Renew an Expired Certificate
If your SSL certificate has expired:
- Contact your certificate provider to renew it.
- Follow their instructions to install the new certificate on your website.
- Verify the new certificate is assigned to the correct domain or subdomain.
| Task | Steps |
|---|---|
| Check Expiration (Browser) | 1. Open website 2. Click site info/padlock icon 3. View certificate details |
| Check Expiration (Online) | Use SSL Shopper or Why No Padlock |
| Renew Certificate | 1. Contact provider 2. Install new certificate 3. Verify domain assignment |
Verify SSL Certificate Installation
Checking if your SSL certificate is properly installed is crucial for ensuring your website is secure and trustworthy. Here’s how to verify your SSL certificate installation:
Using Browser Tools
- Open your website in a browser.
- Click the site information button or padlock icon next to the address bar.
- The certificate details, including the issuer, expiration date, and domain validation, will be displayed.
Using Online Tools
You can also use online tools like SSL Labs or Why No Padlock to check your SSL certificate installation. These tools provide a detailed report on your SSL certificate, including its validity, expiration date, and any potential issues.
| Tool | Steps |
|---|---|
| Browser | 1. Open website 2. Click site info/padlock icon 3. View certificate details |
| SSL Labs | Enter website URL and run test |
| Why No Padlock | Enter website URL and run test |
Contacting Your Hosting Provider
If you’re unsure about verifying your SSL certificate installation or need assistance, contact your hosting provider’s support. They can help you check if your SSL certificate is correctly installed and configured on your server.
Fix Mixed Content Issues
Mixed content errors happen when a website loads both HTTP and HTTPS content. This causes security issues and warning messages in browsers, affecting your website’s security, user experience, and search rankings.
To fix mixed content issues, you can use a plugin like Really Simple SSL. It automatically updates your website’s URLs to HTTPS with minimal setup.
Or, you can manually update the URLs in the WordPress database and theme/plugin files:
Update URLs in WordPress Database
- Install and activate the Better Search Replace plugin.
- Go to Tools > Better Search Replace.
- Enter your website’s HTTP URL in the Search for field.
- Enter your website’s HTTPS URL in the Replace with field.
- Select the database tables to update.
- Click Run Search/Replace.
Update URLs in Theme/Plugin Files
- Use an FTP client or file manager to access your website’s files.
- Search for HTTP URLs in your theme and plugin files.
- Replace each HTTP URL with an HTTPS URL.
- Save the updated files.
| Method | Steps |
|---|---|
| Plugin | Use Really Simple SSL to automatically update URLs |
| Manual | 1. Update URLs in WordPress database 2. Update URLs in theme/plugin files |
Resolve NET::ERR_CERT_INVALID Error
The NET::ERR_CERT_INVALID error occurs when a browser does not trust a website’s SSL certificate. This error can happen due to various reasons, such as:
- An expired SSL certificate
- A self-signed certificate (not issued by a trusted authority)
- A mismatch between the domain name and the certificate
- Issues with the website’s SSL configuration or server
To fix this error, follow these steps:
1. Check SSL Certificate Expiration
Verify that your SSL certificate is valid and has not expired. Click the padlock icon in the address bar and select "Certificate" or "Connection is secure" to view the certificate’s expiration date.
2. Verify SSL Certificate Installation
Ensure the SSL certificate is installed correctly and matches the domain name. Check the certificate details to confirm it is issued to the correct domain or subdomain.
3. Contact Certificate Provider
If you purchased an SSL certificate, contact the provider for assistance. They can help resolve the issue or provide guidance on how to fix the problem.
4. Reinstall SSL Certificate
Try reinstalling the SSL certificate. If you manually installed it, consider contacting your web hosting provider for assistance.
By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the NET::ERR_CERT_INVALID error and ensure your website’s SSL certificate is trusted by browsers.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Check SSL certificate expiration date |
| 2 | Verify SSL certificate installation and domain match |
| 3 | Contact certificate provider for assistance |
| 4 | Reinstall SSL certificate |
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Fix Too Many Redirects Error
The "Too Many Redirects" error can occur when WordPress is set up to require SSL/HTTPS for the admin area. This error happens when a visitor’s browser cycles through multiple servers and URLs while trying to find your website, resulting in an endless redirect loop.
To fix this issue, you’ll need to edit your wp-config.php file. You can locate this file using an SFTP client like FileZilla or the file manager in your web hosting account.
Open the file and add the following code at the bottom, right before the line that reads, "That’s all. Stop editing! Happy blogging."
define('FORCE_SSL_ADMIN', true);
if (strpos($_SERVER['HTTP_X_FORWARDED_PROTO'], 'https')!== false)
$_SERVER['HTTPS']='on';
Be careful when adding this code, as it can impact your database.
Additionally, ensure you’re not using conflicting redirects or incorrect configuration settings, which can also cause the "Too Many Redirects" error. Double-check your .htaccess file and any redirect plugins you may be using to ensure they’re not causing the problem.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Locate the wp-config.php file using an SFTP client or file manager |
| 2 | Open the file and add the provided code at the bottom |
| 3 | Check for conflicting redirects or incorrect settings |
| 4 | Review the .htaccess file and any redirect plugins |
Set Up HTTP to HTTPS Redirection
Redirecting HTTP traffic to HTTPS ensures all data sent between your website and visitors is secure. This way, even if someone types http:// in their browser, they’ll automatically be redirected to the secure https:// version of your site.
To set up this redirection, add the following code to the top of your .htaccess file:
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]
</IfModule>
This code will redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS, ensuring your site is always accessed securely.
Alternatively, you can use a plugin like Really Simple SSL to force HTTPS on your WordPress site. This plugin provides an easy interface to configure HTTPS redirection without editing your .htaccess file manually.
| Method | Steps |
|---|---|
| Manual | Add the provided code to the top of your .htaccess file |
| Plugin | Use Really Simple SSL to force HTTPS |
Update WordPress URLs to HTTPS
After installing an SSL certificate, you need to update your WordPress URLs to HTTPS. This step ensures your website is fully secure and prevents mixed content issues.
Update URLs Manually
1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard and go to Settings > General. 2. Change the WordPress Address and Site Address fields from http:// to https://. For example, https://example.com. 3. Click Save Changes.
Use a Plugin
Alternatively, you can use the Better Search Replace plugin to bulk update URLs in your WordPress database:
| Plugin | Steps |
|---|---|
| Better Search Replace | 1. Install and activate the plugin 2. Go to Tools > Better Search Replace 3. Search for http:// URLs and replace with https:// 4. Select database tables to update 5. Click Run Search/Replace |
Updating your WordPress URLs to HTTPS ensures your website is fully secure and compliant with SSL standards.
Get Additional Support
If you’ve tried the solutions outlined above and are still experiencing issues with your WordPress SSL certificate, it’s time to get more help. Contact your hosting provider or SSL certificate issuer for assistance. They can provide personalized guidance and help you resolve the problem.
Before contacting support, have the following information ready:
- Your website’s URL
- The type of SSL certificate you’re using
- The error message or issue you’re experiencing
- Any troubleshooting steps you’ve already taken
Having this information ready will help the support team quickly identify the problem and provide a solution.
You can also search online resources and forums where other users may have experienced similar issues. Alternatively, consider hiring a WordPress developer or expert to help resolve the issue.
| Information to Provide | Description |
|---|---|
| Website URL | The address of your website |
| SSL Certificate Type | The kind of SSL certificate you’re using |
| Error Message/Issue | The specific error or problem you’re facing |
| Troubleshooting Steps | Any steps you’ve already taken to fix the issue |
Additional Resources
1. Online Forums and Communities
Search for WordPress forums, communities, and discussion boards where users share their experiences and solutions for SSL certificate issues.
2. WordPress Developer or Expert
Hire a WordPress developer or expert who specializes in SSL certificate installation and configuration. They can provide professional assistance and guidance.
3. Hosting Provider Documentation
Check your hosting provider’s documentation or knowledge base for articles and guides on SSL certificate installation and troubleshooting.
Final Thoughts
Fixing SSL certificate errors is crucial for keeping your website secure, building trust with visitors, and improving search engine rankings. A valid SSL certificate encrypts data exchanged between your site and users’ browsers, protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access. Additionally, Google favors HTTPS sites, which can lead to better search rankings.
Regularly monitoring and renewing SSL certificates is essential to prevent errors and maintain a secure online presence. By following the solutions outlined in this guide, you can identify and resolve common SSL certificate issues, ensuring a smooth browsing experience for your users.
Remember, SSL certificates require ongoing maintenance to remain valid and effective. Stay proactive, and your website will benefit from a secure and trustworthy online presence.
Key Points
- SSL certificates encrypt data, protecting sensitive information
- Valid SSL certificates build user trust and improve SEO
- Regularly monitor and renew SSL certificates to prevent errors
- Follow the solutions in this guide to fix common SSL certificate issues
- Ongoing SSL certificate maintenance is crucial for website security
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Security | Encrypts data exchanged between your site and users’ browsers |
| Trust | Valid SSL certificates build trust with visitors |
| SEO | Google favors HTTPS sites, leading to better search rankings |
| Smooth Experience | Resolving SSL issues ensures a seamless browsing experience |
1. Monitor SSL Certificates
Regularly check the expiration date and validity of your SSL certificates to prevent errors and maintain a secure online presence.
2. Follow the Solutions
Use the solutions outlined in this guide to identify and fix common SSL certificate issues, such as expired certificates, mixed content errors, and redirection problems.
3. Maintain SSL Certificates
SSL certificates require ongoing maintenance to remain valid and effective. Stay proactive and renew your certificates as needed to ensure website security and a trustworthy online presence.
FAQs
Why isn’t HTTPS working on my WordPress site?
Sometimes, old links to the login page get cached by your browser, plugins, or web host. This can cause issues when trying to access your site with the new HTTPS links. To fix this, clear all caches. Using a plugin to install an SSL certificate on your WordPress site can also help avoid many of these problems.
Why isn’t my WordPress site using HTTPS?
First, go to Settings > General and check the ‘WordPress Address’ and ‘Site Address’ options. If the URLs start with ‘http’, you need to change them to ‘https’. Don’t forget to click ‘Save Changes’ to save your settings.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Go to Settings > General |
| 2 | Check ‘WordPress Address’ and ‘Site Address’ |
| 3 | Change ‘http’ to ‘https’ if needed |
| 4 | Click ‘Save Changes’ |