How to Install a Free SSL Certificate in DirectAdmin (Let's Encrypt)
All Hostking hosting plans include a free SSL certificate powered by Let's Encrypt. SSL secures your website with HTTPS, removes the "Not Secure" warning in browsers and is required for Google to rank your site well. This guide shows you how to install it in DirectAdmin.
Before You Start
Your domain must be pointed to Hostking and DNS must have fully propagated before SSL will install successfully. If your domain was recently pointed to Hostking, wait 24 hours before attempting SSL installation.
Step-by-Step
Step 1 — Log into DirectAdmin.
Step 2 — Under the Domain Settings section, click SSL Certificates.
Step 3 — You will see several tabs at the top. Click Free & automatic certificate from Let's Encrypt.
Step 4 — Make sure your domain is selected in the dropdown.
Step 5 — Tick the boxes for all the domain variations you want the SSL to cover:
yourdomain.comwww.yourdomain.commail.yourdomain.com(if you want to secure webmail access)
Step 6 — Click Save. DirectAdmin will contact Let's Encrypt, generate the certificate and install it automatically. This usually takes less than 30 seconds.
Step 7 — Once complete you will see a green confirmation message. Your SSL is now active.
Step 8 — Force HTTPS (Redirect HTTP to HTTPS)
Installing the SSL certificate alone does not automatically redirect visitors to the secure version of your site. You need to add a redirect so that anyone visiting http://yourdomain.com is automatically sent to https://yourdomain.com.
Option A — Via DirectAdmin SSL settings
After installing the SSL, look for a checkbox that says Force SSL with https redirect and tick it, then click Save.
Option B — Via .htaccess
Open File Manager in DirectAdmin, navigate to public_html and edit the .htaccess file. Add these lines at the very top:
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]Save the file and visit your website — it should now automatically use HTTPS.
Step 9 — Fix Mixed Content Warnings in WordPress
After enabling HTTPS, your WordPress site may still show a "Not Secure" warning or broken padlock because some content (images, scripts) is still loading over HTTP. To fix this:
- Install the free plugin Better Search Replace
- Go to Tools → Better Search Replace
- In the Search field enter:
http://yourdomain.com - In the Replace field enter:
https://yourdomain.com - Select all tables and click Run Search/Replace
This updates all internal links in your database to use HTTPS.
Common Problems
"Error: Let's Encrypt could not verify your domain"
Your domain's DNS has not fully propagated to Hostking yet. Wait another few hours and try again. Use whatsmydns.net to check that your nameservers are showing as Hostking's in most locations.
SSL installed but site still shows "Not Secure"
You need to force HTTPS — see Step 8 above. The SSL certificate being installed and HTTPS being forced are two separate steps.
"Too many redirects" error after adding .htaccess rules
You may have conflicting redirect rules. Check your .htaccess for duplicate RewriteEngine lines or conflicting rules and remove them.
SSL certificate expired
Let's Encrypt certificates are valid for 90 days. Hostking renews them automatically — if a certificate has expired, contact our support team and we'll renew it manually.
Need Help?
Our support team is available every day from 7am to 10pm via live chat at hostking.host or by opening a ticket at my.hostking.host.
