After enabling an SSL certificate, you should check that your website loads securely using HTTPS.
This guide explains simple ways to check whether your SSL certificate is working correctly.
What Should a Working SSL Certificate Do?
When SSL is working correctly, your website should load using HTTPS.
Example: https://yourdomain.co.za
Your browser should not show a “Not Secure” warning.
Visitors should be able to open your website without SSL certificate errors.
Step 1 – Open Your Website Using HTTPS
Open your browser and visit: https://yourdomain.co.za (Replace yourdomain.co.za with your own domain name.)
Check whether the website opens successfully.
Step 2 – Check the Browser Address Bar
Look at the address bar in your browser.
A working SSL certificate normally shows:
- HTTPS in the website address
- A padlock or site information icon
- No major security warning
If the website opens with HTTP instead of HTTPS, the SSL certificate may be installed but the website may not be redirecting correctly.
Step 3 – Check the Website Without HTTPS
Now open the website using HTTP.
Example: http://yourdomain.co.za
If HTTPS redirect is enabled, the website should automatically change to: https://yourdomain.co.za
If it does not redirect, you may need to enable an HTTPS redirect in DirectAdmin or inside your website settings.
Step 4 – Check the www Version
Some websites use the www version of the domain.
Open your browser and visit: https://www.yourdomain.co.za
Replace yourdomain.co.za with your own domain name.
Make sure the www version also loads securely.
If the www version shows an SSL error, the SSL certificate may not include the www domain.
Step 5 – Check for Browser Warnings
If the browser shows a warning, read the message carefully.
Common warnings include:
- Not Secure
- Your connection is not private
- Certificate expired
- Certificate not trusted
- Certificate name mismatch
- Mixed content warning
These warnings usually mean SSL is missing, expired, installed incorrectly, or the website is loading some content insecurely.
Step 6 – Check SSL in DirectAdmin
You can also check SSL from inside DirectAdmin.
Open your browser and visit: https://cp.yourdomain.co.za (Replace yourdomain.co.za with your own domain name.)
Enter your DirectAdmin username and password.
Click: Log In
Click: Account Manager
Then click: SSL Certificates
Check whether SSL is enabled for the domain.
Step 7 – Check for Mixed Content
If your website loads using HTTPS but still shows a warning, the issue may be mixed content.
Mixed content means the page is secure, but some files are still loading through HTTP.
This may include:
- Images
- Scripts
- Stylesheets
- Fonts
- Embedded content
Mixed content is common after enabling SSL on an existing website.
Common Signs SSL Is Working
Your SSL certificate is likely working if:
- The website loads using HTTPS.
- The browser does not show a major security warning.
- The www and non-www versions work correctly.
- Forms and login pages load securely.
- Visitors are not warned that the site is unsafe.
Common Signs SSL Is Not Working
SSL may not be working if:
- The website only loads with HTTP.
- The browser says “Not Secure”.
- The browser says “Your connection is not private”.
- The SSL certificate has expired.
- The wrong domain name appears on the certificate.
- The www version fails but the non-www version works.
- The website has mixed content warnings.
Important Notes
Please keep the following in mind:
- SSL must be installed for the correct domain.
- SSL must include the www version if your website uses www.
- The domain must point to the correct hosting server.
- DNS changes can take time to update.
- HTTPS redirects may need to be enabled separately.
- Mixed content may need to be fixed inside the website.
When Should I Contact HostworX Support?
Contact HostworX Support if:
- SSL will not install.
- The certificate shows as expired.
- The website shows a certificate error.
- The wrong domain appears on the certificate.
- The website says “Not Secure” after SSL is enabled.
- You are unsure how to fix mixed content warnings.
Conclusion
You can check whether SSL is working by opening your website with HTTPS and checking for browser warnings.
A working SSL certificate should allow the website to load securely without major security errors.
If SSL is installed but the website still shows warnings, you may need to enable HTTPS redirects or fix mixed content.
