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Check for Mixed Content: The first step is to identify if your website is serving any content over HTTP. You can do this by opening your site in a web browser and inspecting the source code or using browser developer tools to look for any resources (images, scripts, stylesheets, etc.) that are being loaded from an unsecured HTTP source.
If you find any mixed content, you'll need to update those resources to use the HTTPS protocol. This can be done manually by updating the URLs in your content, or you can use a plugin like "SSL Insecure Content Fixer" to automatically fix mixed content issues.
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Verify Your SSL Certificate: Ensure that your SSL certificate is valid and not expired. You can check the status of your SSL certificate by using an online SSL checker tool, such as the one provided by SSL Labs.
If your SSL certificate is expired or invalid, you'll need to renew or replace it. Depending on your hosting provider, you may be able to obtain a new SSL certificate directly from them or through a third-party SSL provider.
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Clear Browser and Server Caches: Caching can sometimes cause issues with the SSL seal, so it's a good idea to clear the cache on both your browser and your server (if you have access to it).
For your browser, you can usually find the cache clearing option in the browser settings. For server-level caching, the process may vary depending on your hosting provider or the caching plugin you're using. Consult your hosting documentation or the plugin's documentation for specific instructions.
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Deactivate and Reactivate Plugins: If you suspect that a plugin is interfering with the SSL seal, try deactivating any security or optimization plugins and see if that resolves the issue. Once the SSL seal is working correctly, you can try reactivating the plugins one by one to identify the culprit.
If you find a specific plugin that is causing the problem, you can either update the plugin, replace it with an alternative, or contact the plugin developer for assistance.
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Use Jetpack to Host Images: If you've tried the above steps and are still experiencing a broken SSL seal, you can consider using the Jetpack plugin to host your images on the WordPress.com servers. This can be a quick and effective solution, as Jetpack's Content Delivery Network (CDN) service ensures that your images are served securely over HTTPS.
To use Jetpack to host your images, follow these steps:
a. Install and activate the Jetpack plugin on your WordPress site.
b. Navigate to the Jetpack plugin settings and enable the "Photon" module, which is Jetpack's image CDN service.
c. Update any existing image URLs in your content to use the Jetpack Photon URL format (e.g., ?resize=1024,768&ssl=1
).
d. Alternatively, you can use the Jetpack CDN automatically by enabling the "WordPress.com Content Delivery Network" option in the Jetpack settings.
By using Jetpack to host your images, you can often resolve issues with a broken SSL seal, as the Photon service ensures that all your images are delivered securely over HTTPS.
Remember, the specific steps to fix a broken SSL seal may vary depending on the unique setup and configuration of your WordPress site. It's always a good idea to test any changes in a staging or development environment before implementing them on your live site.
By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue with your WordPress site's broken SSL seal. If you're still experiencing difficulties, don't hesitate to seek assistance from your hosting provider, the Jetpack support team, or a WordPress developer who can help you further.