Let’s Encrypt uses a DNS-based verification system, and certain records are required for the installation to succeed. If you’re using the GreenGeeks nameservers, the required records are managed for you, and no changes are needed to issue your SSL certificate.
If you manage your domain’s DNS record outside of GreenGeeks and your Let’s Encrypt installation failed, a DNS record update will be needed. There are a few different ways to make the necessary change. Any of these methods will work.
- Change the Name Servers for the Domain(s)
- Add A Records for Your Domain(s)
- Switch to a Premium Wildcard SSL Certificate
Option 1: Change the Name Servers for the Domain(s)
This is the easiest method and the one that we recommend. It will allow you to install Let’s Encrypt as well as prevent any future renewal problems.
Important: If you have custom DNS records, re-create them on GreenGeeks before updating the nameservers for the domain.
You can change the name servers for your domain name at the registrar where you purchased the domain. Go to the registrar’s control panel and look for a setting called “name servers,” “custom name servers,” etc.
Here are the GreenGeeks name servers:
- ns1.greengeeks.net
- ns2.greengeeks.net
Option 2: Add A Records to Your DNS
If you cannot change your name servers to point to GreenGeeks as recommended as suggested in Option 1, using A records are the second-best option.
The A records need to be created within the existing nameservers. If you’re using a 3rd party DNS provider such as Google, this is where the A records would need to be created.
Once the A records are configured to point to your GreenGeeks IP address, GreenGeeks will be able to issue an SSL certificate for those (sub)domain(s).
Note: Cloudflare is fully compatible, and GreenGeeks is able to issue SSL certificates for domains using Cloudflare.
Option 3: Switch to a Premium Wildcard SSL Certificate
If none of the above methods work for you, there are traditional certificate alternatives to Let’s Encrypt. They aren’t free and still require verification, but they have certain advantages over a Let’s Encrypt certificate.
You can add a premium wildcard certificate to your site in GreenGeeks.
If your question wasn’t answered in this article, please don’t hesitate to contact technical support.