Append ‘:443’ to the url
This is how to check if your live server is responding on port 443 without having to install a SSL/TLS certificate.
http://example.com:443
This confirms the following
- your server is listening on port 443
- responding on port 443
- responses are getting through the firewall on 443
If it doesn’t work
http
For this type of debugging, make sure you have typed ‘http’ in the URL without an ’s' at the end - i.e. don’t type ‘https’ because that little ’s' at the end requires a secure connection - which this is not.
No response or timeout
If you’re not receiving a response or getting a long pause followed by a timeout error, make sure that your server (apache/nginx/caddy etc) is configured to listen on port 443. For example you may need to edit your apache conf file like below.
Listen 443
Use this tip for debugging only
Don’t actually try to deliver content in production this way - if you need helping understanding the reason for this, do this search .
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SSL/TLS certificates are free
If you can’t afford an SSL/TLS certificate, get a free one for your site at https://letsencrypt.org/. -
Don’t be scared - certificates can be automated for you
Let’s Encrypt can take the hassle out of renewing certificates without costing you a cent.