Fix ERR_SSL_UNRECOGNIZED_NAME_ALERT on Your Preview URL

Before your domain points to FimuroHost, you can view your site on a temporary preview address ending in stackstaging.com, for example example-com.stackstaging.com. If you open it and see "This site can't be reached" with ERR_SSL_UNRECOGNIZED_NAME_ALERT (or a similar SSL error in Firefox or Safari), the browser is trying to load the preview over HTTPS.

The preview address only works over plain http://. It has no SSL certificate, so anything that forces HTTPS will cause this error.

Fix it step by step

1. Type the address with http. Enter http://example-com.stackstaging.com in full. Many browsers now try HTTPS first, so don't leave the prefix off.
2. Turn off Force HTTPS in StackCP. Open StackCP from your client area, go to Security → SSL/TLS and disable Force HTTPS while you use the preview.
3. Remove HTTPS redirects from .htaccess. In the StackCP File Manager or over SFTP, open .htaccess in your site's root folder and remove or comment out (with #) any rules that redirect to https://.
4. WordPress: set the site URLs to http. The WordPress Address and Site Address must use http:// and the preview address. If you can't reach the dashboard, add these lines to wp-config.php for now:

   define( 'WP_HOME', 'http://example-com.stackstaging.com' );
   define( 'WP_SITEURL', 'http://example-com.stackstaging.com' );
   
                           
                       

5. WordPress: turn off SSL plugins. Plugins such as Really Simple Security (formerly Really Simple SSL) force HTTPS. Deactivate them. If you are locked out of the dashboard, rename the plugin's folder inside wp-content/plugins to disable it.
6. Test in a private/incognito window. Browsers remember redirects, so a normal window may keep sending you to HTTPS even after you've fixed everything.

When you go live

Once your domain points to FimuroHost, undo the temporary changes:

• Activate the free SSL for your real domain and switch Force HTTPS back on.
• Remove the WP_HOME/WP_SITEURL lines, or set them to https:// with your real domain.
• Turn your SSL plugin back on if you use one, and restore any .htaccess redirects you still need.

Tip: if you just want to check the site before changing DNS, you can also point your domain to the hosting IP in your computer's hosts file. That way you test on the real domain name.

Need help?

If something doesn't work as described, open a support ticket from your FimuroHost client area or message us on WhatsApp at 01818160926. Please include your domain name so we can check your account quickly.