How to Enable Let’s Encrypt SSL in DirectAdmin

Securing your website with SSL is essential to protect data and improve trustworthiness. DirectAdmin provides a built-in integration with Let’s Encrypt, a free and automated SSL certificate authority, making it easy to enable SSL on your website.

Why Use Let’s Encrypt SSL in DirectAdmin?

• Free SSL Certificates: No additional costs for website security.
• Automated Renewal: No manual intervention needed.
• SEO Benefits: HTTPS is a ranking factor for Google.
• Improved Security: Encrypts data to prevent cyber threats.

Step 1: Log in to DirectAdmin

1. Open your web browser and go to your DirectAdmin login page.
2. Enter your username and password, then click Login.

Step 2: Navigate to SSL Certificate Settings

1. In the DirectAdmin dashboard, go to Account Manager > SSL Certificates.
2. Select the domain where you want to enable Let’s Encrypt SSL.

Step 3: Enable Let’s Encrypt SSL

1. Under SSL Certificate Type, select Free & automatic certificate from Let’s Encrypt.
2. Choose the domain options you want to secure:
   • yourdomain.com
   • www.yourdomain.com
   • mail.yourdomain.com
3. Enable Wildcard SSL if you need SSL for subdomains.
4. Click Save or Issue to generate the SSL certificate.

Step 4: Verify SSL Installation

1. After issuing the certificate, check if your website is accessible via HTTPS.
2. Use an online SSL checker like SSL Labs to confirm SSL installation.

Step 5: Force HTTPS (Redirect HTTP to HTTPS)

1. Navigate to Account Manager > Domain Setup.
2. Click on your domain and find the SSL Settings.
3. Enable Force SSL with HTTPS redirect.
4. Save changes and test your website to ensure all traffic is redirected to HTTPS.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

SSL Certificate Not Issued?

• Ensure your domain is correctly pointed to the hosting server.
• Wait a few minutes and retry issuing the certificate.
• Check for conflicting SSL settings or previous installations.

SSL Not Working?

• Clear browser cache or test in an incognito window.
• Restart the web service in DirectAdmin.
• Verify DNS propagation if you recently updated nameservers.

Conclusion

Enabling Let’s Encrypt SSL in DirectAdmin is a quick and easy way to secure your website. By following these steps, you can ensure your site runs on HTTPS with a free and automatically renewing SSL certificate.

For more DirectAdmin hosting tips, visit xldomein.com!