Reading AutoSSL logs for a domain-validation failure

AutoSSL logs show which names passed or failed domain-control validation during a certificate check. Read the exact failing hostname and method before changing the whole domain’s DNS or repeatedly requesting certificates.

Information to have ready

Collect the account username, affected hostname and expiry date. Check whether the hostname is intended to point to this server and whether a CDN or external DNS provider is involved.

01 Read AutoSSL logs for a domain-validation failure

  1. Open Manage AutoSSL > Logs and select the relevant recent run. Filter or locate the affected account.
  2. Read the specific validation failure and distinguish an apex name from www, mail or another subdomain on the same certificate request.
  3. Compare authoritative A/AAAA and CAA records with the intended service. Remove obsolete records only after confirming they are no longer needed.
  4. For HTTP validation, inspect redirects, authentication, proxy and firewall behaviour on the required validation path. For DNS validation, confirm the provider can make or verify the required records.
  5. Correct the identified issue, run an appropriate targeted check and read the new result. Confirm the installed certificate’s actual names and expiry.

Confirm the expected result

The required hostname should pass validation and appear on the resulting certificate. A certificate that succeeds with reduced name coverage can still leave another customer hostname unprotected.

Troubleshoot unexpected results

If issuance is pending or rate limited, follow the provider’s retry guidance instead of repeatedly forcing requests. An unrelated failing service subdomain may need a deliberate exclusion, but exclude only names that truly do not require this server’s certificate.

Does an HTTPS redirect prove the certificate is valid?

No. A redirect only changes the URL. Verify the TLS handshake, hostname coverage and certificate chain independently before enforcing HTTPS.

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