You visit your website… and suddenly your browser flashes a scary message like:

“Your connection is not private”
“This site is not secure”
“NET::ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID”

Don’t panic. These SSL warnings are common, and in most cases, they’re easy to fix—especially if you’re using PLiKhost’s hosting with free SSL included.

Let’s break down what these warnings mean, why they appear, and how to solve them quickly.

🔍 What is an SSL Warning?

An SSL warning shows up when the browser detects a problem with the HTTPS certificate on a website. These warnings are designed to protect users from:

• Insecure connections

• Expired or misconfigured SSL certificates

• Fake websites impersonating real ones

Even if your site is safe, misconfigured SSL can trigger these alerts.

⚠️ Common SSL Warnings and What They Mean

1. “Your connection is not private”

Error code: NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID, SEC_ERROR_EXPIRED_CERTIFICATE
📌 Cause: Your SSL certificate is expired or your system clock is wrong.
✅ Fix:

• Renew your SSL (PLiKhost renews Let’s Encrypt automatically)

• Check your computer date/time

• In cPanel, click “Run AutoSSL” under SSL/TLS Status

2. “This site is not secure” (No padlock)

📌 Cause: Your site is loading HTTP instead of HTTPS.
✅ Fix:

• Force HTTPS via cPanel or .htaccess

• Use a plugin like “Really Simple SSL” on WordPress

• Make sure internal links and assets (CSS, JS, images) use https://

3. “NET::ERR_CERT_COMMON_NAME_INVALID”

📌 Cause: The domain name in the SSL certificate doesn’t match the one you’re visiting.
✅ Fix:

• Re-issue SSL for the correct domain (e.g. www.domain.com vs domain.com)

• Use a Wildcard SSL if securing subdomains

• Check domain redirects in .htaccess or Cloudflare

4. “SSL Certificate Not Trusted”

📌 Cause: Your SSL was self-signed or issued by an untrusted provider.
✅ Fix:

• Use a trusted SSL (Let’s Encrypt is trusted by all browsers)

• Install the full certificate chain (intermediate certs) if using a paid SSL

✅ PLiKhost handles full chain installation for you automatically.

5. Mixed Content Warnings

Message: “This page is only partially secure”
📌 Cause: Some resources (like images or scripts) are still being loaded via http://.
✅ Fix:

• Update all links in your theme/content to https://

• Use a plugin to fix mixed content in WordPress

• Run tools like Why No Padlock

🧰 How to Check SSL Status (Quick Tools)

Use these tools to diagnose SSL issues:

• 🔎 SSL Checker

• 🧪 Why No Padlock

• 🔐 Your browser’s DevTools → Security tab

• 🔄 Visit your site in Incognito to bypass cache

🛠️ What to Do If You Can’t Fix It

If you’re hosting with PLiKhost, our team can help you:

• Renew or reinstall SSL

• Fix redirect rules

• Clean up mixed content issues

• Reconfigure domains and subdomains

Just open a support ticket—we’ll handle the technical part for you.

🟢 Final Thoughts

SSL warnings may look intimidating, but they’re often easy to resolve with the right steps.
Whether it’s a renewal issue, a misconfigured domain, or mixed content, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Hosting with PLiKhost? You already get:
✅ Free SSL with auto-renew
✅ Browser-trusted certificates
✅ Expert support to help you fix warnings fast

Need help now?
👉 Contact PLiKhost Support and we’ll get your padlock back in place.