Addressing “SSL Certificate Not Trusted” Errors in cPanel: Quick Solutions

Question:

What are the steps to resolve “SSL Certificate Not Trusted” errors in cPanel and ensure your website is secure?

Answer:

The “SSL Certificate Not Trusted” error occurs when a browser or client does not recognize the SSL certificate for your website, leading to security warnings for visitors. This can affect the credibility and functionality of your site. Here’s how you can troubleshoot and resolve this issue:

1. Verify SSL Certificate Installation

Issue: The SSL certificate may not be installed correctly.

Solution:

• Check Certificate Status:
  • In cPanel, go to SSL/TLS under the Security section.
• Review Installation:
  • Ensure that the SSL certificate is properly installed for the correct domain. Verify that both the certificate and private key are in place.

2. Confirm Certificate Validity

Issue: The SSL certificate may have expired or is not yet valid.

Solution:

• Check Expiration Date:
  • Use the SSL/TLS Status page in cPanel to check the expiration date of your certificate.
• Renew Certificate:
  • If the certificate is expired or close to expiring, renew it through your SSL provider or hosting provider’s SSL management tools.

3. Verify Certificate Chain

Issue: Incomplete certificate chain can cause trust issues.

Solution:

• Inspect Chain:
  • Ensure that the full certificate chain, including intermediate certificates, is installed. Missing intermediate certificates can lead to trust errors.
• Install Intermediate Certificates:
  • Download and install the necessary intermediate certificates from your SSL provider and add them to the SSL/TLS settings in cPanel.

4. Check Domain and Subdomain Coverage

Issue: The SSL certificate may not cover all required domains or subdomains.

Solution:

• Review Coverage:
  • Ensure that the SSL certificate covers all subdomains if you’re using a wildcard certificate or a multi-domain certificate.
• Reissue Certificate:
  • If needed, reissue or purchase a new certificate that includes all required domains and subdomains.

5. Update DNS Settings

Issue: Incorrect DNS settings can affect SSL certificate recognition.

Solution:

• Check DNS Records:
  • Verify that DNS records are correctly pointing to your server’s IP address and that there are no issues with DNS propagation.
• Update Records:
  • Make necessary adjustments to your DNS settings if there are discrepancies.

6. Clear Browser Cache

Issue: Browser cache might be displaying outdated SSL information.

Solution:

• Clear Cache:
  • Clear your browser’s cache and cookies to ensure that it’s loading the most recent SSL certificate information.
• Test in Incognito Mode:
  • Test the site in incognito mode or a different browser to rule out local caching issues.

7. Contact Hosting Support

Issue: Persistent issues may require professional assistance.

Solution:

• Seek Support:
  • If you’ve followed all troubleshooting steps and the issue persists, contact your hosting provider’s support team for further assistance.
• Provide Details:
  • Include error messages, details about your SSL certificate, and any relevant information about the issue.

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For additional help, you may also find these guides useful:

• Fixing “FTP Connection Timed Out” Errors in cPanel
• Resolving “Email Quota Exceeded” Errors in cPanel