What is AutoSSL and how to use it? Print

At Nixzoehost, we believe that every website deserves to be secure without the headache of manual management. Thats why we provide AutoSSL on all our cPanel-based hosting plans.

AutoSSL is an automated feature that detects, issues, and installs Domain Validated (DV) SSL certificates for every domain and subdomain on your accounttotally free of charge.

How AutoSSL Works

The system runs in the background and performs a "health check" on your domains every 24 hours.

• Automated Issuance: When you add a new addon domain or subdomain, AutoSSL automatically requests a certificate from a trusted provider (like Let's Encrypt or Sectigo).

• Seamless Renewal: Most free certificates are valid for 90 days. AutoSSL monitors these dates and automatically renews them before they expire, ensuring your site never loses its "Green Padlock."

• Zero-Touch Security: Once your domain is pointed to Nixzoehost nameservers, you don't need to generate CSRs or upload files; the server handles the entire handshake for you.

How to Use AutoSSL in your cPanel

While AutoSSL is designed to be "set and forget," you can manually trigger it if you've just added a domain and don't want to wait for the next scheduled run.

1. Check Your Current Status

1. Log in to your cPanel.

2. Under the Security section, click on SSL/TLS Status.

3. Here, you will see a list of all your domains. A Green Lock means you are secure. A Red Lock means the domain is currently insecure.

2. Manually Run AutoSSL

If you see a red lock on a new domain:

1. Select the checkboxes for the domains you wish to secure.

2. Click the blue Run AutoSSL button at the top of the page.

3. The process will take between 2 to 5 minutes. Once finished, the page will refresh, and your padlock should turn green.

Important Requirements for AutoSSL

For AutoSSL to work correctly, a few conditions must be met:

• DNS Alignment: Your domain must be pointed to your Nixzoehost IP address or nameservers. If the domain is pointing elsewhere, the "Domain Control Validation" (DCV) will fail.

• No Conflicts: AutoSSL will generally not attempt to replace a Premium SSL (like an EV or Wildcard you purchased separately) unless that certificate has already expired or is invalid.

• Rate Limits: While there is no limit to the number of domains you can secure, the Certificate Authorities have "rate limits" on how many certificates can be issued per hour. If you have hundreds of subdomains, it may take a few cycles to secure them all.