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SSL Certificate Expires in 51 Days

Your website's SSL certificate will expire in 51 days. You must renew it soon to maintain secure HTTPS connections and avoid browser warnings that can deter use

By Seoxpert Editorial · Published · Updated

Why it matters

An expired SSL certificate causes browsers to display security warnings, which can deter visitors and erode trust. This can lead to lost traffic, reduced conversions, and lower search engine rankings, as HTTPS is a ranking factor. Renewing your certificate ensures uninterrupted secure access and protects your site's reputation and SEO performance.

Impact

If the SSL certificate expires, users will see alarming browser warnings and may be unable to access your site securely. This can cause a sudden drop in traffic, loss of customer trust, and negative SEO consequences. Automated services and APIs relying on HTTPS may also fail, disrupting business operations.

How it's detected

This issue is typically detected by monitoring tools that check SSL certificate validity, server logs, or by manually inspecting the certificate details in a browser. Many certificate authorities also send email notifications before expiration.

Common causes

  • Certificate renewal not scheduled or overlooked
  • Auto-renewal not enabled with certificate authority
  • Renewal notifications sent to inactive or unmonitored email addresses
  • Miscommunication between site owners and IT teams about renewal responsibilities

How to fix it

Log in to your certificate authority (CA) account and schedule the renewal of your SSL certificate before it expires. Enable auto-renewal if your CA offers this feature to avoid future lapses. Ensure that renewal notifications are sent to an actively monitored email address. After renewal, verify that the new certificate is correctly installed on your server. Test your site using SSL tools to confirm the new certificate is active and trusted by browsers.

Code examples

Check SSL certificate expiration date via command line

echo | openssl s_client -servername example.com -connect example.com:443 2>/dev/null | openssl x509 -noout -dates

Reload NGINX after installing renewed certificate

sudo nginx -s reload

Reload Apache after installing renewed certificate

sudo systemctl reload apache2

FAQ

What happens if I don't renew my SSL certificate before it expires?

If your SSL certificate expires, browsers will display security warnings or block access to your site. This can cause users to leave, damage your reputation, and negatively impact SEO.

How can I check when my SSL certificate expires?

You can check the expiration date by clicking the padlock icon in your browser's address bar, using command-line tools like OpenSSL, or with online SSL checker tools.

Can I renew my SSL certificate before it expires?

Yes, most certificate authorities allow you to renew your SSL certificate up to 90 days before expiration. Renewing early does not shorten the new certificate's validity period.

Will enabling auto-renewal guarantee my SSL certificate never expires?

Auto-renewal reduces the risk of expiration, but you must ensure payment methods are valid and that renewal notifications are sent to monitored email addresses. Always verify that the renewed certificate is installed correctly.

Do I need to restart my web server after installing a renewed SSL certificate?

Yes, after installing the new certificate, you should reload or restart your web server (e.g., Apache or NGINX) to apply the changes.

Does an expiring SSL certificate affect SEO before it actually expires?

No, SEO is not affected until the certificate expires. However, if search engines detect an expired certificate, your rankings and site visibility can be negatively impacted.

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