Loading...Securing multiple subdomains under a single SSL certificate is not only efficient but also cost-effective, and that’s exactly what a wildcard SSL certificate offers.
In this guide, we’ll walk through how to install a wildcard SSL certificate on cPanel, the popular hosting management interface used by millions of website owners.
Step 1: Prerequisites Before Installation
Before beginning the installation, ensure the following:
- You have access to your cPanel account or WHM (Web Host Manager) if you’re managing a VPS or dedicated server.
- You possess the necessary files: the certificate (CRT), private key, and CA bundle.
If you don’t have these files yet, follow these steps:
- Generate a certificate signing request (CSR) in cPanel
- Purchase an SSL certificate from CheapSSLsecurity.com and follow the steps to issue it
Step 2: Log In to Your cPanel Account
Start by logging into your hosting provider’s cPanel dashboard. If you’re managing the entire server, you may prefer to use WHM, which offers similar functionality from the admin side.
Once inside, scroll down to the “Security” section and click on “SSL/TLS”.
Note: Depending on your cPanel version and hosting provider, the interface and menu structure may vary slightly. However, the core steps remain the same.
Step 3: Upload the Private Key
Under SSL/TLS, choose the “Private Keys (KEY)” option. Here, you can upload your private key, which was either generated during CSR creation or provided to you.
- Click “Upload a New Private Key” if you have the .key file.
- Alternatively, paste the private key content directly into the text area.
- Hit Save once complete.
Note: The private key must match the certificate. If you generated the CSR from cPanel, the key may already be saved there automatically.
Step 4: Upload Your Certificate
Next, go back to the SSL/TLS menu and choose “Certificates (CRT)”.
- Use the form to paste the certificate or upload the .crt file you received from the Certificate Authority (CA).
- Give it a recognizable description.
- Click Save Certificate.
Step 5: Install the SSL Certificate
Return once again to the SSL/TLS section and select “Manage SSL sites”.
- On this page, you’ll see a list of domains hosted on your account.
- Choose the domain that matches your wildcard certificate (for example, example.com).
- cPanel may attempt to auto-fill the certificate and key fields based on previously uploaded data. Double-check that:
- The certificate matches your wildcard domain.
- The private key appears correctly.
- The CA Bundle (sometimes called the intermediate certificate) is included if needed; otherwise, browsers may not trust the certificate chain.
Click “Install Certificate”.
If everything is correctly configured, you should see a success message confirming the installation.
Step 6: Verify Installation
Once installed, you can:
Visit your site over https:// and check the padlock icon.
- Use tools like SSL Checker to verify the SSL configuration.
- Confirm that all subdomains covered by the wildcard certificate are using HTTPS.
Common Issues to Avoid
- Mismatched private key: This is the most common error. Make sure you’re using the key that matches your CSR.
- Missing CA bundle: Some browsers require the intermediate certificates for full trust.
- Using a wildcard on the root domain incorrectly: Remember that *.example.com does not cover example.com, you’ll need to ensure your certificate includes both if required. Note that standard wildcard certificates include the main domain (example.com) by default.
