Redirecting WordPress Page to HTTPS – Not Redirecting? Here's the Fix
As a WordPress site owner, ensuring your website is secure and accessible over HTTPS is crucial. Not only does HTTPS provide better privacy and security for your users, but it's also a ranking factor for search engines like Google.
One common issue WordPress site owners face is when they try to redirect their entire site from HTTP to HTTPS, but the redirect isn't working as expected. This can be a frustrating problem, but don't worry – we're here to help you fix it.
The reason why the HTTPS redirect isn't working often comes down to a simple mistake in your .htaccess
file. Let's dive in and explore the correct way to configure your .htaccess
file to force HTTPS for your WordPress site.
Understand the .htaccess File
The .htaccess
file is a hidden configuration file used by Apache web servers to control various aspects of your website's behavior. This file is typically located in the root directory of your WordPress installation.
When it comes to redirecting your WordPress site from HTTP to HTTPS, the .htaccess
file plays a crucial role. It's where you'll need to add the necessary rewrite rules to force the redirect.
The Incorrect Approach
Many WordPress users try to implement the HTTPS redirect by modifying the WordPress-specific section of the .htaccess
file. This is a common mistake, as the WordPress-specific rules in the .htaccess
file are often updated during WordPress core updates or when you make changes to your permalink structure.
Here's an example of the incorrect approach:
# BEGIN WordPress
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
</IfModule>
# END WordPress
# Rewrite HTTP to HTTPS
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} !=on
RewriteRule ^(.*) https://%{SERVER_NAME}/$1 [R,L]
The issue with this approach is that the WordPress-specific rules are located within the # BEGIN WordPress
and # END WordPress
comments. Whenever you update your WordPress installation or modify your permalink structure, these rules can be overwritten, causing the HTTPS redirect to stop working.
The Correct Approach
The correct way to implement the HTTPS redirect in your WordPress site is to place the rewrite rules outside of the WordPress-specific section in the .htaccess
file. This ensures that the redirect rules are not affected by WordPress updates or permalink changes.
Here's the correct .htaccess
configuration:
# Rewrite HTTP to HTTPS
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} !=on
RewriteRule ^(.*) https://%{SERVER_NAME}/$1 [R,L]
# BEGIN WordPress
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
</IfModule>
# END WordPress
In this configuration, the HTTPS redirect rules are placed at the top of the .htaccess
file, outside of the WordPress-specific section. This ensures that the redirect is applied before the WordPress-specific rules, effectively forcing all HTTP traffic to be redirected to HTTPS.
Let's break down the HTTPS redirect rules:
RewriteEngine On
: Enables the Apache mod_rewrite module, which allows us to use rewrite rules.
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} !=on
: Checks if the current request is not using the HTTPS protocol.
RewriteRule ^(.*) https://%{SERVER_NAME}/$1 [R,L]
: If the condition is met, this rule rewrites the entire request (captured in $1
) to the HTTPS version of the URL and returns a 301 (permanent) redirect.
By placing these rules at the top of the .htaccess
file, you ensure that the HTTPS redirect is always applied, regardless of any changes made to the WordPress-specific section.
Verifying the HTTPS Redirect
After making the changes to your .htaccess
file, it's important to test the HTTPS redirect to ensure it's working correctly. You can do this by opening your website in a web browser and trying to access it using both the HTTP and HTTPS protocols.
If the redirect is working correctly, you should be automatically redirected from the HTTP version of your site to the HTTPS version. You can also use online tools like Redirect Checker to verify the redirect.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you're still experiencing issues with the HTTPS redirect, here are a few troubleshooting tips:
-
Check your server configuration: Ensure that your web server is properly configured to handle HTTPS traffic. This may involve setting up SSL/TLS certificates, enabling the necessary Apache modules, and configuring your server's virtual host settings.
-
Clear your browser cache: Sometimes, your browser may cache the old HTTP version of your website, preventing the HTTPS redirect from working correctly. Try clearing your browser cache and cookies, then test the redirect again.
-
Verify your .htaccess file: Double-check your .htaccess
file to ensure that the HTTPS redirect rules are correctly placed, and that there are no syntax errors or other conflicting rules.
-
Check your WordPress settings: Ensure that your WordPress site is configured to use the HTTPS protocol. You can do this by navigating to the "Settings" > "General" section in your WordPress dashboard and verifying the "WordPress Address (URL)" and "Site Address (URL)" fields.
-
Seek professional assistance: If you're still having trouble, consider seeking assistance from a WordPress expert or your web hosting provider. They can help you troubleshoot the issue and ensure your WordPress site is properly configured for HTTPS.
Get a Free AI Website Audit
Automatically identify UX and content issues affecting your conversion rates with Flowpoint's comprehensive AI-driven website audit.
Conclusion
Redirecting your WordPress site from HTTP to HTTPS is a crucial step in ensuring the security and accessibility of your website. By properly configuring your .htaccess
file with the correct HTTPS redirect rules, you can ensure that all traffic to your site is securely redirected to the HTTPS version.
Remember, the key to a successful HTTPS redirect in WordPress is to place the rewrite rules outside of the WordPress-specific section in the .htaccess
file. This will prevent the redirect from breaking during WordPress updates or permalink changes.
If you're still having trouble with the HTTPS redirect, don't hesitate to seek professional assistance. With the right configuration, you can ensure your WordPress site is secure and optimized for the best user experience.
Flowpoint.ai can help you identify all the technical errors that are impacting conversion rates on your website and directly generate recommendations to fix them, including ensuring your site is properly redirecting to HTTPS.