How to Renew an SSL Certificate Print

How to Renew an SSL Certificate

SSL certificates have a limited validity period and must be renewed before they expire. Renewing your SSL certificate on time helps keep your website accessible through HTTPS without security warnings or interruption.

Follow the steps below to renew an SSL certificate for your website or hosting service.

1. Check the SSL Expiration Date

Before renewing, confirm when your current SSL certificate expires.

You can usually check the expiration date from:

• Your ApnCloud Client Area
• Your SSL certificate management page
• Your hosting control panel
• Your browser certificate information

Do not wait until the certificate has already expired if renewal can be completed earlier.

2. Log In to the ApnCloud Client Area

Sign in to your ApnCloud Client Area using your registered email address and password.

Open the section where your SSL certificate service is listed.

3. Open Your SSL Certificate Service

Select the SSL certificate that you want to renew.

Review the current service status, domain name, billing information, and available renewal options.

4. Generate or Pay the Renewal Invoice

If a renewal invoice has been generated, open the invoice and complete the payment using one of the available payment methods.

Make sure the invoice is for the correct SSL certificate and domain before completing payment.

5. Review the Domain Information

Before completing the renewal process, confirm that the domain information is still correct.

Check:

• Domain name
• Required subdomains
• Certificate type
• Validation requirements

If your SSL requirements have changed, make sure the renewed certificate still provides the coverage you need.

6. Complete Domain Validation Again if Required

Renewing an SSL certificate may require domain validation again.

Depending on the certificate product, validation may use:

• DNS validation
• Email validation
• HTTP or file-based validation

Follow the exact validation instructions provided for your renewal.

7. Generate a New CSR if Required

Some certificate renewals may require a new Certificate Signing Request, or CSR.

If required, generate the CSR from the server or hosting environment where the certificate will be installed.

Keep the associated private key secure and never share it publicly.

8. Wait for the Renewed Certificate to Be Issued

After successful payment and validation, the certificate authority can issue the renewed SSL certificate.

The required time may vary depending on the certificate type and validation method.

Check your Client Area and registered email address for status updates.

9. Install the Renewed SSL Certificate

After the renewed certificate is issued, install it on the correct hosting account or server.

Depending on your environment, you may need:

• The renewed SSL certificate
• The matching private key
• The certificate chain or intermediate certificate

Make sure the renewed certificate is installed on the correct domain and server.

10. Verify HTTPS After Renewal

Open your website using:

https://yourdomain.com

Confirm that the website loads securely and the renewed certificate is active.

11. Check the New Expiration Date

After installation, verify that the browser or server shows the new certificate expiration date.

This confirms that the renewed certificate is being served instead of the previous certificate.

12. Test Important Domain Versions

Test all hostnames covered by your certificate.

For example:

https://yourdomain.com
https://www.yourdomain.com

Make sure each required hostname loads without certificate warnings.

13. Remove or Replace the Old Certificate Carefully

Once the renewed certificate is confirmed to be working correctly, the previous certificate may no longer be needed.

Do not remove important certificate or private key files until you are certain the new certificate is installed and working correctly.

Common SSL Renewal Problems

If your renewal is not working correctly, check the following:

• The renewal invoice has been paid
• Domain validation has been completed
• The correct CSR was used
• The renewed certificate has been issued
• The new certificate is installed on the correct server
• The certificate matches the correct domain
• The private key matches the certificate
• The certificate chain is configured correctly

Important SSL Renewal Tips

• Renew your certificate before it expires
• Keep your billing and contact information updated
• Complete validation promptly
• Keep private keys secure
• Verify the new expiration date after installation
• Test your website after every certificate renewal

Need Help?

If you experience an issue renewing, validating, issuing, or installing your SSL certificate, please open a Support Ticket from your ApnCloud Client Area.

Include your domain name, SSL product, and a clear description of the issue. Never include your private key or account password in a support ticket.