How to Fix HTTP on a WordPress Website in 2025 for Beginners
If you’re seeing HTTP instead of HTTPS on your WordPress website, it’s more than just a cosmetic issue. Having an HTTP site can affect your website’s security, SEO, and overall trustworthiness. This guide will help you understand why it’s important to switch to HTTPS, how to fix it, and common problems you might encounter along the way.
Why Fixing HTTP is Important

- Security: HTTP is not secure. When your site uses HTTP, any data transmitted between your users and the server is not encrypted, leaving it vulnerable to interception. HTTPS ensures that this data is encrypted, protecting sensitive information such as login details or payment information.
- SEO: Google now prioritizes HTTPS websites in search rankings. If your site is still using HTTP, it can negatively impact your SEO and make it harder for people to find you in search results.
- Trust and Credibility: When users visit an HTTP site, many browsers show warnings like “Not Secure” in the address bar. This can make users think twice about trusting your site, especially if you’re running an e-commerce platform or collecting personal data.
- Compliance: Many regulations, such as GDPR, require websites to use HTTPS to secure user data. Failing to implement HTTPS could result in legal issues or penalties.
How to Fix HTTP on Your WordPress Website
Switching from HTTP to HTTPS on your WordPress site may sound technical, but with the right steps, it’s quite straightforward.
Step 1: Get an SSL Certificate
To switch from HTTP to HTTPS, you’ll first need an SSL certificate. This certificate encrypts data between your server and your visitors. Many hosting providers offer free SSL certificates through Let’s Encrypt or similar services.
- Check if your hosting provider offers a free SSL certificate and enable it from your hosting dashboard.
- If your host doesn’t offer SSL, you can purchase one through providers like Namecheap or GoDaddy.
Step 2: Install and Activate the SSL Certificate
Once you’ve obtained an SSL certificate, follow these steps to install it on your WordPress site:
- Go to your hosting control panel (often cPanel or Plesk).
- Find the SSL/TLS section and upload your SSL certificate.
- Activate the certificate for your domain.
If you have a managed hosting provider, you may be able to skip this step.
Step 3: Update WordPress URLs to HTTPS
Now that your SSL certificate is installed, you need to update your site’s URLs from HTTP to HTTPS. Here’s how:
- In your WordPress dashboard, go to Settings > General.
- Update both the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) fields to use HTTPS instead of HTTP.
- Save the changes.


If your SSL certificate isn’t properly installed, you may encounter an error on WordPress when you attempt to change the site URL to HTTPS. This can cause your site to become temporarily inaccessible or result in a redirect loop. To avoid this, always ensure the SSL is fully activated on your hosting server before updating your WordPress URLs to HTTPS. To avoid this, always make sure the SSL certificate is correctly set up before updating your site’s URL. If an error occurs, you can switch the URL back to HTTP via your hosting control panel or by accessing your WordPress database directly through phpMyAdmin.
Why HTTP is Bad for Your Site
- Security Risks: Without encryption, sensitive information like login credentials or credit card numbers can be intercepted by attackers.
- SEO Disadvantage: Sites using HTTP are ranked lower by search engines, meaning you could miss out on valuable traffic.
- Browser Warnings: Visitors might see “Not Secure” warnings in their browser, which can discourage them from engaging with your site.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
1. Mixed Content Warnings
Sometimes, after switching to HTTPS, you’ll see mixed content warnings. This happens when some parts of your site (like images or scripts) are still being loaded over HTTP. You can fix this by:
- Installing the Really Simple SSL plugin, which can automatically fix mixed content issues.
- Manually updating links and resources in your WordPress database by using a plugin like Better Search Replace.


2. SSL Certificate Not Working
If your SSL certificate doesn’t seem to be working, try these troubleshooting steps:
- Ensure that the SSL certificate is correctly installed via your hosting provider.
- Clear your website cache (especially if you’re using a caching plugin like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache).
- Check for any server configuration issues by contacting your host.
3. Redirect Loops
If you encounter redirect loops (where your browser keeps trying to load the page but can’t), this might be due to incorrect redirects in your .htaccess
file. Double-check that your redirects are set correctly, or use a plugin like Really Simple SSL to manage them.
Final Thoughts
Switching from HTTP to HTTPS is essential for the security, SEO, and credibility of your WordPress site. While the process might seem daunting for beginners, following these steps will ensure that your site is secure and optimized for the web in 2025.
If you need help managing your WordPress site or making the switch to HTTPS, DWS Studio is here to help. Contact us today to get started!