How to Fix SSL Certificate Errors and Ensure Your Website Is Secure

How to Fix SSL Certificate Errors and Ensure Your Website Is Secure
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates are essential for securing data between users and websites. They encrypt sensitive information, such as credit card details and login credentials, preventing it from being intercepted by malicious third parties. When SSL certificate errors occur, they can compromise your website’s security, user trust, and search engine rankings.
If you’re encountering SSL certificate errors on your website, it’s crucial to resolve them promptly. This guide will walk you through the common causes of SSL errors and how to fix them to ensure your website remains secure.

Common SSL Certificate Errors and How to Fix Them
SSL Certificate Expired
An expired SSL certificate can trigger an error, warning users that the connection is not secure. SSL certificates are typically valid for 1-2 years, and when they expire, they need to be renewed.
Fix:
Check the expiration date: Visit your site with a browser and click on the padlock icon in the URL bar to check the SSL certificate’s expiration date.
Renew the certificate: Log into your hosting provider’s control panel (like cPanel) and renew the SSL certificate. Many providers also send you email reminders about upcoming expiration.
Auto-renewal: If available, enable auto-renewal to avoid future expirations.
SSL Certificate Not Trusted (Untrusted Certificate)
This error happens when a certificate is issued by an untrusted certificate authority (CA) or the server is using a self-signed certificate. Browsers will warn users that the connection is not trusted.
Fix:
Get a certificate from a trusted CA: Ensure your SSL certificate is issued by a recognized certificate authority, such as DigiCert, Let’s Encrypt, or GlobalSign.
Install intermediate certificates: Sometimes, SSL certificates require intermediate certificates to establish trust. Check that all necessary intermediate certificates are installed on the server.
Replace self-signed certificates: If you’re using a self-signed certificate, replace it with a certificate issued by a trusted CA.
Mixed Content Errors
A mixed content error occurs when some elements on your page are loaded over HTTP, rather than HTTPS. Even though the SSL certificate is installed correctly, browsers may flag these as insecure, leading to the SSL certificate error.
Fix:
Update links to HTTPS: Ensure all resources (such as images, scripts, and stylesheets) are loaded over HTTPS. You can do this by checking the URLs in your HTML code and replacing HTTP with HTTPS.
Use relative URLs: For resources on your own site, using relative URLs (e.g., src=”/image.jpg”) instead of full URLs can prevent mixed content errors.
Domain Name Mismatch
An SSL certificate is issued for a specific domain or subdomain. If the domain name in the certificate does not match the domain your website is using, users will receive an error.
Fix:
Reissue the SSL certificate: If you’ve changed your domain name or added subdomains, you may need to reissue your SSL certificate to reflect the correct domain or subdomain.
Use a wildcard or SAN certificate: If your website uses multiple subdomains (like www.example.com, blog.example.com, etc.), consider using a wildcard SSL certificate (e.g., *.example.com) or a Subject Alternative Name (SAN) certificate, which can cover multiple domains.
SSL Certificate Not Installed Properly
Improper installation of an SSL certificate can lead to errors. This could involve missing intermediate certificates, incomplete configuration files, or issues with server settings.
Fix:
Reinstall the SSL certificate: Double-check that the certificate is installed correctly by following the correct steps for your web server (e.g., Apache, Nginx, IIS).
Use an SSL checker tool: Tools like SSL Labs’ SSL Test can help you verify the installation of your SSL certificate and identify any potential issues.
Check for missing intermediate certificates: Some certificates require intermediate certificates to establish a chain of trust. Ensure these are properly installed along with the root certificate.
SSL Protocol Errors (TLS Version Issues)
TLS (Transport Layer Security) is the successor to SSL. If your server is configured to use outdated SSL protocols (such as SSL 2.0 or SSL 3.0), users may encounter errors when trying to access your site.
Fix:
Update to modern TLS versions: Make sure your server is configured to use TLS 1.2 or 1.3, as older versions (SSL 2.0 and SSL 3.0) are considered insecure.
Configure server to support TLS: Update your server’s SSL/TLS configuration files to ensure it supports the latest, secure versions of TLS. For example, in Apache, ensure that your SSL configuration includes something like:
SSLProtocol all -SSLv2 -SSLv3
Incomplete Certificate Chain (Chain of Trust Issue)
An incomplete certificate chain error can occur if your website does not include all the required intermediate certificates between your domain’s SSL certificate and the root certificate.
Fix:
Check the certificate chain: Use an SSL checker tool to verify that the entire certificate chain is properly installed. This should include the root certificate, any intermediate certificates, and your domain certificate.
Install intermediate certificates: If intermediate certificates are missing, you may need to download them from your SSL provider and install them on your server.
Browser or Cache Issues
Sometimes, the issue isn’t on the server side but rather with the user’s browser or a cached version of the site. Browsers may store old SSL certificate information, which can cause errors when you update or change your SSL settings.
Fix:
Clear the browser cache: Have users clear their browser cache or try accessing the site in incognito mode.
Check your own device: If the error only occurs on your device, try accessing the site from another device or browser.

How to Ensure Your Website Stays Secure with SSL
Once you’ve fixed any SSL certificate issues, it’s important to take steps to ensure ongoing security:
Monitor SSL Certificate Expiry: Set up reminders or use tools like SSL Labs’ Certificate Expiry Checker to track when your SSL certificates are due for renewal.
Use HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS): Implement HSTS to enforce HTTPS connections and prevent SSL stripping attacks. This tells browsers to only connect to your website via HTTPS.
Add this header to your server configuration:
Strict-Transport-Security: max-age=31536000; includeSubDomains
Upgrade to a Strong SSL/TLS Configuration: Regularly update your server to use the latest, most secure SSL/TLS configurations. Disable outdated protocols (like SSLv3) and ciphers.
Automate SSL Management: If possible, use free automated SSL services like Let’s Encrypt to issue and renew certificates, reducing the chances of forgetting about renewals.
Regular Security Audits: Periodically check for vulnerabilities in your SSL/TLS setup, and consider running regular security audits to identify weaknesses.

Conclusion
SSL certificate errors can disrupt your website’s security, harm your SEO ranking, and damage user trust. By identifying and fixing SSL certificate issues such as expiration, domain mismatches, and incorrect installations, you can ensure a secure connection for your users.
Taking proactive steps to manage SSL certificates, using modern protocols like TLS, and keeping everything up to date will help maintain a secure website. Regularly check for SSL-related issues and stay ahead of potential security risks to offer a safe browsing experience to your visitors.