How to install a free Let's Encrypt SSL certificate in cPanel
Secure your website with a free, auto-renewing SSL certificate. This 3-minute cPanel walkthrough works on all Danets Server hosting plans.
IM
Ibrahim Musa
Security Engineer
An SSL certificate encrypts the connection between your website and its visitors, protecting passwords, payment data, and personal information. It's also a Google ranking factor — sites without SSL get a "Not Secure" warning in Chrome.
The good news? Every Danets Server hosting plan includes a free Let's Encrypt SSL certificate — auto-renewed forever, no setup fees, no expiry worries.
Step 1: Log into cPanel
Log into your cPanel at https://yourdomain.com:2083 (or via your WHMCS client portal).
Step 2: Open SSL/TLS Status
Scroll to the Security section and click SSL/TLS Status.
Step 3: Run AutoSSL
Click the Run AutoSSL button. cPanel will request and install a Let's Encrypt certificate for your domain and all subdomains (including www and mail).
This takes 30-60 seconds. You'll see a green checkmark when complete.
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Edit the .htaccess file (create one if it doesn't exist)
Add these lines at the top:
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]
Save the file
Step 5: Verify
Visit your website at https://yourdomain.com. You should see a padlock icon in the browser address bar. Click it to verify the certificate details.
Auto-renewal
Let's Encrypt certificates are valid for 90 days. cPanel's AutoSSL automatically renews them before expiry — you never need to do anything.
Wildcard SSL
Need SSL for *.yourdomain.com (all subdomains at once)? Wildcard SSL is included on Danets Server Business and Professional plans. It's automatically provisioned when you add a subdomain.
Troubleshooting
"Certificate not installed" error — Make sure your domain's DNS points to our nameservers. Check in cPanel → Zone Editor.
"Not secure" warning persists — Clear your browser cache or try incognito mode. Also check that all images and scripts on your page use https:// URLs (mixed content).
CSR/Private key errors — Don't generate a CSR manually. AutoSSL handles everything automatically. If you've manually installed a certificate, remove it first.
Need help?
Our support team will install your SSL for free — just open a ticket and we'll handle it within 15 minutes.