Cloudways provides a free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate for every application, which you can enable in a few clicks from the dashboard. You can also install a custom SSL certificate from any certificate authority if your project requires a paid or organisation-validated certificate.
Is there a Free SSL Certificate on Cloudways?
Yes. Cloudways includes free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates for all applications. Let’s Encrypt certificates are valid for 90 days and Cloudways auto-renews them before they expire, so there is no manual renewal step required once the certificate is installed.
Can One SSL Certificate Cover Multiple Applications?
Yes, with conditions. A single SSL certificate can cover multiple applications on the same server if they share the same IP address. However, you cannot have more than one certificate active on a single application. Adding a new SSL certificate to an application replaces any existing certificate on that application.
Generating a CSR for a Custom SSL Certificate
If you are purchasing a custom SSL certificate from a certificate authority, you first need to generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) through Cloudways. The CSR is a small file that contains your site and organisation details. Submit it to your chosen certificate authority to receive your SSL certificate files. If you are using the free Let’s Encrypt option, you do not need to generate a CSR.
How to Install SSL on Cloudways
Step 1 – Log In
Log into your Cloudways account using your credentials.
Step 2 – Select Your Server
Click Servers in the top navigation bar and select the server that hosts the application you want to secure.
Step 3 – Open Application Management
Inside the server panel, click the www icon on the right side of your application row. This opens the Application Management menu. From there, click SSL Certificate in the left panel.
Step 4 – Choose Your SSL Type and Install
The SSL Certificate panel offers two options. Follow the steps for the one that applies to your situation.
Option A: Free Let’s Encrypt SSL
- Select the Let’s Encrypt tab in the SSL Certificate panel.
- Enter your domain name in the Domain field (for example:
yourdomain.com). If you want the certificate to also cover the www version, add it as a second entry. - Enter your email address. Cloudways uses this to notify you of any renewal issues.
- Click Install Certificate. The process takes one to two minutes. Once complete, your application will show as secured.
Option B: Custom SSL Certificate
- Select the Custom SSL tab in the SSL Certificate panel.
- Paste the full contents of your SSL certificate file (the .crt or .pem file your certificate authority issued) into the Certificate field.
- Paste your private key (generated when you created the CSR) into the Private Key field. The private key must match the certificate exactly.
- If your certificate authority provided an intermediate or chain certificate, paste it into the Certificate Authority (CA) Chain field. Not all CAs require this.
- Click Install Certificate to complete the installation.
Verifying SSL Is Working
After installing, confirm the certificate is active before relying on it:
- Visit your site at
https://yourdomain.comand check that the browser shows a padlock icon in the address bar. - Click the padlock and check the certificate details to confirm the domain name and expiry date are correct.
- If the site still loads over HTTP, you need to redirect HTTP to HTTPS. See the guide on redirecting HTTP to HTTPS on Cloudways.
SSL Renewal on Cloudways
Let’s Encrypt certificates auto-renew every 90 days through Cloudways. No manual action is required after the initial installation. If auto-renewal fails (usually due to DNS changes or a domain that is no longer pointing to the server), Cloudways sends a notification to the email address on the certificate. Custom SSL certificates do not auto-renew and must be manually replaced before the expiry date from your certificate authority.
Final Word: Installing SSL on Cloudways
If SSL installation fails with a file permission error, you may need to reset your file and folder permissions on Cloudways before retrying.
Installing SSL on Cloudways takes a few clicks whether you use the free Let’s Encrypt option or a custom certificate from your own authority. For most sites, Let’s Encrypt is the right choice: it is free, covers the domain fully, and renews automatically. Once your SSL certificate is active, redirect all traffic to HTTPS. For the broader security context including WAF rules, Cloudflare Full (Strict) settings, and mixed-content troubleshooting, see our Cloudways security and SSL guide. If you manage DNS through Cloudways, the DNS Made Easy add-on can reduce propagation time with lower TTL settings before SSL installation.
