“Let’s Encrypt Not Working” CyberPanel Error | Troubleshooting

Learn how to fix the ”Let’s Encrypt Not Working” CyberPanel error. Our
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“Let’s Encrypt Not Working” CyberPanel Error | Troubleshooting

Most CyberPanel users encounter the “Let’s Encrypt not working” error. According to our experts, this error signifies a problem in obtaining an SSL certificate for a domain using Let’s Encrypt.

This error can manifest in several ways, such as receiving a success message despite no valid certificate being issued, or experiencing issues with HTTPS access.

Today, we will delve into the impacts, common causes, solutions, and preventative measures for this issue.

An Overview:

• Impacts of the Error
• Common Causes and Fixes
• 1. DNS Configuration Issues
• 2. Rate Limiting by Let’s Encrypt
• 3. Folder Permissions
• 4. ModSecurity Blocking
• 5. Self-Signed Certificate Generation
• 6. OpenSSL Misconfiguration
• 7. Firewall or Security Software Interference
• Prevention Strategies

Impacts of the Error

• Without a valid SSL certificate, data exchanged between the server and users is not encrypted, making it susceptible to interception.
• Browsers will display warnings of insecure connections, which can degrade user trust and potentially cause loss of traffic.
• Improper SSL settings can also interrupt email delivery, affecting communication.

Common Causes and Fixes

1. DNS Configuration Issues

Incorrect DNS records prevent Let’s Encrypt from verifying domain ownership.

Fix:

1. First, log in to your CyberPanel dashboard.
2. Next, check the server’s IP address displayed in CyberPanel.
3. Use a tool like “What’s My DNS” (https://www.whatsmydns.net) to confirm that the A record for your domain points to the correct IP.
4. If the A record is incorrect, correct it in your domain registrar’s DNS management panel. Allow up to 48 hours for changes to propagate.
5. Then, Navigate to DNS > Create DNS Zone and enter the domain name.
6. Now, Go to DNS > Add/Delete Records.
7. Finally, add an “A” record with `@` as the name and your server’s IP.

2. Rate Limiting by Let’s Encrypt

You may have exceeded Let’s Encrypt’s SSL issuance limit for a domain (5 certificates per week).

Fix:

1. First, check existing certificates:

   certbot certificates
2. Revoke any unused certificates:

   certbot revoke --cert-path /path/to/certificate.pem
3. Retry SSL issuance after a week.
4. Go to Websites > Manage, select your website, and attempt to issue a new SSL certificate.

3. Folder Permissions

Incorrect permissions on web directories might prevent verification by Let’s Encrypt.

Fix:

1. First, go to Websites > List Websites, then select Manage for your site.
2. Check and adjust file and directory permissions:
   • Directories: `chmod 755 /path/to/directory`
   • Files: `chmod 644 /path/to/file`

4. ModSecurity Blocking

ModSecurity may be blocking legitimate requests from Let’s Encrypt.

Fix:

1. Temporarily disable ModSecurity by navigating to Security > ModSecurity and toggling it off.
2. Retry issuing the SSL certificate in CyberPanel.
3. If successful, turn ModSecurity back on for security.

5. Self-Signed Certificate Generation

When Let’s Encrypt fails, CyberPanel might generate a self-signed certificate instead.

Fix:

1. Check logs :

   cat /var/log/letsencrypt/letsencrypt.log
2. Then, fix any DNS or other issues identified in the logs.
3. Attempt to issue the SSL certificate again in CyberPanel.

6. OpenSSL Misconfiguration

An outdated or misconfigured OpenSSL version might cause issues.

Fix:

1. Check your OpenSSL version:

   openssl version
2. Update OpenSSL:

   sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade openssl
3. Restart the web server:

   sudo systemctl restart apache2 # For Apache
sudo systemctl restart nginx # For Nginx


7. Firewall or Security Software Interference

Firewalls or security settings can block access to Let’s Encrypt servers.

Fix:

1. Allow ports 80 and 443:

   sudo ufw allow out 80/tcp
sudo ufw allow out 443/tcp

2. Test connectivity to Let’s Encrypt:

   curl -I https://acme-v02.api.letsencrypt.org/directory

Prevention Strategies

• Ensure DNS records consistently point to the correct server IP.
• Keep CyberPanel, OpenSSL, and related components updated.
• Avoid unnecessary SSL certificate issuance attempts to remain within Let’s Encrypt rate limits.
• Maintain backups of critical configuration files, allowing for quick restoration.
• Use testing tools such as SSL Labs’ SSL Test (https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/) to ensure optimal SSL settings.
• Keep a detailed log of all changes made to server configurations to facilitate faster troubleshooting.

[Need assistance with a different issue? Our team is available 24/7.]

Conclusion

Resolving the “Let’s Encrypt not working” error in CyberPanel requires identifying the root cause, whether it’s DNS issues, software updates, or other factors. Following these troubleshooting steps and prevention best practices will ensure SSL certificates are issued smoothly, thereby keeping your site secure and trusted.

In summary, our Support Experts have shown you how to fix the ”Let’s Encrypt Not Working” CyberPanel error.