Securing your website with an SSL certificate isn’t just a technical checkbox—it’s crucial for building user trust, protecting sensitive data, and maintaining your search engine rankings. If your site relies on GoDaddy for its SSL, renewing your certificate on time ensures that customers see your site as secure, and that your business remains compliant with the latest security standards.
This comprehensive guide details everything you need to know about renewing your GoDaddy SSL certificate in 2025, addressing both routine questions and advanced tips. Whether you’re managing a single domain or dozens, this guide breaks the process into clear, actionable steps and dives into key strategies for businesses, agencies, and managed service providers (MSPs).
Why Timely SSL Renewal Matters
Before exploring the renewal process, it’s important to understand why regular SSL certificate renewal is non-negotiable:
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Protects Site Visitors: Renewed SSL ensures all communications between your website and users remain encrypted—stopping eavesdropping, data leaks, and man-in-the-middle attacks.
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Preserves SEO Rankings: Major search engines now flag expired SSL certificates, causing your site’s ranking to drop.
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Builds Trust: Site browsers will display warnings for expired certificates—putting off potential customers instantly.
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Upholds Compliance: Modern privacy regulations demand active data protection, and up-to-date SSL is core for PCI DSS, GDPR, and HIPAA compliance.
Simply put: letting your SSL expire exposes your business to security, financial, and reputational risks.
Understanding SSL Renewal with GoDaddy
GoDaddy issues SSL certificates with a predetermined validity period (typically one year, sometimes multiple if bundled in a subscription). As the end of this period approaches, you are required to renew so encryption doesn’t lapse. The process is straightforward but does require attention to detail, especially if your site configuration or domain has changed since purchase.
When Should You Renew Your SSL Certificate?
The ideal renewal window is about 30 days before your SSL certificate expires. This allows:
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Time for possible updates or validation requests
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Buffer for technical problems or missed emails
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No disruption to secure traffic
GoDaddy offers reminders as expiration approaches, but proactive monitoring in your dashboard is best practice.
Step-by-Step: How to Renew Your GoDaddy SSL Certificate
Here’s the comprehensive workflow for any GoDaddy SSL certificate renewal in 2025:
1. Check Your SSL Expiry Date
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Log into your GoDaddy account.
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Navigate to the “SSL Certificates” section.
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Locate the domain—note the expiration date.
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Assess which domains or Wildcard certificates are due for renewal.
2. Decide: Auto-Renewal or Manual Renewal
Auto-renewal:
If enabled, GoDaddy automatically attempts to renew your certificate and bill your payment method 60 days before expiry.
Manual renewal:
If auto-renewal is off or your payment method needs updating, you’ll need to complete the process manually.
Recommendation:
Enable auto-renewal for critical domains, but always check your SSL status in the dashboard as expiration nears to avoid unexpected disruptions.
3. Start the Manual Renewal Process (if needed)
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Log in to your GoDaddy dashboard.
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Under “SSL Certificates,” find the certificate you wish to renew.
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Click “Renew” or “Renew Now” next to the certificate.
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Select your renewal period (typically one year, up to multi-year if desired).
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Add to cart and complete payment.
4. Revalidate Domain (If Prompted)
Depending on certificate type and status, GoDaddy may require you to reconfirm your domain ownership. This involves:
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Email validation: Click a link sent to the domain’s admin email address.
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DNS validation: Add a specific DNS record to your domain.
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File-based validation: Upload a specific file to your website’s root directory.
For businesses with Organization Validated (OV) or Extended Validation (EV) SSL, expect additional documentation steps. Respond promptly to info requests to avoid delays.
5. Generate New CSR (If Changes Were Made)
If your server setup or contact info changed since your last certificate:
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Generate a new Certificate Signing Request (CSR) from your server or control panel.
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Submit the new CSR to GoDaddy during the renewal process.
If nothing’s changed, GoDaddy may reuse your existing CSR and proceed to reissue the SSL certificate.
6. Download and Install Your Renewed Certificate
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Once renewed and validated, GoDaddy issues your new certificate files.
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Download the certificate (
.crt), intermediate bundle, and private key (if applicable).
For GoDaddy-hosted sites:
The certificate often installs automatically. Double-check your site for the green padlock.
For third-party hosting (cPanel, Plesk, custom VPS):
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Access your hosting control panel.
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Find the “SSL/TLS” or “Security” section.
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Upload and install the new certificate and intermediary chain.
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Test your site to confirm the certificate’s activation.
7. Confirm Renewal and Site Security
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Visit your website using HTTPS.
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Click the padlock in your browser address bar to inspect certificate details.
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Verify the expiration date matches your renewal.
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Use online SSL tools to check for issues (e.g., SSL Labs test).
Best Practices for Seamless SSL Renewal
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Schedule reminders a month before expiration, even if auto-renew is on.
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Update your payment method in GoDaddy to avoid failed transactions.
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Keep organization info up to date for OV/EV certificates.
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Revalidate DNS/email contacts if you’ve changed hosts or providers.
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Document all renewal steps and credentials for internal teams or future audits.
GoDaddy SSL Renewal for Agencies, MSPs, and Enterprises
Managing dozens—or hundreds—of SSL certificates increases complexity. In 2025, best practices for agencies include:
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Centralize certificate management: Use GoDaddy’s dashboard to track all client SSLs.
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Enable notifications for all portfolios: Set admin contacts to receive renewal notices for every client.
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Automate renewals wherever possible, but assign dedicated staff to review status monthly.
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Leverage GoDaddy APIs for bulk certificate renewals and installation if handling large volumes.
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Consider multi-year SSL plans: These maintain longer subscription periods, though certificates must still be reissued yearly for security.
Troubleshooting GoDaddy SSL Renewal Issues
Problem: Site shows “Not Secure” after renewal
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The new certificate wasn’t installed, or browser cache hasn’t been cleared.
Problem: Validation email isn’t received
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Double-check spam folders, confirm the listed admin contact, and check WHOIS data.
Problem: Certificate won’t install
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Possible private key mismatch. Regenerate CSR and repeat installation.
Problem: Renewed but no padlock
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Clear browser cache; test via incognito mode; check for mixed (HTTP) content or install issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: If I renew early, do I lose SSL days I already paid for?
A: No, GoDaddy adds renewed time to your existing certificate. No days are lost.
Q: Can I upgrade my SSL type during renewal?
A: Changes in validation level (e.g., DV to EV) typically require purchasing a new certificate.
Q: Must I generate a new CSR every time I renew?
A: Not always. Only if server details, host, or contact have changed.
Q: Can my SSL certificate expire even with auto-renew on?
A: Yes—if your payment method fails, or validation can’t be confirmed. Always verify payment info and monitor reminder emails.
Staying Ahead: The Future of SSL Renewal with GoDaddy
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Shorter lifespans: Many CAs, including GoDaddy, now offer SSL certificates with 13-month or even 90-day validity for security.
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Automation: More managed SSL plans automate both certificate renewal and installation—ideal for busy MSPs and large businesses.
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Wildcard & Multi-domain: Consider flexible certificates to secure all your subdomains in one go, saving time and licensing costs.
Conclusion
SSL certificate renewal is your responsibility—but it doesn’t have to be stressful. By planning proactively and understanding GoDaddy’s processes, you can guarantee a secure, seamless user experience for your customers, protect sensitive data, and keep your web presence in top search and trust rankings for another year.
Always monitor, verify, and act early. Security is a journey, not a checkbox—and your users will thank you for it.
