---
title: "Enable Auto Renew for SSL Certificates"
source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/security/ssl/auto-renew/"
description: "Learn how to enable Auto renew for your SSL certificates. Discover how to automate renewals to protect your website security and prevent downtime."
vertical: "Hosting"
date: "2024-03-04"
last_modified: "2026-10-05"
---

# Enable Auto Renew for SSL Certificates

## Introduction

Maintaining website security requires renewing your SSL certificates regularly to encrypt communications between your server and your customers. However, manually tracking expiration dates often leads to missed renewals and sudden website security warnings. Auto renew streamlines this process. By enabling this feature, your SSL certificates automatically renew before they expire, ensuring uninterrupted security and saving you administrative time.

---

## Prerequisites

Before enabling Auto Renew, ensure you have the following:

- **Portal Access:** You must be able to log in to your hosting management portal.
- **Billing Information:** Your account must have a valid, up-to-date payment method on file to process the automatic renewal charge.
- **Active Certificate or New Order:** You need an existing paid SSL certificate on your account or be in the process of purchasing a new one.

---

## Step-by-step Instructions

You can enable Auto renewal during your initial purchase or apply it to an existing certificate already on your account.

### Navigate to the SSL Center

1. Log into [portal.nexcess.com](https://portal.nexcess.com) with your credentials or Google SSO.
2. In the left-hand menu, expand **Domains** and select **SSL**.

### Enabling Auto Renew During a New Order

1. Click **Order a certificate**, or the **Add SSL** button next to the domain you wish to protect.
2. Ensure the **Auto renew** box located directly below the certificate duration options is checked.
3. Complete your checkout process. Your certificate will now automatically renew for the same duration as this original order.

### Enabling Auto Renew for an Existing Certificate

 Remote API required for WHM/cPanel Auto renewal

You will need a Remote API key to automate via WHM/cPanel. For more information, see [API Tokens for Remote Access in WHM](https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/whm/security/api-tokens-for-remote-access-in-whm/)

 

1. Select the domain you want to Auto renew from your list of secured domains.
2. Ensure the Auto renew toggle is set to Enabled.
3. Confirm your changes. The system is now configured to automatically process the renewal within 45 days of the certificate’s expiration date.

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## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

**When exactly does my existing SSL certificate renew?**When you enable auto renew on an active certificate, the system initiates the renewal process before its upcoming expiration date. This provides ample time for domain validation and installation before the old certificate expires.

****How long will the renewed certificate last?****The certificate always renews for the exact same duration as your original order.