How to Fix Secure Connection Error in WordPress

Seeing a “Secure Connection Error” when trying to access your WordPress site can be frustrating. Fortunately, this common issue is usually simple to fix and often doesn’t require contacting your hosting provider. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through how to identify and resolve the issue.

 

📚 Table of Contents

❓ What Is a Secure Connection Error?

A secure connection error typically occurs when your browser can’t establish an encrypted connection with your server. This is usually caused by issues with your SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate. SSL is the technology that ensures data transmitted between your site and visitors remains secure.

You may see messages like:

  • “Secure Connection Failed”
  • “This site can’t provide a secure connection”
  • “Your connection is not private”

✅ Step 1: Check the SSL Certificate

The most common cause is a misconfigured or expired SSL certificate. To check your SSL certificate:

  1. Visit your site using https://yourdomain.com
  2. Look for browser warnings or red padlock icons

Use free tools like:

If the certificate is expired or not installed properly, you’ll need to:

  • Contact your SSL provider or hosting company
  • Reinstall or renew the certificate

If you’re hosted with Pressillion, SSL is enabled and auto-renewed for all sites by default. Learn more in our SSL setup guide.

✅ Step 2: Verify WordPress Site URL Settings

In your WordPress admin area, go to:

Settings > General

wordpress dashboard Settings

Ensure both fields:

  • WordPress Address (URL)
  • Site Address (URL)

…use https:// instead of http://.

If they don’t:

  1. Update both URLs to include https://
  2. Click Save Changes
  3. Clear your browser cache and retry loading the site

✅ Step 3: Disable SSL-Related Plugins

Some plugins that enforce SSL or redirect HTTP to HTTPS can cause conflicts. Popular ones include:

To test:

wordpress installed plugins

  1. Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins
  2. Deactivate any SSL-related plugins
  3. Check if the secure connection error disappears

If deactivation resolves the issue, try reinstalling the plugin or using an alternative method.

✅ Step 4: Clear Browser Cache and Retry

Browser caching can preserve outdated security settings. Clearing it may resolve the error.

Instructions:

After clearing, close and reopen the browser before retrying.

☎️ When to Contact Hosting Support

If none of the above steps fix the issue, it’s time to contact your hosting provider.

At Pressillion, we offer:

Contact your host if:

  • SSL was manually installed
  • DNS settings recently changed
  • You’re running a multisite installation

💡 Bonus Tips for SSL Management

  • Use an SSL monitoring tool to get alerts if certificates expire
  • Set up HTTP to HTTPS redirection at the server level
  • Use canonical URLs in SEO plugins to avoid mixed protocol issues
  • Avoid using hard-coded http:// links in your content or theme

🤔 FAQ: Secure Connection Errors

Can I fix a secure connection error without technical help?
Yes – in many cases, it’s due to a plugin, cache, or incorrect URL settings.

Do free SSL certificates like Let’s Encrypt work well?
Absolutely. They’re secure, reliable, and auto-renewed with most modern hosts like Pressillion.

What if my SSL certificate is valid but I still see the error?
Check for mixed content errors or outdated redirects using browser dev tools.

Will this affect my SEO?
Yes. Google prioritizes secure sites. An invalid SSL certificate or HTTPS error can reduce rankings.

🔗 Sources

Need help from the experts? Talk to the Pressillion team or explore our secure managed WordPress hosting.

 

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