• Mittwoch, Januar 21, 2026

Securing your website with an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is crucial for protecting data in transit, ensuring user trust, and improving SEO rankings. This comprehensive guide outlines the process of installing new SSL certificates or enabling free Let’s Encrypt certificates for your domains within Plesk, utilizing both the Power-user and Service-provider interfaces. By following these steps, you can ensure that your website operates securely with HTTPS.

Installing an SSL Certificate using the Power-user Interface

For users operating within the Power-user interface of Plesk, securing your domains with an SSL certificate involves a straightforward process. Follow these detailed steps to successfully install a new SSL certificate:

  1. Navigate to the Websites & Domains menu, located in the left-hand column of your Plesk panel.
  2. Locate the specific domain name requiring the update on this page, then select SSL/TLS Certificates to proceed.
  3. Initiate the process by clicking the Add SSL/TLS Certificate button.
  4. Provide a recognizable name for your certificate. This name helps in identifying the certificate easily in the future.
  5. You will be presented with options to either upload your certificate files directly or input them as text. Choose the method that suits your preference.

  6. Adding the Certificate as Text:

    If you choose to add the certificate as text, follow these sub-steps:

    • Open the private key file (typically with a .key extension) for your certificate using a plain text editor. Copy the entire content and paste it into the designated Private key (*.key) field.
    • Similarly, open your main certificate file (e.g., domain-name.com.crt) in a text editor. Copy its content and paste it into the Certificate (*.crt) field.
    • Finally, open the CA (Certificate Authority) certificate file (commonly ca.crt) in a text editor. Copy its content and paste it into the CA certificate (*-ca.crt) field. This file is crucial for browsers to trust your certificate.
  7. Once all necessary certificate information has been provided, click the Upload Certificate button to install it onto your server.

Enabling the Installed SSL Certificate for Your Website

After successfully installing the SSL certificate, the next crucial step is to activate it for your domain. Use the following steps to ensure your website is secured with HTTPS:

  1. Return to the Websites & Domains menu in the left column of your Plesk panel.
  2. For the site where you intend to enable the SSL certificate, click on Hosting Settings.
  3. Within the Security section, locate the drop-down menu labeled "Certificate." From this list, select the appropriate certificate name that you just installed for your domain.
  4. Confirm your selection by clicking OK to activate the SSL certificate for your website. Your site will now operate securely over HTTPS.

Enabling a Let's Encrypt SSL Certificate

Let's Encrypt provides free, automated, and open certificates. Enabling a Let's Encrypt SSL certificate through the Plesk Power-user interface is a simple process:

  1. Access the Websites & Domains menu from the left-hand column of the Plesk panel.
  2. Locate the specific domain and click on the Let’s Encrypt link situated directly below it.
  3. Provide a valid email address. This address will be used for important notifications or warnings regarding your certificate's status and expiry.
  4. Tick the boxes if you wish to include the www and webmail subdomains, ensuring they are also covered by the Let's Encrypt certificate.
  5. Finalize the process by clicking Install to provision and add the Let’s Encrypt certificate to your domain.

Important Note: For the Let's Encrypt certificate setup to successfully complete, it is essential that the domain correctly resolves to your server's IP address.

Installing an SSL Certificate using the Service-provider Interface

For system administrators and service providers managing multiple domains, the Plesk Service-provider interface offers a streamlined way to install SSL certificates. Follow these steps to secure your client's domains effectively:

  1. From the left column of the Plesk panel, open the Domains menu.
  2. Select the specific domain name from the displayed list that you wish to configure.
  3. On the domain's control panel page, click on the SSL/TLS link.
  4. Initiate the certificate installation by clicking the Add SSL/TLS Certificate button.
  5. Assign a descriptive name to the certificate for easy identification.
  6. Choose between uploading your certificate files directly or adding them by pasting the text content.

  7. Adding the Certificate as Text:

    If you opt to add the certificate content manually, proceed with these instructions:

    • Using a text editor, open your private key file (.key). Copy its entire content and paste it into the Private key (*.key) field.
    • Next, open your certificate file (e.g., domain-name.com.crt) in a text editor. Copy the content and paste it into the Certificate (*.crt) field.
    • Finally, open the CA certificate file (ca.crt) in a text editor. Copy its content and paste it into the CA certificate (*-ca.crt) field to ensure proper certificate chaining.
  8. Complete the installation by clicking Upload Certificate to save the certificate to your server.

Activating the Installed SSL Certificate

Once the SSL certificate is installed, it must be enabled for the specific domain to ensure all traffic is secured:

  1. Access the Domains menu from the left-hand navigation in Plesk.
  2. Select the domain name from the list for which you wish to activate the SSL certificate.
  3. Click on Hosting Settings for the selected domain.
  4. Within the Security section, locate the "Certificate" drop-down menu. From this list, select the newly installed and correct certificate name.
  5. Click OK to finalize the activation, enabling the SSL certificate for your website.

Enabling a Let's Encrypt SSL Certificate for Your Domain

The process for enabling a Let's Encrypt certificate through the Service-provider interface is also straightforward:

  1. Navigate to the Domains menu from the left column of your Plesk panel.
  2. Click on the specific domain name from the list that requires a Let's Encrypt certificate.
  3. On the domain's control panel page, click the Let’s Encrypt link.
  4. Input an email address where you wish to receive important notifications, such as certificate expiry warnings.
  5. Optionally, select the tick-boxes to ensure that the www and webmail subdomains are also included and secured by the Let's Encrypt certificate.
  6. Click Install to proceed with adding the Let’s Encrypt certificate to your domain.

Reminder: Successful issuance of a Let's Encrypt certificate requires that your domain correctly points to your server's IP address.

Conclusion

By following these comprehensive instructions, you can effectively install and enable SSL certificates, including free Let's Encrypt options, for your domains within Plesk. Implementing SSL is a vital step in enhancing website security, building user trust, and complying with modern web standards, ultimately contributing to a more secure and reputable online presence.

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