How to fix common SSL issues in WordPress

SSL (Secure Socket Layer) is an essential technology that encrypts data between your website and its visitors. In 2024, using HTTPS is no longer optional – it’s a requirement for user trust, search engine rankings, and data protection. But what happens when your SSL certificate causes unexpected problems?

This guide will walk you through how to fix the most common SSL issues in WordPress. Whether you’re seeing browser security warnings, redirect loops, or mixed content errors, you’ll find a step-by-step method to get your HTTPS working correctly again.

📚 Table of Contents

🔒 Why SSL Matters in WordPress

SSL protects your website by encrypting sensitive data like login credentials, customer details, and payment information. Without it, browsers like Chrome and Firefox will flag your site as “Not Secure,” leading to lost traffic and trust.

All Pressillion hosting plans come with free HTTPS certificates via Let’s Encrypt, and we handle renewals automatically. However, SSL errors may still appear due to configuration issues or conflicts.

🖼 Method 1: Fix Mixed Content Errors

Mixed content occurs when your site loads over HTTPS but pulls resources (like images, CSS, JS) over HTTP. This breaks the secure connection.

How to Fix:

  1. Use a plugin like Really Simple SSL to automatically update URLs.
  2. Manually inspect your site using Chrome DevTools > Console to find insecure resource links.
  3. Replace http:// links with https:// in:

Mixed content warnings will disappear once all assets are served over HTTPS.

❌ Method 2: Resolve Invalid SSL Certificate Errors

If users see a browser warning like “Your connection is not private,” the issue is likely due to:

  • An expired certificate
  • A certificate not issued for your domain
  • Self-signed or misconfigured certificates

How to Fix:

  1. Check your SSL status using SSL Labs.
  2. Contact your host to reinstall a valid certificate.
  3. If you’re a Pressillion customer, we automatically install and renew valid certificates.

Avoid free certificates from unknown providers – use Let’s Encrypt or commercial providers like Sectigo or DigiCert.

🔁 Method 3: Prevent SSL Redirect Loops

Redirect loops happen when your site repeatedly sends traffic from HTTP to HTTPS and back again.

Common Causes:

  • WordPress and Site URL mismatch (check Settings → General).
  • Plugin conflicts (especially security or caching plugins).
  • Hardcoded redirects in .htaccess.

How to Fix:

  1. Open .htaccess and remove any duplicate redirect rules:
  1. Disable conflicting plugins temporarily.
  2. Make sure you only have HTTPS enabled via one method (plugin, host, or Cloudflare).

☁️ Method 4: Configure Cloudflare for Full HTTPS

If you use Cloudflare and still see mixed content warnings, your SSL mode may be misconfigured.

Recommended Settings in Cloudflare:

  • SSL Mode: Full (Strict)
  • Always Use HTTPS: Enabled
  • Automatic HTTPS Rewrites: Enabled

You can find these settings under SSL/TLS in your Cloudflare dashboard.

Cloudflare may cache old HTTP links, so be sure to purge the cache after making changes.

🛡 Method 5: Disable Insecure SSL/TLS Protocols

SSLv2, SSLv3, and early versions of TLS (like TLS 1.0 and 1.1) are deprecated and considered insecure.

How to Fix:

  1. Ask your host to disable outdated protocols.
  2. If you manage your own server, configure NGINX or Apache to allow only TLS 1.2 or TLS 1.3:
  1. Use SSL Labs to verify which protocols are active.

Outdated protocols can cause compatibility issues with newer browsers and trigger SSL errors.

❓ FAQ

What is the easiest way to enforce HTTPS in WordPress? Use the Really Simple SSL plugin or enable force HTTPS in your hosting control panel.

Why is my SSL valid but Chrome still shows “Not Secure”? You may have mixed content issues. Use DevTools to locate and update insecure asset URLs.

Can expired certificates auto-renew? Yes, if you’re using Let’s Encrypt and your host supports auto-renewal – which Pressillion does.

Do I need a paid SSL certificate? Not usually. Free SSL via Let’s Encrypt is sufficient unless you need warranty-backed certificates for enterprise compliance.

🔗 Sources

 

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