How to Renew SSL Certificate in Four Simple Steps?

Renewing SSL Certificate – What it is and how it works!

SSL Renewal process is an integral part of the whole SSL process. Renewing SSL certificates before the expiry date is very crucial from your website’s security point of view. However, the enterprises often tend to forget about renewing their SSL certificates.

What Happens if you Forget to Renew SSL Certificate?

If you forget to renew SSL certificate, then a warning message, “The site’s security certificate is expired” displayed on the user’s screen. The cyber criminals could take advantage of expired SSL certificate and may try to steal and tamper the information transmitting between the browser and server.

Needless to say, the customers can hardly trust you if they find the certificate to be expired. This could lead to a massive dent as far as your reputation on the web is concerned. If your website is an online business platform, you better start praying.

browser security certificate has expired

Four Easy Steps to Renew SSL Certificate

An SSL/TLS certificate you purchased comes with a fixed validity period of one and two years that cannot be changed. However, once the certificate expires, you’re required to replace the expired SSL/TLS certificate by renewing with the new one for continuing the secured connection.

Buying the renewal SSL Certificate.
Activation of renewal SSL certificate.
Validation of renewal SSL certificate.
Installation of renewal SSL certificate.

1. Buying Renewal SSL/TLS Certificate:

Once the installed SSL certificate reaches its expiry date, it’s required to purchase the new SSL/TLS certificate for renewing it. Also, the renewal of the SSL certificate is possible 30 days before its expiration date. Also, regular renewal notification is sent to the user’s registered email address 30, 15, 7, and 1 day prior to the expiration date.

And it’s possible to add renewal of your SSL/TLS certificate to your cart, right from the received notification email of SSL renewal, or you can even log in to your account and continue the process.

Renewing From Received Email

Simply click “Renew Now” from the received email. It’ll redirect you to the cart. Once you complete the pending process of purchasing the SSL, you’ll further need to activate that purchased SSL and install it.

Renewing From Account Panel

Go to your SSL certificate provider website and login to your account.
Now, go to Expiring/Expired and then Products section into the account. And, click on the cart icon, which is next to the certificate you’re looking to renew. And, you’ll be redirected to the cart.

Early Renewal

On the other hand, if you’re aware that your SSL/TLS certificate’s expiration date is near and you want to renew it earlier, it’s possible. You can renew your SSL/TLS certificate before 30 to 90 days of the expiration date. Also, the days left in the existing SSL/TLS certificate will be added to your newly purchased SSL/TLS certificate.

Renewal Benefits Options	Renewal Bonus
Before 1-15 days Before Expiry	1 Month
Before 16-45 days Before Expiry	2 Months
Before 46-90 days Before Expiry	3 Months
After 1-15 days of Expiry	1 Month

2. Activation of Renewal SSL/TLS Certificate

For activating the purchased renewal SSL/TLS certificate you need to follow certain steps, and they’re,

From Cpanel (Control Panel), generate a new CSR code.
In the Domain List section, select the option: All Products
Through the search area, type the domain name that’s linked with that renewal SSL/TLS certificate.
Click the arrow button beside the domain of the certificate. Now, go to the certificate which displays the ‘NEWRENEWAL’ status. And, click the Activate button.

Once the above steps are completed, you’ll get the same activation flow, which was there for expiring SSL/TLS certificate.

3. Validation of Renewal SSL/TLS Certificate

Once you reach here, you’ll be required to complete the DCV (Domain Control Validation) using any of the below-chosen methods at the time of activation:

File based Verification
Email Verification
Domain Registrar’s information

However, if you’re renewing Organization Validated or Extended Validated SSL/TLS certificate, then like you did in the past, you’ll have to verify the documents as per the guidelines of the CA (Certificate Authority). Due to that, we suggest you keep all your required documents ready, so the process doesn’t get delayed.

4. Installation of Renewal SSL/TLS Certificate

Once the above steps are completed, you can move further and start your SSL installation process using any of the guides based upon your server, or else you can contact your hosting provider for help.

Where to Renew SSL Certificate?

As it happens most of the times, the website owners forget about renewing the SSL certificates. The SSL certificate providers are well aware of this fact and therefore they keep sending timely reminders to the certificate holders. So, keep checking your mail box to avoid any troubles.

Whether you have purchased SSL certificate(s) from a certificate authority (CA) or a reseller, you can contact and ask their support staff to get some discount.

SSL Renewal FAQs

Does SSL/TLS Certificate expire?

Yes, SSL/TLS Certificate expires once its validity period is over, which is from 1-2 years. No matter from whom you purchase, whether a Certificate Authority or any Reseller, the validity period remains the same.

How to know whether my SSL/TLS Certificate is expired?

Once your SSL/TLS Certificate expires, “Not Secure” warning sign appears on the address bar along with the message like “Your connection is not private” or “Warning: Potential Security Risk Ahead” of all the popular web browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, whenever someone tries to access the website. Again, free online tools such as SSL Checker is available, which can help you know whether SSL is expired or not.

Can I use the same CSR to renew my SSL/TLS certificate?

No, you cannot use the same CSR to renew your SSL/TLS Certificate.

Do I need a new CSR when Renewing SSL?

Yes, new CSR is needed whenever you renew your SSL/TLS Certificate, as they are generated uniquely.

How long does it take to Renew an SSL Certificate?

Once your SSL Certificate expires, it needs to be renewed. Again, the issuance time length is same as of you purchased for the first time. If you are renewing a Domain Validated (DV) SSL Certificate, it will be done within a matter of minutes. If you’re renewing an Organization Validated (OV) SSL Certificate, it will take about 1-3 days and if it’s an Extended Validated (EV) SSL Certificate, it will take around 1-5 days.

How do I extend my SSL certificate expiration?

No, you cannot extend the expiration or validity period of your installed SSL/TLS Certificate. But it’s possible for you to renew your SSL/TLS Certificate 90 days before expiration.

How do I Fix Expired SSL Certificate warning?

SSL Certificate comes up with the validity of 1 year or 2 years and the Certificate Authority sends the renewal reminder as per their schedule. Now, if you forget to renew your certificate, the browser shows the Expired SSL Certificate warning.

Here’s how you can fix the issue.

Search for the most suitable SSL certificate for your website from SSLRenwwals.com.
Press the Renew Now button.
Add the required details one by one
Review your SSL Order
Complete your order
Generate CSR and Private Key
Complete the domain and business verification process
Install the SSL on your server.
You will no longer suffer from an Expired SSL Certificate warning.

Note: If you have any troubles or questions regarding SSL certificate renewal, you should contact your SSL provider to resolve such issues.