I had the most frustrating, brainfartiest moment.
I’d temporarily forgotten how to point addresses to another server and was staring at my domain wondering why it wasn’t working. It turns out not only was I not pointing to the hosting server, my SSL certification was about to expire, AND one of my domains entered a grace period which I had to immediately renew.
Honestly, it was like trying to fix the engine while the car was still moving.
I thought I’d take that moment of frustration and turn it into this article—to remind myself of the necessary steps to get back online and potentially help you along the way if you’re caught in the same position I was. Let’s understand how to troubleshoot your domain and hosting.
Troubleshoot Your Domain and Hosting: Why This Guide Exists
We all have moments when technical knowledge we should have at our fingertips suddenly becomes inaccessible. Sometimes it’s stress, sometimes it’s being overwhelmed with other projects, and sometimes it’s just one of those days when nothing seems to work right.
This guide is for those that have domain and hosting on separate platforms. For example: Namecheap (domain) and Rocket.net (hosting). It’ll also include brief write-up on SSL certificates, which I’ll be writing a more robust article coming soon.
My reasons for creating this guide:
- Personal experience with technical amnesia: Despite years in web design, I found myself staring at domain errors with no idea where to start
- Fragmented documentation: Hours spent searching across multiple websites with no single, clear resource for my specific scenario
- Gap in existing resources: Most technical documentation:
- Assumes knowledge that isn’t accessible during a crisis
- Explains individual features but not how they interconnect
- Rarely addresses issues across different service providers
- Need for comprehensive troubleshooting: When facing problems like expiring domains, incorrect nameservers, SSL errors, isolated solutions aren’t enough
This resource provides a straightforward, step-by-step process for resolving common domain and hosting issues, particularly when using different providers for each service. I’ll continue updating this guide as I work through various domain and hosting scenarios, adding specific examples and screenshots to make troubleshooting even easier.
Note: These principles apply to many provider combinations. Be sure to check their guides if you are looking for something specific.
Essential Steps to Fix Domain & Hosting Issues
1. Domain Registration Check
First, log into your domain registrar and verify your domains aren’t expired or in grace period. This might seem obvious, but it’s easy to overlook, especially when managing multiple domains.
If your domain is in grace period, renew it immediately. This should be your priority before proceeding with any other troubleshooting steps.
2. Pointing Your Domain to the Hosting Server
Here’s the exact process for connecting your domain to your hosting server:
- Log into your domain account
- Find the domain in question and click “Manage”
- Look for the “Nameservers” section
- Select “Custom DNS” in the dropdown
- Enter your hosting provider’s nameservers
Make sure to copy the nameserver addresses exactly as they appear in your hosting account. Even a small typo can prevent proper connection.
3. Resolving SSL Certificate Issues
If you’re seeing privacy errors, it’s typically due to one of these issues:
- Your SSL certificate is not properly installed
- Your certificate has expired
- Your domain doesn’t have an SSL certificate installed
I recommend my clients Namecheap domains and ChemiCloud hosting (not affiliates), here are your options:
Option A: Using cPanel’s SSL Manager
If you have a single domain PositiveSSL or EssentialSSL certificate and you’re on cPanel hosting, use your cPanel SSL panel. In this case for Namecheap:
- Log into cPanel
- Find the “Namecheap SSL” icon in the “Exclusive for Namecheap Customers” section
- Click “Install” next to your certificate
- Wait approximately 25 minutes for installation to complete
Option B: Through Hosting Provider Support
Many other hosts offer free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates. Contact your hosting provider’s support team and request SSL certificate installation for your domain.
Option C: Manual Certificate Installation
For advanced users, you can generate a CSR, activate the certificate, verify domain ownership, and install it yourself. This requires technical knowledge and careful attention to detail.
Understanding DNS Propagation
After making changes to DNS settings, you must wait for propagation to complete. This process can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours depending on various factors including your domain registrar, hosting provider, and local ISP caching.
During this waiting period:
- Avoid making additional changes to DNS settings unless absolutely necessary
- Use DNS propagation checking tools to monitor progress
- Clear your browser cache and/or try different devices and networks to test availability
Remember that DNS propagation happens gradually across the internet, so your site may appear online for some visitors before others.
Setting Up an SSL Certificate in cPanel
Most hosting control panels provide a straightforward interface for installing SSL certificates. Here’s how it typically looks in cPanel:
- Log into your cPanel account
- Find the “SSL/TLS” section
- Select “Install and Manage SSL for your site (HTTPS)”
- Choose your domain from the dropdown menu
- For manual installation, you’ll need to paste your certificate files into the appropriate fields:
- Certificate (CRT)
- Private Key (KEY)
- Certificate Authority Bundle (CABUNDLE)
- Click “Install Certificate”
After installation, your site should be accessible via HTTPS. You can verify proper installation using online SSL checker tools.
Prevention Strategies
Implement these preventive measures to avoid future domain and hosting issues:
- Enable auto-renewal for domains and SSL certificates
- Create calendar reminders 30 days before expiration dates
- Maintain a document with hosting details, nameserver information, and SSL setup process
- Perform regular website maintenance checks
- Keep contact information updated with your registrar and hosting provider