How to redirect HTTP to HTTPS with .htaccess

Security··· 522 views· 3 min read

This forces every visitor to the encrypted version of your site, even if they type or link to the plain http:// address.

Before you start

Make sure SSL is already active on the domain (it is, by default, through AutoSSL - see what an SSL certificate is) before adding this redirect, or visitors will be sent to a page that doesn't load.

Adding the redirect

1 In cPanel, open File Manager and go into public_html (or the site's folder, if it isn't the main domain).
2 Open the .htaccess file for editing - if there isn't one yet, create it. Make sure hidden files are visible, since it starts with a dot.
3 Add these lines at the very top of the file, above anything already there (such as WordPress's own rules): 
RewriteEngine on
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule (.*) https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [R=301,L]
4 Save the file and test by visiting the http:// version of your site - it should land on https:// automatically.
Using Cloudflare? If your domain's traffic passes through Cloudflare, set the SSL/TLS mode in the Cloudflare dashboard to Full or Full (strict) before adding this rule. On Flexible mode, Cloudflare talks to this server over plain HTTP, so the server always sees %{HTTPS} off and redirects forever - an endless redirect loop that never finishes loading.

Redirect loop or site not loading after this? We'll take a look.

Open a support ticket

Testing it, and the WordPress way

  • In the browser: open a private window and type the address with http://. It should end up on https:// with the padlock. The private window avoids an old redirect the browser may have kept.
  • On the command line: curl -I http://yourdomain.com should answer 301 Moved Permanently, with a Location line pointing to the https:// address.
  • On WordPress: also change WordPress Address and Site Address to https:// in Settings > General. If you would rather not edit .htaccess, an SSL plugin can do the redirect for you. Use one redirect method, not two stacked.
  • A padlock with a warning (mixed content): the page is on https, but some image, script or style is still called with http://. The redirect does not fix that: replace the old addresses in the content (on WordPress, a search and replace plugin does it in the database). The certificate itself is issued by AutoSSL in the panel, at no cost.

SEE ALSO

Why does my SSL certificate show fewer than 365 days?

How to tell if your site has been compromised

What is an SSL certificate and why does it matter?

Want a paid SSL certificate? See the options.

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