How to Install a Free Let's Encrypt SSL Certificate

dotCanada provides free SSL certificates through Let's Encrypt, automatically managed by cPanel's AutoSSL feature. In most cases, your SSL certificate is installed automatically when your domain's DNS points to our servers - no manual steps required.

How to Check and Run AutoSSL

1. Log in to your cPanel account.
2. Go to Security › SSL/TLS Status.
3. You'll see a list of your domains and whether each one has a valid certificate.
4. If a domain shows as unprotected, check the box beside it and click Run AutoSSL.

Common Reasons AutoSSL May Not Install

• Your domain's DNS is not yet pointed to dotCanada's servers - AutoSSL requires DNS propagation to complete first.
• The domain has a CAA DNS record that does not permit Let's Encrypt.
• The domain is behind a proxy like Cloudflare in full proxy mode - temporarily disable it during installation.

Verifying Your Certificate

Once AutoSSL completes, visit your site using https://yourdomain.com and confirm the padlock appears in the browser address bar. Let's Encrypt certificates renew automatically every 90 days, so you never need to worry about expiry. If you run into any trouble, contact our support team and we'll get it sorted out for you.