SSL expiration refers to the end date of an SSL certificate’s validity. The majority of certificates come with an expiry date, for instance, 90 days or one year. After it reaches the deadline, you must renew the certificate so that the secure connection remains active.

If your website's SSL certificate has expired, users will receive browser warnings such as "Your connection is not private" that may chase away potential customers and damage your reputation.

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is what encrypts information between your site and visitors' browsers. Without a valid SSL certificate, sensitive information – such as contact forms or payment info – can’t be securely transmitted.

How SSL expiration affects your website

Letting an SSL certificate expire can lead to a few immediate issues.

• Loss of HTTPS – Your site will revert to HTTP, which isn’t secure.
• Browser security warnings – Most browsers will block access or show alerts, making users less likely to proceed.
• SEO impact – Search engines may penalize expired SSL certificates, lowering your site’s rankings.
• Customer trust – Even if your content is fine, expired SSL signals that your site isn’t actively maintained.

Why SSL certificates expire

SSL certificates expire to ensure that the information they contain – like ownership and domain details – stays up to date. Expiration encourages regular renewal, allowing certificate authorities (CAs) to re-verify your website’s legitimacy.

Shorter certificate lifespans also help strengthen web security by minimizing long-term exposure in case of a compromise.

How to prevent SSL expiration

Keeping your website secure means staying on top of SSL renewal. Here are a few best practices:

• Use automated renewal – Many web hosting platforms and SSL providers offer automatic SSL certificate renewals.
• Set calendar reminders – If your renewal isn’t automatic, schedule a recurring reminder a week or two before expiration.
• Choose a platform that handles SSL for you – Builders automatically install and renew SSL certificates on your behalf.

How to check your SSL expiration date

Wondering when your certificate expires? Here’s how to check:

• In your browser – Click the padlock icon next to your URL, view the certificate, and look for the expiration date.
• Use an online tool – Free tools like SSL Labs or Why No Padlock let you enter your domain and get expiry info.
• In your website dashboard – Hosting providers and site builders usually show SSL status under site settings or security.

FAQs about SSL expiration

Why do SSL certificates expire?

SSL certificates expire to ensure the information they contain is up-to-date and to minimize potential security risks by requiring periodic re-validation.

What happens if my SSL certificate expires?

Visitors will likely see a "not secure" warning in their browsers, which can deter them from accessing your site, especially if you handle any user data.

Can I renew an SSL certificate after it expires?

Yes, you can renew an expired SSL certificate. However, it's best to renew it before it expires to avoid any security warnings and potential loss of visitor trust or site downtime.

How long do SSL certificates last?

Currently, most SSL certificates are issued for a maximum of one year. Free certificates like Let's Encrypt often have shorter lifespans, such as 90 days, requiring more frequent renewals.

Keep your website secure with B12

B12 automatically includes TLS certificates for every site. That means your site stays secure without you needing to lift a finger. Start building your trusted website with B12 today!