By default, we offer free SSL certificates via Let's Encrypt. Do you still have a purchased certificate (for example an EV or wildcard certificate from another provider) that you want to use? In this article, we explain how to install this manually.

Note: For most websites, the free Let's Encrypt certificate is sufficient. See our article How Do I Set Up SSL on My Website? if you have no specific reason to use a different certificate.

What do you need?

• The certificate file (.crt or .pem) from your certificate provider.
• The corresponding private key (.key).
• Possibly a CA bundle/intermediate certificate, depending on the provider.

Installing the certificate

1. Log in to DirectAdmin via yourwebsite.com:2222.
2. Navigate to SSL Certificates.
3. Choose the option Install a certificate (paste a pre-existing certificate) or Paste a Certificate, depending on the exact naming in your version of DirectAdmin.
4. Paste the contents of your certificate and private key into the designated fields. Add the CA bundle too, if needed.
5. Check the desired domain.
6. Click Save.

Note: Make sure you use the certificate and the matching private key from the same pair. A wrong combination causes an error or an insecure connection.

Troubleshooting

• "Certificate does not match private key" error: check whether you are using the correct, matching key file.
• Browser still shows a warning: check whether the CA bundle/intermediate certificates have been added, this is a common cause of trust issues.
• Certificate expired: request a new certificate from your provider and repeat these steps.

Still stuck? Feel free to reach out via Discord or create a support ticket.