Common Installation Issues

Certificate chain problems frequently cause validation failures. Browsers may work due to cached intermediate certificates while other clients fail. Ensure complete certificate chains are configured. Use OpenSSL commands like openssl s_client -connect yourdomain.com:443 -showcerts to verify chain completeness. Online tools help identify missing intermediates.

Private key mismatches occur when certificates and keys become separated or confused. Verify certificate/key pairing using OpenSSL modulus comparison. Permission problems prevent web servers from reading certificate files. Balance security with functionality when setting file permissions. SELinux or AppArmor policies may block certificate access on security-hardened systems.

Mixed content warnings indicate resources still loading over HTTP. Update internal links, resource references, and database content to use HTTPS URLs. Content Security Policy headers can automatically upgrade insecure requests during migration. Browser developer tools identify specific resources causing warnings.

Successfully installing SSL certificates requires attention to platform-specific details while understanding universal principles. Whether using automated tools or manual processes, verification and monitoring ensure continued security. The next chapter addresses common SSL errors and their solutions, preparing you to troubleshoot issues that may arise after installation.