Let’s Encrypt provides automated SSL certificates for cPanel accounts, enabling encrypted HTTPS connections without manual certificate management. Certificates are issued, installed, and renewed automatically by the server.
SSL availability on cPanel accounts
On Colonelserver cPanel hosting plans, SSL certificates are enabled by default for supported domains. Newer accounts may use cPanel SSL instead of Let’s Encrypt. Both certificate types provide the same encryption level, browser trust, and automatic renewal behavior. The only visible difference may be the certificate issuer name shown in the browser.
SSL certificates are created automatically for all existing domains on the account and for any domains added later.
Verifying SSL status in cPanel
- Log in to cPanel.
- Open the Tools page.
- In the Security section, click SSL/TLS.
- Open Generate, view, upload, or delete SSL certificates.
- Review the Issuer column for active certificates.
[Screenshot placeholder: SSL/TLS certificates list showing issuer]
If an SSL certificate issued by Let’s Encrypt or cPanel Inc is present, no additional configuration is required.
Automatic certificate management
When SSL is active on the account:
- Certificates are issued automatically.
- Renewal occurs automatically before expiration.
- No manual installation steps are required.
Certificate issuance for newly added domains can take up to several hours. During this period, the site may still load over HTTP until the certificate is published.
Certificate precedence behavior
If a domain already has another SSL certificate installed, including expired or self signed certificates, automatic SSL provisioning is skipped for that domain. Existing certificates always take priority over automatically issued ones.
Common issues preventing SSL issuance
Automatic SSL generation may fail in the following situations:
- Another SSL certificate is already installed on the domain.
- Rewrite rules block access to the validation directory.
Let’s Encrypt requires public access to the following path:
/.well-known/
If rewrite rules interfere with this directory, add the following rule near the top of the .htaccess file:
RewriteRule ^\.well-known - [L]
[Screenshot placeholder: .htaccess rewrite rule example]
This rule ensures the validation directory remains accessible during certificate issuance.
Domain and hosting considerations
SSL works automatically for domains hosted directly on cPanel hosting. Domains routed through external infrastructure or advanced setups may require additional DNS or routing checks.
Projects running on scalable environments such as cloud servers or custom infrastructures like a dedicated server may require manual SSL handling depending on the configuration.
Summary of expected behavior
Once SSL is active:
- HTTPS is available for all supported domains.
- Certificates renew automatically.
- No user interaction is required for maintenance.
If SSL does not activate after domain setup, further investigation of DNS resolution and rewrite rules is recommended.