SSL certificates are a crucial part of securing online transactions and communications. Monitoring the validity of these certificates and error states is an important functionality provided by UptimeRobot. These options are enabled by default when you create a monitor and enter a URL with HTTPS. However, if you enter a URL with HTTP only, the SSL monitoring feature is disabled and cannot be enabled.
Expiration Notifications:
UptimeRobot sends you notifications about the impending expiration of SSL certificates. This ensures that you can renew your SSL certificate in time to prevent any security lapses. The SSL expiration check is performed once every 24 hours. The timeline for notifications varies based on the type of certificate:
For certificates issued by Let’s Encrypt and Cloudflare, notifications are triggered 14, 7, and 1 day(s) before the expiration of the certificate.
For cPanel certificates, a notification is sent 7 days before expiration.
For all other cases, notifications are sent 30 days before the expiration of the certificate.
SSL Error Detection:
In addition to monitoring certificate expiration, UptimeRobot also monitors for SSL errors on a website. An SSL error is an issue that arises when a browser isn't able to establish a secure connection with a website due to issues with the website’s SSL certificate. This could be because the certificate is expired, invalid, or improperly configured. When an SSL error is detected, the monitor switches to DOWN status and sends a notification.
To troubleshoot and fix SSL errors, you can refer to our blog post: SSL Certificate Errors
With such preventive measures in place, you can ensure an uninterrupted, secure service for your users.