How to Renew SSL Certificate for Website – Rocon Guide

An expired SSL certificate can cause your website to display security warnings, scare visitors away, and even hurt your search engine rankings. Renewing your SSL certificate on time ensures that your website stays secure and trusted by users and browsers alike.

This guide will show you how to renew an SSL certificate for your website using various methods, including hosting control panels, WordPress tools, and free SSL services like Let’s Encrypt. Following these steps ensures your site remains protected without downtime or errors.

Understanding what an SSL certificate is and why renewing it matters is the first step in maintaining a secure website. SSL certificates encrypt data between your website and visitors, keeping information like login credentials, payment details, and personal data safe from attackers.

Renewing SSL certificates ensures your site avoids browser warnings, maintains SEO rankings, and builds user trust. Websites without valid SSL often show a “Not Secure” label in browsers, which can drive visitors away immediately.

What happens when an SSL certificate expires

• Visitors see security warnings in browsers like Chrome and Firefox.
• Sensitive data may be at risk if the connection is not encrypted.
• Your search engine rankings can drop due to perceived insecurity.

How SSL renewal protects security, SEO, and user trust

• Security: Data remains encrypted between the server and user.
• SEO: Search engines like Google prefer HTTPS websites.
• Trust: Visitors feel confident browsing or purchasing from your site.

SSL certificate renewal is the process of extending the validity of your existing SSL certificate before it expires. The process ensures continued encryption and trust for your website visitors.

There are two main renewal methods: manual and automatic. Choosing the right one depends on your hosting provider, SSL type, and technical expertise.

Manual SSL certificate renewal process explained

1. Log in to your hosting control panel.
2. Locate the SSL certificate management section.
3. Request a renewal or reissue of your SSL certificate.
4. Download the renewed certificate and install it if required.
5. Verify that your website shows HTTPS without errors.

Automatic SSL renewal vs manual renewal

• Automatic Renewal: Most modern hosting providers support automatic renewal for paid and free SSL certificates.
• Manual Renewal: Necessary for certificates not supported by auto-renewal or when using custom SSL from third-party providers.

Automatic renewal reduces downtime risk and ensures that you never accidentally let your certificate expire.

Renewing your SSL certificate on Rocon is designed to be straightforward, whether you manage a single website, subdirectory, or multiple subdomains. Following these steps ensures your site remains secure and trusted by visitors.

Step 1: Access Your Rocon Dashboard

Log in to your Rocon account and navigate to the Sites section. This is where all your hosted domains are displayed, making it easy to manage certificates, backups, and other settings in one centralized place.

Step 2: Open the Domains Hosted Page

Click on Domains Hosted under the specific site you want to renew. This page lists all domains, subdomains, and subdirectories along with their SSL status, allowing you to identify certificates nearing expiration.

Step 3: Locate the Domain for Renewal

Find the domain whose SSL certificate needs renewal. Domains using AutoSSL for SSL generation will indicate their renewal status automatically. Click the Renew button next to your domain.

Step 4: Renewal Options Based on Site Type

• Single and Subdirectory Sites:
  If your SSL certificate was generated via AutoSSL, the renewal is fully automated. Rocon ensures a seamless transition, maintaining uninterrupted security without any manual steps.
• Subdomain Sites:
  For subdomains, manual intervention may be required. Follow Rocon’s Secure Your Site instructions for step-by-step guidance on renewing the SSL certificate for subdomains.

Step 5: Verify and Test the Renewal

After renewal, visit your website using HTTPS. Check for the green padlock icon in the browser address bar to confirm that the certificate is active and trusted. Additionally, tools like SSL Labs can verify the certificate’s configuration, chain of trust, and expiration date.

Step 6: Keep Your Site Protected

Once renewed, your website maintains the encryption and security required for safe data transfer. This step is crucial for maintaining customer trust, SEO rankings, and overall site credibility.

Pro Tips for Rocon SSL Renewal:

• Rocon automatically sends notifications to alert you when a certificate is nearing expiration.
• Regularly check subdomains or multi-site setups to ensure all certificates are valid.
• Combine SSL renewal with routine updates to WordPress, plugins, and themes to maintain overall security hygiene.

Renewing your SSL certificate can vary slightly depending on your hosting provider or control panel. Below, we outline the general steps and include Rocon-specific instructions for seamless renewal.

Step 1: Check SSL Expiry Date

Before renewing, verify the current certificate’s expiration date. You can do this by:

• Visiting your website and clicking the padlock icon in the browser address bar.
• Accessing your hosting dashboard and viewing SSL or security settings.
• Using online tools like SSL Checker.

Step 2: Backup Your Website

While SSL renewal is generally safe, it’s a good practice to back up your website, especially for complex setups like eCommerce stores or WordPress sites with multiple plugins.

• Use your hosting provider’s backup tools or WordPress backup plugins.
• Store backups offsite to ensure recovery in case of unexpected issues.

Step 3: Renew SSL via Other Hosting Provider

Most hosting providers offer automated SSL renewal, but some require manual steps. The general process includes:

1. Log in to your hosting dashboard.
2. Navigate to SSL/TLS or Security Settings.
3. Select the domain you want to renew.
4. Click “Renew” or follow the prompts to generate a new certificate.
5. Install the renewed certificate if manual installation is required.

Step 4: Verify SSL Installation

After renewal, verify the certificate installation:

• Visit your website to see the padlock icon.
• Use SSL verification tools like SSL Labs for a detailed report.
• Check that all subdomains and pages are properly covered, especially for multi-domain or wildcard certificates.

Step 5: Troubleshooting Common SSL Renewal Issues

• Certificate not showing as renewed: Clear your browser cache and check again.
• Mixed content warnings: Ensure all resources (images, scripts, CSS) load over HTTPS.
• Subdomain errors: Verify subdomains are included in the renewed certificate.

Let’s Encrypt provides free SSL certificates, popular for WordPress and other websites. Renewal is usually automated, but understanding both automatic and manual processes ensures uninterrupted site security.

How Let’s Encrypt SSL renewal works automatically

• Most hosting providers support auto-renewal of Let’s Encrypt certificates.
• The system automatically requests a renewed certificate before expiry.
• Once renewed, the hosting server applies the certificate, ensuring HTTPS continues without interruptions.

How to manually renew Let’s Encrypt SSL if it fails

1. Log in to your hosting panel or server via SSH.
2. Use the command-line tool certbot renew for Linux servers.
3. Verify that the renewed certificate is installed correctly on your domain.
4. Restart the web server (Apache or Nginx) to apply changes.
5. Test your website to ensure HTTPS is active and secure.

Manual renewal is useful for troubleshooting auto-renewal failures or custom server setups where automated processes may not function correctly.

Manually renewing SSL certificates can be time-consuming and prone to errors. Automating the process ensures uninterrupted security and keeps your website running smoothly without manual intervention.

Why Automate SSL Renewal?

• Avoid Downtime: Expired certificates trigger browser warnings like “Not Secure,” which can scare away visitors.
• Save Time: Automation reduces repetitive tasks, especially for multiple websites.
• Reduce Human Errors: Manual renewals sometimes fail, leading to misconfigured certificates or incomplete installations.

Automated SSL Renewal Options

Most modern hosting platforms and SSL providers offer automatic renewal options:

1. Let’s Encrypt AutoSSL

   • Free, trusted SSL certificates.
   • Auto-renews every 60–90 days.
   • Compatible with most WordPress and Apache/Nginx servers.

2. Rocon Automated SSL Renewal

   Rocon makes SSL automation effortless:

   • AutoSSL Renewal: Single and subdirectory sites renew automatically if previously generated with AutoSSL.
   • Notifications: Receive alerts before certificate expiration.
   • Minimal Technical Intervention: For subdomains, step-by-step guides ensure proper renewal.
   • Recommended Timing: Renew at least 60 days before expiration for full coverage and uninterrupted security.

3. Premium SSL Providers

   • Many paid certificates, like DigiCert, Comodo, or GeoTrust, provide automated renewal through your hosting provider.
   • Benefits include extended validation, warranties, and business verification.

Best Practices for SSL Management

1. Plan Ahead: Keep track of expiration dates and schedule renewals well in advance.
2. Use Strong Encryption: Ensure your SSL supports TLS 1.2 or 1.3 for secure communication.
3. Enable HTTPS Redirects: After installation, redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS to secure your entire website.
4. Monitor for Mixed Content: Check all pages to avoid insecure content warnings. Plugins like Really Simple SSL can help WordPress users.
5. Test Regularly: Use online tools like SSL Labs to verify installation, chain of trust, and certificate strength.
6. Back Up Your Site: Always maintain backups before installing or renewing SSL certificates to avoid potential disruptions.

Even with automation, SSL renewals can occasionally run into issues. Understanding common errors and their fixes ensures your website remains secure without downtime.

Common SSL Renewal Issues

1. Expired SSL Certificate

   • Cause: Renewal wasn’t completed before expiration.
   • Impact: Browsers display “Not Secure” warnings, reducing trust and SEO ranking.
   • Solution: Manually renew immediately through your hosting panel (e.g., Rocon’s Renew option) and enable auto-renew to prevent future lapses.

2. Incorrect Domain Validation

   • Cause: SSL providers require domain ownership verification via DNS records or email.
   • Impact: Renewal fails because the certificate authority cannot validate ownership.
   • Solution: Ensure that the DNS records are correctly configured and email validation links are responded to. Rocon automatically handles validation for AutoSSL-generated certificates.

3. Mixed Content Warnings After Renewal

   • Cause: Some website elements (images, scripts, or iframes) still use HTTP links.
   • Impact: Browsers show partial insecure warnings even though SSL is valid.
   • Solution: Update all internal links to HTTPS. WordPress users can use plugins like Really Simple SSL or search-replace tools to fix legacy links.

4. Server Configuration Conflicts

   • Cause: Apache or Nginx misconfiguration or multiple certificates installed for the same domain.
   • Impact: Users may experience errors like ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR or ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH.
   • Solution: Check server configuration files and ensure only one active certificate per domain. Restart your web server after renewal to apply changes.

5. Expired Intermediate Certificates

   • Cause: The SSL chain of trust includes an expired intermediate certificate.
   • Impact: Some browsers show “Not Trusted Certificate” warnings despite a valid SSL.
   • Solution: Install the updated intermediate certificate provided by the SSL issuer. Rocon handles intermediate certificates automatically for AutoSSL users.

6. Firewall or Security Plugin Blocking Renewal

   • Cause: Security tools (like Wordfence or server firewalls) may block certificate validation requests.
   • Impact: Renewal requests fail silently.
   • Solution: Temporarily disable the firewall/plugin or whitelist the SSL provider’s IP addresses during renewal.

Pro Tips for Smooth SSL Renewal

• Monitor SSL Status Regularly: Use tools like SSL Labs or browser inspection to ensure certificates are active.
• Enable AutoSSL Wherever Possible: Reduces manual intervention and prevents expired certificate errors.
• Document Renewal Procedures: Keep a checklist of domain, DNS, server, and plugin steps for troubleshooting.
• Use Hosting Support: Platforms like Rocon provide step-by-step guidance and 24/7 support for renewal issues.

Even with a smooth SSL renewal process on Rocon, occasional issues can occur that may prevent your website from displaying as fully secure. Understanding these problems and their solutions ensures your website remains trusted by visitors and search engines.

1. Mixed Content Warnings

After SSL renewal, some browsers may show a “Not Secure” warning due to mixed content. This happens when your website still loads HTTP resources like images, scripts, or CSS files instead of HTTPS.

How to Fix:

• Update all internal links to HTTPS in your WordPress settings.
• Use plugins like Really Simple SSL or search-and-replace tools to update hardcoded URLs.
• Check external scripts or embeds to ensure they support HTTPS.

2. Browser Not Recognizing the New Certificate

Sometimes browsers continue to show the old certificate due to cached data. This is common immediately after renewal.

How to Fix:

• Clear your browser cache or try accessing the site in incognito/private mode.
• Restart your browser and, if possible, flush DNS cache on your local system.
• For persistent issues, verify the SSL certificate using tools like SSL Labs or Why No Padlock?

3. SSL Chain of Trust Problems

If intermediate certificates are not installed correctly, some browsers may display errors even after successful renewal. This can happen if the SSL was manually renewed for subdomains.

How to Fix:

• Check that all intermediate certificates are installed correctly in your Rocon dashboard.
• For manual installations, follow Rocon’s Secure Your Site guide to ensure a complete certificate chain.

4. Site Not Loading or Connection Errors

Occasionally, your website may not load post-renewal due to misconfigurations in the server or caching conflicts.

How to Fix:

• Clear your website cache if using a caching plugin.
• Restart your web server if you have access (for Apache/Nginx).
• Confirm that your domain’s DNS settings are pointing correctly and that SSL is active on the correct domain/subdomain.

5. SEO & Crawling Considerations

A renewed SSL certificate can impact SEO if HTTPS redirection isn’t properly set up, causing search engines to index both HTTP and HTTPS versions of your site.

How to Fix:

• Force HTTPS with a 301 redirect in your .htaccess or via your Rocon dashboard.
• Update your sitemap to include HTTPS URLs.
• Verify your site in Google Search Console and check for indexing errors.

6. Regular Monitoring After Renewal

To prevent future SSL-related disruptions:

• Rocon automatically sends notifications for certificate expiration in Rocon.
• Regularly check website accessibility and HTTPS status.
• Combine SSL monitoring with security plugins to catch vulnerabilities early.

Pro Tip: Treat SSL maintenance as part of your overall website security hygiene. Alongside WordPress updates and plugin monitoring, ensuring a valid SSL certificate keeps your website credible and protected.

Renewing an SSL certificate is essential for maintaining website security, protecting user data, and ensuring SEO credibility. Whether you’re managing a single domain, multiple domains, or a WordPress site, following the proper renewal steps guarantees uninterrupted HTTPS functionality and prevents browser warnings.

Leveraging hosting panel tools, Let’s Encrypt, or WordPress plugins like Really Simple SSL simplifies the process while ensuring secure configurations. Regularly monitoring certificate expiration, enabling auto-renewal, and troubleshooting mixed content issues further safeguards your website and enhances user trust.

By adopting these best practices, you gain confidence in managing SSL certificates efficiently, maintain site integrity, and deliver a safe browsing experience to your visitors. Take control of your website security today by staying proactive with SSL renewals.

1. How do I renew an SSL certificate for my website?

You can renew an SSL certificate via your hosting control panel, SSL provider, or by using automated Let’s Encrypt renewal. Ensure you apply the certificate correctly and verify HTTPS functionality.

2. Can I renew SSL certificates for multiple domains at once?

Yes, by using a multi-domain (SAN) SSL certificate, you can secure several domains or subdomains under a single certificate and renew them together.

3. How long does it take to renew an SSL certificate?

Renewal is typically instant if using hosting panel tools or auto-renewal. Manual renewal or Let’s Encrypt commands may take a few minutes to a few hours to propagate.

4. Do I need to reinstall SSL after renewal?

For most hosting panels, SSL is applied automatically after renewal. For manual installations or custom servers, you may need to reinstall the certificate and restart your web server.

5. Why is my website still showing “Not Secure” after SSL renewal?

This usually happens due to mixed content, where some internal links, scripts, or images still use HTTP instead of HTTPS. Updating URLs or using plugins like Really Simple SSL fixes this issue.

6. How can I prevent SSL certificates from expiring unexpectedly?

Enable auto-renewal, track expiration dates using reminders, and maintain regular checks on your SSL configurations to avoid unexpected expiry and website security issues.