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How to Install an SSL Certificate

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Table of Contents

DNSimple provides an installation wizard that guides you through installing your SSL certificate on the most common web servers and platforms: NGINX, Apache, IIS, Heroku, and Azure, plus an option with the files in generic formats. The wizard is available once the certificate is issued.

Using the SSL Certificate Installation Wizard

Steps to access the installation wizard
  1. Log into DNSimple with your user credentials.
  2. If you have more than one account, select the relevant one.
  3. On the header menu, click the tab, locate the relevant domain, and click on the name to access the domain page.

  4. Select the SSL Certificates tab and click on the relevant certificate.

    SSL certificate page link

  5. In the card on the certificate page, click .

    The Certificate card on a certificate page, with an arrow pointing at the Install link

  6. Click your server or platform in the list to expand it, and follow the instructions.

Platform-Specific Installation Guides

For detailed instructions for specific platforms, see:

Generic Installation Instructions

If you are not using one of the platforms listed above, you can obtain your certificate in several generic formats from the Other section of the installation wizard.

The Install Certificate page listing NGINX, Apache, IIS, Heroku, Azure, and Other, with an arrow pointing at Other

Downloading the SSL Certificate

The section has these files to download:

  • The certificate, as a .crt file
  • The private key, as a .key file
  • The certificate and its intermediate certificates together, as a .pem file
  • The intermediate certificate chain on its own, as a _bundle.pem file

For what each format is for, see Understanding SSL Certificate Files and Formats.

Downloading the Private Key

The private key of your certificate is available to download from this section and from the main certificate page. If you provided your own CSR or deleted the private key from our servers, you will no longer be able to download it, and some features of the installation wizard will not work. DNSimple also deletes a certificate’s private key automatically 15 days after the certificate expires.

Have more questions?

If you have additional questions or need any assistance installing your SSL certificate, just contact support, and we’ll be happy to help.