Apache problem upon installing SSL Certificate

HC Linux Control Panel
Question: Apache crashes upon installing SSL from the HC panel. What could be the reason for it? 
Answer: If all steps for SSL installation are performed using the HC panel, then Apache never crashes, and the SSL certificate is installed properly. Apache crashes only in such cases if manual tasks are performed for installing an SSL certificate on a website in the Apache Web Server. So, it is very strongly recommended to carry out the process using the HC10 panel instead of doing manual tasks, which could result in Apache crashing.
 
Reason for Apache to crash upon installing SSL:  HC has its own mechanism for installing SSL certificates on Linux Websites. For this, as you generate a Certificate Request (CSR) using the HC panel from Provisioning >> Website Dashboard  >> Dedicated SSL, then HC performs the following tasks:
  1. Creates a directory with website name like domain.com under /etc/ssl/hc/domain.com
  2. Also, HC places both domain.com.csr and domain.com.key files at the same location /etc/ssl/hc/domain.com
Now, upon initiating an SSL Certificate install request from the HC panel, as these files and folders are missing from Apache, the service crashes and does not start.
 
How to prevent this from happening?
  1. Solution # 1 (Automate the process of SSL install using HC control panel): Perform all tasks for certificate request generation and its installation using the HC panel. This way, all processes will be automated, and Apache will never crash upon installing an SSL certificate on your website.
  2. Solution # 2 (Case where manual CSR was generated): For this case, where CSR was generated manually and SSL certificate received from the CA, using it, then in this case, Apache crash can be avoided by following the steps given below:
  • Place the CSR and KEY files under your domain's name directory at this path ( /etc/ssl/hc/domain.com/ ). If the directory with your domain name does not exist, then create one manually.
  • Also, place your SSL Certificate file under SSL directory at this path ( /web_root_directory/domain.com/special/ssl/ ). Once you have placed the files correctly on the specified paths, then install the SSL on your domain by following this documentation ( https://help.hostingcontroller.com/hc10/default.aspx#pageid=installing_dedicated_ssl ).
    Note: Make sure the names of CSR, KEY and SSL Certificate files should be in proper format (Like domain.com.csr, domain.com.key, domain.com.crt).
We strongly recommend following the automated way (Solution # 1) of installing SSL certificates on Linux websites. For any further assistance, send an email to support@hostingcontroller.com
Article ID: 3345, , Modified: 8/19/2025 at 4:06 AM

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