How to Install an SSL Certificate in cPanel via the Client Area

Introduction
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates are essential for securing your website and protecting your visitors' data. Installing an SSL certificate ensures that your website runs over HTTPS, providing encryption for sensitive information. This guide will show you how to install an SSL certificate using cPanel, accessed via the client area.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Login to Your Client Area
   Start by logging into your client area.

   • Visit the Client Area and enter your login credentials.
   • Click "Login" to access your account dashboard.

2. Navigate to Your Services
   Once logged in, find the "Services" or "My Products & Services" section.

   • Select the hosting package associated with the website for which you want to install the SSL certificate.

3. Access cPanel via the Client Area
   On the service details page, locate and click the "Login to cPanel" button. This will automatically log you into your cPanel account.

4. Navigate to the SSL/TLS Section
   Once in cPanel:

   • Scroll down to the Security section.
   • Click on "SSL/TLS". This section allows you to manage SSL certificates for your websites.

5. Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR)
   Before installing a third-party SSL certificate, you may need to generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR):

   • In the SSL/TLS section, click on "Generate, view, or delete SSL certificate signing requests (CSR)".
   • Select the domain for which you want to generate the CSR.
   • Fill out the required information, including your domain name, city, state, and country.
   • Click "Generate" to create the CSR. You’ll need to provide this CSR to your SSL certificate provider.

6. Install the SSL Certificate
   Once you’ve received the SSL certificate from your provider (or if you’re using AutoSSL from your hosting provider):

   • Return to the SSL/TLS section in cPanel.
   • Click on "Manage SSL sites" or "Install and Manage SSL for your site (HTTPS)".
   • Under Install an SSL Website, select the domain you want to secure from the dropdown menu.
   • In the Certificate (CRT) field, paste the SSL certificate provided by your certificate authority (CA).
   • The Private Key (KEY) and Certificate Authority Bundle (CABUNDLE) fields should automatically fill in. If not, paste the respective keys that were provided during the SSL issuance process.

   After entering the certificate details, click "Install Certificate" to complete the installation.

7. Verify SSL Installation
   Once the SSL certificate is installed, you can verify that your website is running over HTTPS by visiting your site:

   • Type https://yourdomain.com in your browser and ensure that the browser displays a padlock icon in the address bar, indicating that the connection is secure.

Using AutoSSL (Free SSL Installation)

If your hosting provider offers AutoSSL (a free SSL certificate option), you can install SSL certificates automatically for your domains:

1. In cPanel, go to the Security section and click on "SSL/TLS Status".
2. Click the "Run AutoSSL" button to install SSL certificates for all eligible domains automatically.
3. Once the process is complete, your domains will be secured with SSL certificates provided by a trusted certificate authority, such as Let's Encrypt or Comodo.

Common Issues

1. SSL Certificate Not Working
   If your SSL certificate doesn’t appear to be working, check the following:

   • Clear your browser cache: Sometimes, old cached data can cause the browser to load an unsecured version of the site.
   • Check SSL installation: Ensure that the SSL certificate was installed correctly in the Manage SSL sites section of cPanel.
   • DNS propagation: If you recently changed DNS settings or installed the SSL certificate, it may take some time for the changes to propagate.
2. • Update all URLs in your website files (e.g., images, scripts, and stylesheets) to use HTTPS.
   • You can also force HTTPS using .htaccess by adding this code:

     Mixed Content Warnings
     If your site shows a padlock but also displays a “Mixed Content” warning, it means some elements on your website are being loaded over HTTP instead of HTTPS.

    

   RewriteEngine On RewriteCond %{HTTPS} !=on RewriteRule ^ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

3. Expired or Invalid SSL Certificate
   If you see a warning that your SSL certificate has expired or is invalid:

   • Check the expiration date of your certificate in the SSL/TLS section of cPanel.
   • If your certificate has expired, you’ll need to renew it or install a new one.
   • For AutoSSL users, ensure that AutoSSL is running and renewing certificates as expected. You can manually trigger AutoSSL in the SSL/TLS Status section.

Why Use SSL for Your Website?

1. Improved Security: SSL certificates encrypt the connection between your website and visitors, protecting sensitive information like passwords and payment details.
2. Boost in SEO: Search engines like Google prioritize websites that use HTTPS, giving you an SEO advantage over non-secure sites.
3. Visitor Trust: Seeing the padlock icon in the browser bar assures visitors that your website is secure, building trust and credibility.

Conclusion
Installing an SSL certificate through cPanel via the Client Area is crucial to ensuring that your website is secure and uses HTTPS. Whether you’re installing a paid SSL certificate or using the free AutoSSL feature, the process is straightforward and helps protect your site and visitors.

For any issues or further assistance, feel free to reach out to our support team.