Resolving Common SSL Errors in WordPress: A Troubleshooting Guide

A Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate is essential for securing your WordPress website, encrypting data, and ensuring safe connections for visitors. However, SSL errors can sometimes appear, causing security warnings, broken sites, or even loss of traffic. If you’re seeing messages like “Your connection is not private” or “SSL certificate not trusted”, don’t worry—this guide will help you identify and fix common SSL issues in WordPress.

Why SSL Matters for Your WordPress Website

SSL certificates encrypt data between a website and its visitors, preventing hackers from stealing sensitive information. A valid SSL certificate is crucial for:

✅ Security & Data Protection – Encrypts login credentials, payment info, and personal data.
✅ SEO Benefits – Google prioritizes HTTPS websites in search rankings.
✅ Trust & Credibility – Visitors feel safer browsing a secure website.
✅ Avoiding Browser Warnings – Browsers like Chrome and Firefox flag non-SSL websites as “Not Secure”.

If your WordPress site has SSL issues, it can hurt SEO, user trust, and site functionality. Let’s go over the most common SSL errors and how to fix them.

Common SSL Errors in WordPress & How to Fix Them

1️⃣ “Your Connection is Not Private” Error

Cause:

• The SSL certificate is expired, missing, or improperly installed.

Fix:

✔ Check SSL Expiry – Use tools like SSL Checker to confirm whether your certificate is active. Renew it if needed.
✔ Reinstall Your SSL Certificate – Go to your hosting control panel and reinstall the certificate manually.
✔ Use Let’s Encrypt (Free SSL) – If you don’t have an SSL, many hosts offer Let’s Encrypt for free.

2️⃣ Mixed Content Warnings

Cause:

• Some website resources (images, scripts, CSS) still use HTTP instead of HTTPS, leading to security warnings.

Fix:

✔ Use a Plugin to Fix Mixed Content – Install Really Simple SSL to automatically detect and convert HTTP resources to HTTPS.
✔ Manually Update URLs – Use Better Search Replace to update database URLs from http://yoursite.com to https://yoursite.com.
✔ Check Theme & Plugin Files – Ensure all CSS, JavaScript, and images are using HTTPS.

3️⃣ SSL Certificate Not Trusted

Cause:

• The SSL certificate is issued by an untrusted source or is self-signed.

Fix:

✔ Use a Trusted SSL Provider – Purchase SSL certificates from Let’s Encrypt, Cloudflare, DigiCert, or GoDaddy.
✔ Check Certificate Installation – Log into your cPanel > SSL/TLS > Manage SSL Sites and ensure your certificate is properly installed.
✔ Verify Certificate Chain – Use SSL Labs’ SSL Test to check if your SSL certificate has missing chains.

4️⃣ Too Many Redirects Error (ERR_TOO_MANY_REDIRECTS)

Cause:

• Incorrect HTTPS settings cause a redirection loop.
• WordPress forces HTTP to HTTPS, but the server settings conflict.

Fix:

✔ Update WordPress URL – In WordPress Admin > Settings > General, ensure both WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) use HTTPS.
✔ Check .htaccess Rules – Ensure there’s no conflicting redirect code in .htaccess. Add this rule if needed:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} !=on
RewriteRule ^ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

✔ Disable SSL Plugins Temporarily – Some plugins (like Really Simple SSL) can cause redirect issues. Disable them and check if the problem resolves.

5️⃣ “ERR_SSL_PROTOCOL_ERROR”

Cause:

• Browser or server doesn’t support the SSL protocol correctly.

Fix:

✔ Clear Browser Cache & Restart – Sometimes, old SSL data is cached. Clear cookies and restart the browser.
✔ Check Hosting Server Settings – Ensure your server supports TLS 1.2 or higher (older TLS versions are deprecated).
✔ Disable Firewall or Proxy (Temporarily) – If you’re using Cloudflare or a CDN, disable SSL settings there and try again.

6️⃣ “SSL Handshake Failed”

Cause:

• Server and browser can’t establish a secure connection due to protocol mismatches.

Fix:

✔ Check SSL/TLS Version – Ensure your server supports TLS 1.2 or TLS 1.3 for compatibility.
✔ Disable Antivirus or VPN (Temporary Check) – Some security tools interfere with SSL handshakes. Try disabling them and reloading the site.
✔ Verify SSL Installation – Use SSL Labs Test to diagnose handshake failures.

7️⃣ “HSTS Issues After Installing SSL”

Cause:

• HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) forces HTTPS, but some browsers cache old security settings.

Fix:

✔ Clear Browser Cache & Restart – Open Chrome Settings > Privacy > Clear Browsing Data and clear cached content.
✔ Disable HSTS in .htaccess – If you need to temporarily disable HSTS, add this line to .htaccess:

Header always set Strict-Transport-Security "max-age=0;"

✔ Wait or Use Incognito Mode – HSTS settings are cached; try accessing the site in Incognito Mode to bypass cached rules.

Prevent Future SSL Errors in WordPress

🔹 Enable Auto-Renew for SSL Certificates – Many hosting providers allow automatic renewal for SSL certificates.

🔹 Use HTTPS from Day One – When launching a site, start with HTTPS to avoid future mixed content issues.

🔹 Regularly Check SSL Expiry – Set reminders to check your SSL certificate before expiration.

🔹 Update WordPress, Plugins, and Themes – Keeping everything up to date prevents security vulnerabilities.

🔹 Use a CDN with SSL Support – Services like Cloudflare, KeyCDN, or AWS CloudFront offer free SSL and protect your site.

Final Thoughts: Keep Your WordPress Site Secure with SSL

A properly configured SSL certificate is essential for security, SEO, and user trust. If your WordPress site is showing SSL errors, troubleshooting them quickly prevents loss of traffic and credibility.

By following this guide, you can fix SSL issues and ensure that your website remains secure, accessible, and optimized for both visitors and search engines.

Need Help with SSL Setup or Fixing Errors?

🚀 Struggling with SSL issues on your WordPress site? Contact us today for expert troubleshooting and secure setup!