It is a must to make sure your website is secure in today’s online world. One of the most effective ways to secure your website is by using SSL certificates, and cPanel’s AutoSSL feature makes this process effortless. If you’re looking to simplify SSL management and enhance your website’s security, you’re in the right place, as this guide will walk you through how to manage AutoSSL certificates in cPanel. Now let’s begin.
What is AutoSSL?
AutoSSL is a feature in cPanel that simplifies the process of installing and managing SSL certificates. It automates the acquisition and renewal of SSL certificates for all your domains hosted on a cPanel server. AutoSSL uses free SSL providers like Let’s Encrypt or cPanel (Powered by Sectigo), ensuring your websites remain secure without manual intervention.
Benefits of Using AutoSSL
- Automated Renewals – No more manual renewals; AutoSSL handles everything.
- Improved Security – Ensures all domains and subdomains have SSL certificates, enhancing security.
- Cost-Effective – Uses free SSL providers, reducing the cost of maintaining SSL certificates.
- User-Friendly – Integrates seamlessly with cPanel, making it easy for users of all skill levels to manage SSL certificates.
Managing AutoSSL in cPanel
Managing AutoSSL in cPanel is straightforward. Here are the steps to configure and manage AutoSSL certificates:
Enabling AutoSSL
1. Access your cPanel dashboard.
You can usually do this by typing yourdomain.com/cpanel into your web browser and entering your username and password.
2. Under the “Security” section, click on “SSL/TLS Status.”
3. If AutoSSL is not enabled, you will see an option to enable it. Click on the “Run AutoSSL” button to initiate the process.
Installing AutoSSL on a Specific Domain
1. Access your cPanel dashboard by logging in with your credentials.
2. Under the “Security” section, click on “SSL/TLS.”
3. Click on “Generate, view, upload, or delete SSL certificates.”
4. Scroll down the list until you find the domain that needs to have the AutoSSL installed.
5. Click on “Install.”
Managing SSL Certificates
- Check SSL Status – In the “SSL/TLS Status” page of cPanel, you can view the status of SSL certificates for all your domains and subdomains. A green lock icon indicates that an SSL certificate is active.
- Exclude Domains – If you wish to exclude certain domains from AutoSSL, you can uncheck them in the list.
Installing a Certificate Using AutoSSL in WHM
For users who manage multiple cPanel accounts, using WHM (Web Host Manager) to manage AutoSSL certificates can be very efficient. Here’s a step-by-step guide to adding a certificate using AutoSSL in WHM:
1. Access your WHM dashboard by logging in with your root or reseller credentials.
2. Search for “AutoSSL” in the search bar at the top left corner.
3. Click on “Manage AutoSSL” under the “SSL/TLS” section.
4. Choose your preferred AutoSSL provider from the available options (e.g., Let’s Encrypt or cPanel (Powered by Sectigo)). Ensure you save your settings after selecting the provider.
5. Run the AutoSSL for all users or individual accounts.
- For all users, click on “Run AutoSSL for All Users.”
- For individual accounts, go to “Manage Users” tab, and click on the “Check” button next to the user’s name to force AutoSSL to run for that account.
After AutoSSL has run, you can verify the installation of SSL certificates. Navigate to the “SSL/TLS” section in WHM and click on “Manage SSL Hosts.” Here, you can view all installed SSL certificates and ensure that the domains are covered.
Checking AutoSSL Status on the Command Line
While cPanel provides a user-friendly interface for managing AutoSSL, you can also check the status of AutoSSL using the command line. This is particularly useful for advanced users and system administrators.
Accessing the Command Line
1. Use an SSH client to connect to your server. You will need root or sudo access.
ssh root@your-server-ip2. Use the following command to check the AutoSSL status for your domains:
/usr/local/cpanel/bin/autossl_check --user=usernameReplace username with the cPanel account username you want to check.
3. To view detailed logs of AutoSSL processes, use:
tail -f /var/cpanel/logs/autossl/*logThis command displays real-time logs, allowing you to monitor AutoSSL activities.
4. If you need to manually trigger an AutoSSL run from the command line, use:
/usr/local/cpanel/bin/autossl_check --force --user=usernameTroubleshooting AutoSSL Issues
While AutoSSL is generally reliable, you may encounter issues that need troubleshooting. Here are some common problems and their solutions:
- Domain Validation Errors – Ensure your DNS settings are correctly configured, and there are no conflicts.
- Certificate Installation Failures – Check if there are existing certificates causing conflicts and remove them if necessary.
- AutoSSL Logs – Regularly check the AutoSSL logs for any errors or warnings that can provide insights into issues.
Conclusion
Knowing how to manage your AutoSSL certificates in cPanel is utmost to ensure that you have a secure, trusted web presence. It is now easier than ever, not only for novice users but also for professionals. With the use of AutoSSL, you can protect all of your domains with as little work as possible, which enables you to focus on other important aspects of your website.
Comment below if you have questions. If you’re looking to get an SSL certificate from an SSL provider but are unsure which one to choose, then you can our post about choosing the right SSL certificate before making a decision.
