A Step-By-Step Guide to Fix Common SSL Errors

SSL errors can be one of the most frustrating parts of working with websites. Not only do they disrupt the flow of your work, but they can also impact the safety of your online activity if not addressed correctly. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix the most common SSL errors. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the necessary steps to identify, address, and fix common SSL errors quickly and effectively. With the right tools and knowledge, you’ll be able to get your website back up and running in no time.

What is an SSL error?

SSL stands for “Secure Socket Layer”, which is a technology that ensures privacy and security between two connected devices (i.e., between your website and your visitors’ devices). SSL errors occur when there are problems with your SSL implementation, causing visitors to encounter issues with any SSL-encrypted connections on your website. These errors can be frustrating for visitors, as well as for site administrators trying to troubleshoot them. Common SSL errors include: – Certificate name mismatch errors – An error that occurs when a visitor’s browser attempts to connect to a website via HTTPS and the server’s certificate is not associated with the correct host name. – Expired certificate errors – An error that occurs when a browser attempts to connect to a website via HTTPS, but the SSL certificate has expired. – Self-signed certificate errors – An error that occurs when a browser attempts to connect to a website via HTTPS and the server’s certificate is self-signed. – Certificate not trusted errors – An error that occurs when a browser attempts to connect to a website via HTTPS and the server’s certificate is not signed by a trusted authority. – SSL handshake errors – An error that occurs during the establishment of a secure connection between a client and server, which is often the first step in an SSL transaction.

Types of SSL errors

Certificate name mismatch errors – An error that occurs when a visitor’s browser attempts to connect to a website via HTTPS and the server’s certificate is not associated with the correct host name. Expired certificate errors – An error that occurs when a browser attempts to connect to a website via HTTPS, but the SSL certificate has expired. Self-signed certificate errors – An error that occurs when a browser attempts to connect to a website via HTTPS and the server’s certificate is self-signed. Certificate not trusted errors – An error that occurs when a browser attempts to connect to a website via HTTPS and the server’s certificate is not signed by a trusted authority. SSL handshake errors – An error that occurs during the establishment of a secure connection between a client and server, which is often the first step in an SSL transaction.

How to identify and troubleshoot SSL errors

The first step in fixing SSL errors is to determine which SSL error(s) your website is experiencing. For this, you can use a free tool like SSL Inspector from SSL Labs to check your website’s SSL implementation. You can also log into your server and review error logs to determine details about the SSL error(s) that your website is experiencing and the circumstances surrounding them. Once you’ve determined which SSL errors your website is experiencing, you’ll need to identify the root cause(s) behind them. This process can be more complex and challenging, especially if you’re unfamiliar with SSL implementation. That said, there are a few methods you can use to troubleshoot SSL errors. – Check your SSL implementation – First, check your SSL implementation to ensure that it’s configured properly. This can help you identify if there is an error in the configuration of your SSL implementation that is causing the SSL error(s) that your website is experiencing. – Check your SSL certificate – Next, check your SSL certificate to ensure that it is valid and that it is associated with the correct host names (for HTTPS). This can help you identify if there is an error with the SSL certificate itself, causing the SSL error(s) that your website is experiencing. – Check your server configuration – Finally, check your server configuration to ensure that it is properly configured for HTTPS. This can help you identify if there is an error with the server configuration itself, causing the SSL error(s) that your website is experiencing.

Fixing certificate name mismatch errors

For a certificate name mismatch error, you’ll need to check your SSL certificate to ensure that it is associated with the correct host name. If you’re using a wildcard certificate, you’ll also want to make sure that the certificate host name matches your website’s host name. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to modify the certificate. If there is an error with your SSL certificate, you’ll need to replace it with a valid one. You can do this by purchasing a new SSL certificate.

Fixing expired certificate errors

For an expired certificate error, you’ll need to replace your SSL certificate with a new one. This is because expired SSL certificates are not valid. You can purchase a new SSL certificate from any SSL certificate provider. Keep in mind that if you’re using an SSL certificate from a shared hosting provider, your SSL certificate will expire every year. If this is the case, you’ll need to replace your SSL certificate each year.

Fixing self-signed certificate errors

For a self-signed certificate error, you’ll need to replace your SSL certificate with a valid one. You can do this by purchasing a new SSL certificate from a trusted SSL certificate provider like CheapSSLWeb. Keep in mind that self-signed SSL certificates are not valid and cannot be used. They are not verified by trusted authorities, and they do not provide any authentication. Self Signed Certificates are not worthy when you can get SSL Certificates such as Comodo Positive SSL Wildcard at an affordable price.

Fixing certificate not trusted errors

For a certificate not trusted error, you’ll need to purchase a new SSL certificate from a trusted SSL certificate provider. Keep in mind that if you replace your SSL certificate with a new one, you’ll need to regenerate all of the website’s HTTPS URLs.

Mitigating future SSL errors

For future SSL errors, you’ll need to ensure that your server configuration is properly configured for HTTPS. There are a few ways that you can do this. – Use a managed hosting provider – If you manage your own server, make sure that you are using the correct server configuration for HTTPS. – Use a managed WordPress hosting provider – If you’re using WordPress, make sure that your hosting provider is using the correct server configuration for HTTPS. – Use HTTPS redirects – HTTPS redirects can help you redirect visitors from HTTP to HTTPS without modifying your website’s source code. – Upgrade to an EV certificate – EV certificates are verified by third-party auditors, which can help mitigate future SSL errors.

SSL error monitoring tools

– SSL Labs – SSL Labs is a free website that allows you to check your website’s SSL implementation and determine if your website is experiencing any SSL errors. – SSL Decoder – SSL Decoder is a free online tool that allows you to check your website’s SSL implementation and determine if your website is experiencing any SSL errors. – SSL Check – SSL Check is a free online tool that allows you to check your website’s SSL implementation and determine if your website is experiencing any SSL errors. – Qualys – Qualys is a paid online tool that allows you to check your website’s SSL implementation and determine if your website is experiencing any SSL errors. – SSL Certificate Checker – SSL Certificate Checker is a free online tool that allows you to check your website’s SSL implementation and determine if your website is experiencing any SSL errors.

SSL error logging tools

– Logging into server – The simplest way to log SSL errors is to log into your server and review error logs. – Logging into website – Another way to log SSL errors is to log into your website. – Using a web application firewall (WAF) – A WAF is a software security solution that monitors and filters all traffic to and from a website. It can also be used to log SSL errors.