EasyWP: How to add SSL to your WordPress site

By default, SSL is enabled on FREE addresses (like yourapp-username.easywp.com). To add an SSL to the WordPress site linked to your real domain name, follow the steps provided in this article.

If you already have necessary certificate files for SSL installation, feel free to proceed with the steps described in the SSL installation section. Otherwise, check the Pre-requisites first.

Pre-requisites

Purchase an SSL certificate before installing it. You may browse the SSL certificates offered by Namecheap or choose a third-party provider.
If you use SSL certificate from Namecheap, follow this guide to activate it after the purchase.
- You will be asked to submit a CSR code to our system during the SSL activation. In order to create one for your SSL certificate, please follow the How to generate a CSR guide.
- Save the Private Key code (generated along with the CSR code) properly on your end, you will need to use it later to install the certificate.
  You can copy the code, including "-----BEGIN RSA PRIVATE KEY-----" and "-----END RSA PRIVATE KEY-----" headings, paste it to the text file and save as the ".txt" or the ".key" file.
  Note: Ensure you select ANSI format, also known as ASCII, saving the file with the help of text editor.
  If the key file is not saved, you'll need to generate a new pair of CSR code and Private key and replace the CSR code for the certificate.
- Next, you will be prompted to select a domain validation method, for the SSL certificate ordered from Namecheap, it is possible to use either of the below methods:
  
  DNS-based method if the domain is using Namecheap basic nameservers.
  Email-based method with Whois email address, if such is present and not hidden to be used.
  HTTP-based method can be performed by uploading the file over SFTP.
  Note: Make sure you connected EasyWP to your FTP client before proceeding with HTTP-based validation method.
Once all the activation steps are done and the domain validation is completed, your SSL order will be issued and you'll receive two files from Certificate Authority: SSL certificate (file with .crt extension) and CA Bundle (file with .ca-bundle extension).
An email with the files will be sent to the administrative contact email address for the SSL order, you will also be able to download them in your Namecheap account.
To add an SSL certificate to your website, you will need to upload, paste as plain text or just drag-and-drop the following files via an SSL installation wizard. If you paste the text codes, ensure you keep the "BEGIN" and "END" tags included in every code.

Private Key - use the file with the ".key" or with the ".txt" extension that you saved after CSR code generation.
SSL Certificate - use the SSL Certificate files with ".crt" extension which you receive from the CA.
CA Bundle - it's the file with the ".ca-bundle" extension received from the Certificate Authority via email or downloaded in your account panel.

SSL installation

1. Login to your EasyWP panel: in the Namecheap account Dashboard, open the Apps tab and click on the EasyWP icon, then click on your site name on the next page:

2. In the Website section find the domain name in question >> click Manage next to the SSL Certificate.

3. Click Add on the next page.

4. Tick Custom SSL Certificate option.

The Private Key, SSLCertificate and CA Bundle boxes will appear. You can paste the corresponding codes, browse Certificate and Private key or drag-and-drop the corresponding files from your PC.

Important note: Please use the full CA Bundle, with the CA Root Certificate included, for filling out the CA Bundle box, or, browse the corresponding file. You can find the full CA Bundles in this article.

After filling in the boxes, click Change to enable your custom Certificate.

On the next page, switch the toggle to change the Status state to "Active".

Note: If you have a CDN service enabled for the website, a Sync option will appear on this stage shortly after the certificate's been enabled. Click the Sync button in order to get the same certificate installed on CDN. Keep in mind that for the website with CDN option turned On, it is obligatory to have the SSL certificate installed on both EasyWP and CDN services.

Note: We recommend keeping the Private key file stored on your side after the SSL installation is done. You may need this file to install the certificate at any other server, or if you need to re-install the same certificate on EasyWP once again later.

Note: To get to the SSL wizard (if you are not there yet) from within your EasyWP dashboard, click the needed website Domains.

That's it!

EasyWP is Namecheap's fast and reliable Managed WordPress Hosting solution.

Need any help? Contact our HelpDesk

Associated articles

EasyWP: F.A.Q.

EasyWP: How to create a WordPress site

EasyWP: Dashboard overview

Updated

1/27/2021

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