The Complete DirectAdmin SSL Guide: Free Let's Encrypt & Custom Certificates

Securing your website with an SSL/TLS Certificate is essential for protecting visitor data, improving Google SEO rankings, and preventing browser "Not Secure" warnings. HTTPS encrypts all login forms, payment details, and web traffic transmitted between your visitors and your server.

This complete guide shows you how to install Free Let's Encrypt SSL certificates or upload Custom Commercial SSL certificates using the Cubes Hosting DirectAdmin Control Panel.

Method 1: Installing Free Let's Encrypt SSL (Recommended)

Cubes Hosting provides free, automated Let's Encrypt SSL certificates for all hosted domains and subdomains. Once installed, Let's Encrypt certificates renew automatically every 90 days.

1. Log in to your Cubes Hosting DirectAdmin Control Panel.
2. Navigate to Account Manager > SSL Certificates.
3. Select Free & automatic certificate from Let's Encrypt.
4. Check all domain entries you wish to secure (e.g. yourdomain.com, www.yourdomain.com, mail.yourdomain.com).
5. Click Save in the bottom right corner.

DirectAdmin will issue your SSL certificate within a few seconds.

Method 2: Installing Your Own Custom SSL Certificate

If you purchased a commercial SSL certificate (such as a Sectigo, Comodo, DigiCert, or Wildcard SSL) from an external provider:

1. Paste Your Certificate and Private Key

1. Go to DirectAdmin > Account Manager > SSL Certificates.
2. Select Paste a pre-existing certificate and key.
3. In the text box, paste your Private Key (.key file text) followed immediately by your Public Certificate (.crt file text):

   -----BEGIN RSA PRIVATE KEY-----
   ... (Your Private Key Text) ...
   -----END RSA PRIVATE KEY-----
   -----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----
   ... (Your Certificate Text) ...
   -----END CERTIFICATE-----
   

4. Click Save.

2. Paste the CA Intermediate Bundle (CABundle)

1. At the top of the SSL Certificates page, click Paste a CA Root Certificate.
2. Paste the text from your Certificate Authority Intermediate Bundle file (.ca-bundle or intermediate.crt).
3. Ensure Use CA Cert is checked and click Save.

Step 3: Enforce HTTPS Redirects (Force SSL)

Once your SSL certificate is installed, configure DirectAdmin to automatically redirect all non-secure HTTP visitors to secure HTTPS:

1. In DirectAdmin, go to Account Manager > Domain Setup.
2. Click on your domain name.
3. Check the box for Force SSL/HTTPS Redirect.
4. Check the box for Use a symlink from private_html to public_html (ensures public_html serves both HTTP and HTTPS).
5. Click Save.

Troubleshooting SSL Warnings

• Mixed Content Warning (Yellow Padlock): Occurs when your webpage is loaded over HTTPS, but contains hardcoded HTTP links to images, scripts, or stylesheets. In WordPress, use plugins like Really Simple SSL or Elementor Replace URL to update links to https://.
• Certificate Domain Mismatch: Ensure you checked both yourdomain.com and www.yourdomain.com during the Let's Encrypt installation process.

Conclusion

Securing your website with HTTPS is fast and automated. Install your free Let's Encrypt certificate under SSL Certificates in DirectAdmin, enable Force SSL/HTTPS Redirect, and keep your visitors protected 24/7!