An SSL certificate encrypts the traffic between visitor and server and ensures the lock icon in the address bar. In Plesk, you can install this without technical knowledge: you choose a certificate type, let Plesk perform the domain verification, and then enable HTTPS. Below you’ll read which certificate types exist, how to install them step by step, and how to check that everything is set up correctly.
SSL certificate types in Plesk
Plesk supports several types of certificates. Which one you choose depends on your website and budget.
- Let’s Encrypt: free, renews automatically, and suitable for virtually any website.
- Commercial certificates: paid certificates with extensive validation, often used by businesses that want to offer visitors extra assurance.
- Wildcard certificates: protect a domain and all subdomains at once (for example *.yourdomain.com), handy if you manage multiple subdomains.
Steps to install SSL
Log in to Plesk
Open Plesk via your hosting environment, go to Domains, and select the domain on which you want to install SSL.
Open SSL/TLS Certificates
Click ‘SSL/TLS Certificates’ in the left menu. Here you can see existing certificates and add a new one.
Choose and generate the certificate
Select Let’s Encrypt for a free certificate, or choose ‘Other certificate’ to upload a commercial certificate. Plesk requests the certificate and installs it.
Verification and activation
Plesk automatically checks whether you manage the domain. This usually happens fully automatically, and the certificate is active within a few minutes.
Activating and testing SSL
After installation, set HTTPS active for the domain. Go to the domain settings in Plesk and enable ‘Use HTTPS’. All traffic will then be automatically redirected from http to https.
Then check whether the installation is correct with an online SSL check tool. Enter your domain and see whether the certificate is correctly recognized and whether the chain is complete. This prevents warnings in visitors’ browsers.
Also pay attention to the other parts of your domain configuration: a correct DNS setting and a valid domain name link are required before Plesk can successfully verify the certificate. If you also want to secure your business email, check whether your mail server also runs through a valid certificate.
Common issues
If verification fails, first check whether the domain actually points to the correct server. An incorrect DNS setting is the most common cause of a failed Let’s Encrypt request.
If you still see a mixed content warning after installation, part of your website is still loading via http. In that case, adjust the links in your CMS or theme to https.
If you can’t figure it out yourself, consult the knowledge base or contact support for help with the installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take before my SSL certificate is active?
Let’s Encrypt certificates are usually active within a few minutes. Commercial certificates can take longer, depending on the issuer’s validation process.
Can I change SSL certificates without downtime?
Yes, Plesk switches certificates seamlessly without your website needing to go offline.
What happens if my certificate expires?
With automatic renewal enabled, Plesk renews the certificate automatically. Without this setting, you must renew it manually before it expires.
Can I have multiple certificates on one domain?
Yes, for example, you can combine a separate certificate for www.yourdomain.com with a wildcard certificate for subdomains.
Does SSL also work if I switch to a different hosting provider?
When switching to Tandata, your certificate is reconfigured in Plesk, so your site remains immediately secured.
Conclusion
Installing an SSL certificate in Plesk takes just a few steps: choose the right certificate type, let Plesk handle the verification, and activate HTTPS. Enable automatic renewal so your site always stays secured without any extra effort.