Here is a quick guide on how to issue your free LetsEncrypt SSL using cPanel. Before we walk you through it please take note, the SSL's will only work if your domain resolves to our server. So whether you want to install an SSL on:
bigscoots.com
www.bigscoots.com
justin.bigscoots.com
getthepicture.bigscoots.com
depending on which one you want issued an SSL it or all have to be resolving to our server first. If not, the verification process fails as will your ability to use the SSL.
Here is a quick and easy way to know if this is the case, you can use a tool like:
https://www.whatsmydns.net/
It will resolve your domain from many different servers around the world, this is good for when/if you just recently changed your DNS, it will give you a good idea as to how well into the prorogation period you are, as long as most are showing the correct IP, you should be safe to run AutoSSL to issue your certificate.
Now, to get your SSL, please follow the steps below.
Enter cPanel - If you don't know how, you can follow this guide.
Scroll down until you see the Security section and select the SSL/TLS Certificates icon.
This next screen under the status section can be quite overwhelming, mainly because each domain you have in your account may have 7 or more entries, this is because cPanel will automatically add several URL's which can be used for certain services, for example you may see:
domain.com
www.domain.com
cpanel.domain.com
whm.domain.com
webmail.domain.com
etc
To the left of those URL's you will see 1 of 3 things:
The end goal is to see the green lock showing that SSL has been issued successfully.
To issue the SSL and turn the lock green, go to the Wizard section, select the domain you want to issue SSL for, and click Continue. On the next step, choose the Let’s Encrypt SSL option, then click Continue again. The process may take a few minutes, and once completed, the SSL certificate should be issued successfully.
You should now see all green locks going down the line. For any that you don't, you would need to read the text to the right of the URL under the Certificate Status column.
Here are the 2 most common errors:
does not resolve to any IPv4 addresses on the internet.
resolved to an IP address “12.34.56.78” that does not exist on this server.
If this is the case, it can mean a few things.
You just recently updated your domains nameservers and you need to wait a bit longer for DNS to update around the internet.
If you are using BigScoots nameservers then go into the Zone Editor and make sure the URL is pointed to the correct IP.
You are not using BigScoots nameservers and you have to log into the panel where your DNS records are being controlled and update them to point to the correct IP.
Congratulations! You've successfully issued a LetsEncrypt SSL from inside cPanel
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our team via live chat.
For technical inquiries, please feel free to reach our support team by emailing support@bigscoots.com from your registered email or by submitting a support ticket.