How to Install Free SSL certificate in cpanel

Is SSL important?  Whether all websites need SSL?

Let’s get into the topic!

SSL(Secure Sockets Layer) is used for a secured channel between the server and the client. While we search for something in google we found that it is secured connection or not. If it is displayed in HTTP it is an unsecured connection or it displays HTTPS then it is a secured connection. SSL is one of the SEO factor. Also, for business sites it builds the trust for the customers.

If  SSL certificate is installed, the encrypted data is seen only by source and destination nobody will able to decrypt your data while transaction.

For the secured connection we need to install the SSL certificate.

How to Install Auto SSL in cPanel?

• Login to the cPanel Account.
• Under Security section, click SSL/TLS Certificates option.

• Click “Wizard” tab.

• Click all the checkbox near each domain name or select only main domain and *.domain so it automatically take all subdomains. If you are configuring only for main domain and few subdomain, then you can select only those domain names. Click Continue button.

NOTE: If you select wildcard domain, then it will configure automatically for any subdomain you add later under the main domain in cPanel. If you remove and readd the same subdomain, it will not cover the subdomain so you have to select the subdomain and install SSL separately.

• Now click Let’s Encrypt Certificate button.

• Now in the popup window, click checkbox to accept the terms of Let’s Encrypt. Click Continue button.

• Now the SSL certificate will be installed in the cPanel for the website.

• If you add subdomains after installing the certificate, then the subdomain will be automatically covered under the existing certificate if you have selected the wildcard domain option while installing the certificate.

• If the website loads with both http and https but you want to load only withhttps, kindly update the URL in phpMyAdmin -> Database ->  wp_option and update the website name with HTTPS.
• Also do force redirect on the “domains” section for the domain to redirect the website from http to https if visitor visit the website on http.

• If you want to uninstall the SSL certificate, go to Installation tab

• Now click “Uninstall” option near the installed certification.

Things to Consider for SSL Insecure Error:

1. If you pointed the A record or nameserver for the domain to the hosting provider, wait for 24 to 48 hours before install or Auto run SSL for the website.

NOTE: If your website is hosted with SeekaHost, SSL will be automatically installed within 12 hours after updating the nameservers—no need for manual installation.

2. Check Disk Usage exceeded for the website in cPanel. If exceeded, then remove bigger size files to reduce the disk usage and install SSL.

3. If disk Usage not exceeded, then check File usage/Inode count exceeded for the website in cPanel. Remove more number of files to reduce the count and install SSL.

NOTE: If you don’t see such option, then contact the hosting provider to enable that option.

4. For website loading with both http and https version, make sure you have enabled “Force https redirection” toggle on under domains option in cPanel to load only in https version.

5. If your website redirects to another website when load with https version, then check if any of your files is mentioned with http version. If not, install “Really simple SSL” plugin and configure to avoid mixed content.

In case you’re looking for OV, DV, EV Cerificates you can purchase SSL Certifcates and configure with your website.