Seeing the dreaded “Your connection is not fully secure” warning on your WordPress site can feel alarming. Visitors may immediately click away, assuming your site is unsafe or hacked, even if it’s just a minor configuration issue. In reality, this is one of the most common WordPress errors, and it typically has a straightforward fix. The warning doesn’t mean your entire website is broken, it usually means that while your SSL certificate is in place, some assets (like images, CSS files, or JavaScript scripts) are still being delivered over plain HTTP instead of HTTPS. This mismatch is known as mixed content.
Fixing it restores the browser padlock, improves visitor trust, and ensures you meet Google’s HTTPS ranking requirements. In this guide, we’ll break down the exact steps to eliminate the warning once and for all. You’ll learn how to confirm your SSL certificate, update your WordPress settings, clean up old insecure links, force HTTPS at the server level, and monitor your site to make sure the error never returns.
Quick Answer: This error usually happens because your site has SSL enabled but is still loading some images, scripts, or stylesheets over HTTP instead of HTTPS. The fastest fix is to install the Really Simple SSL plugin, which automatically rewrites links, or to update your WordPress URLs and database entries to use HTTPS.
👉 If you’re hosting on WordPress.com or Pressable, you won’t see this issue, SSL is automatic and all content loads securely.
Table of Contents:
- 1. Confirm Your SSL Certificate Is Installed
- 2. Update Your WordPress + Site Address URLs
- 3. Fix Mixed Content (Images, CSS, JS over HTTP)
- 4. Force HTTPS with .htaccess
- 5. Check Themes and Plugins for Hardcoded Links
- 6. Clear Cache + CDN Settings
- 7. Special Cases: Subdomains, Multisite, Reverse Proxies, External Assets
- 8. Post-Fix Verification, Monitoring & Prevention
- FAQ: Fixing “Not Fully Secure” in WordPress
- Final Thoughts
1. Confirm Your SSL Certificate Is Installed
The very first step is making sure your SSL certificate exists and hasn’t expired. Without a valid certificate, nothing else in this guide will matter. You can check quickly by visiting your site with https:// and looking for a padlock in the browser bar. Click on it to view certificate details, confirm that the domain matches your site name and that the expiration date is current.
If you’re on WordPress.com or Pressable, SSL is automatic. For most cPanel hosts, you’ll see options for “SSL/TLS” or “Let’s Encrypt” in your dashboard. One click usually activates SSL, though it may take a few minutes to provision.
Problems often arise when SSL is installed but not covering every subdomain. For example, your root domain might be secure, but www.yoursite.com or shop.yoursite.com isn’t included. Always ensure your SSL covers both the www and non-www versions of your site. If you use multiple subdomains, you may need a wildcard SSL.
Pro tip: SSL certificates typically renew every 90 days (for Let’s Encrypt) or annually (for paid). If your host doesn’t auto-renew, set yourself a calendar reminder to avoid sudden lapses.
👉 How to Secure a WordPress Site
2. Update Your WordPress + Site Address URLs
Once SSL is active, the next common culprit is that your WordPress or Site Address is still listed as http:// in your settings. This tells WordPress to keep generating insecure links, even though you now have SSL.
Go to Settings → General and look for the fields “WordPress Address (URL)” and “Site Address (URL).” Both must begin with https://. Save changes, and WordPress will log you out to refresh your session. Log back in at the new secure URL.
This small change alone fixes the error for many site owners. Without it, any new post, image, or menu item you add will keep referencing http://, and the problem will never go away. For multisite installs, check both the network settings and each subsite individually.
If you can’t access the dashboard, you can also update these values in the database (wp_options table) or directly in wp-config.php by defining the WP_HOME and WP_SITEURL constants with https://.
3. Fix Mixed Content (Images, CSS, JS over HTTP)
If you still see the warning, you’ve got mixed content. This means one or more assets are still hardcoded as http://. Common offenders include older image uploads, CSS/JS libraries, custom widgets, and third-party embeds.
The simplest fix for beginners is the Really Simple SSL plugin, which rewrites most insecure links to HTTPS on the fly. It’s a quick band-aid that solves 80% of cases. However, for a permanent fix, you’ll want to update the links in your database.
Plugins like Better Search Replace make this easy: search for http://yourdomain.com and replace with https://yourdomain.com. Run it on all tables. If you’re comfortable with the command line, WP-CLI’s search-replace tool is even faster and more thorough.
Check your site after the replacement. If you still see errors, inspect the page with your browser’s developer console. It will list exactly which file is insecure. Once you replace those final stragglers, the error disappears.
Advanced Fix: WP-CLI
If you have SSH access, run:
3a. Comparison Table: Fixing “Your Connection is Not Fully Secure” in WordPress
Sometimes there’s more than one way to solve the “not fully secure” warning, depending on your hosting setup and comfort level. The table below compares the most common fixes so you can decide which approach makes sense for you.
| Method | Skill Level | Time Required | Best For | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Really Simple SSL Plugin | Beginner | 5–10 minutes | Quick fixes without coding | Rewrites links dynamically (not a permanent database fix) |
| Better Search Replace (Database) | Intermediate | 15–30 minutes | Permanent cleanup of old posts, widgets, and menus | Requires backup first, risky if misused |
| WP-CLI Search & Replace | Advanced | 5–15 minutes | Developers or hosts with SSH access | Requires command-line access and confidence |
| .htaccess / Nginx Redirect | Intermediate | 10–20 minutes | Enforcing HTTPS for all traffic | Redirects don’t fix mixed content inside the database |
| Cloudflare HTTPS Rewrites | Beginner | 5 minutes | Sites using Cloudflare CDN | Doesn’t fix insecure external assets or plugins |
| Theme/Plugin Code Fix | Advanced | 30–60 minutes | Removing hardcoded http:// links | Requires editing theme files or replacing plugins |
Each option has pros and cons. For example, Really Simple SSL is the fastest fix for beginners, but a database search-replace gives you a permanent cleanup. Advanced users may prefer WP-CLI for speed, while Cloudflare users can toggle HTTPS rewrites in just a few clicks.
4. Force HTTPS with .htaccess
Even after you fix links, some visitors may still arrive via old http:// bookmarks or search results. That’s why it’s essential to enforce HTTPS at the server level. This ensures every request automatically redirects to the secure version.
If your site runs on Apache, add a rewrite rule in your .htaccess file. On Nginx, add a server block to forward port 80 traffic to port 443. Most cPanel hosts have a “Force HTTPS” toggle that does this for you.
You can take things further by enabling HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS). This tells browsers to always use HTTPS for your domain going forward, reducing the risk of insecure requests. Just be cautious, once HSTS is enabled and preloaded, it’s not easy to reverse. Make sure every page and asset loads securely before turning it on.
5. Check Themes and Plugins for Hardcoded Links
Sometimes the error persists because a theme or plugin is coded poorly and loads assets with absolute http:// links. For example, a slider plugin might pull in a script from an insecure URL, or a theme might reference a logo file without HTTPS.
To diagnose this, open Chrome DevTools, go to the Console tab, and reload the page. Look for “Mixed Content” warnings, they’ll point you to the exact file or resource. Once you find it, the fix may involve updating the plugin, editing its settings, or even swapping it out for a better-supported option.
If the problem comes from your theme, check your theme options panel. Many themes let you re-upload your logo or background image, which refreshes the link with HTTPS. If the theme itself is inserting insecure code, you may need to edit its template files or contact the developer.
6. Clear Cache + CDN Settings
Caching often keeps the “not fully secure” warning alive even after you’ve fixed everything. WordPress caching plugins like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache can store old insecure pages, and CDNs like Cloudflare may continue serving cached versions of your site.
After making changes, clear your WordPress plugin cache, purge your server cache if your host provides one, and then clear your browser cache. If you’re using Cloudflare, go into the dashboard, click “Purge Everything,” and also enable “Always Use HTTPS” and “Automatic HTTPS Rewrites.”
This three-step cache purge resolves lingering errors in most cases. If you skip this, you may think the problem isn’t fixed, when in reality the browser is just showing you an outdated copy of your site.
7. Special Cases: Subdomains, Multisite, Reverse Proxies, External Assets
Most fixes are straightforward, but some setups add complications. If your site uses subdomains, you’ll need an SSL certificate that covers all of them. Without it, visitors to blog.yoursite.com or cdn.yoursite.com will still see warnings.
For WordPress multisite, each subsite must be configured with HTTPS individually, in addition to the network admin.
Reverse proxies and load balancers sometimes confuse WordPress into thinking it’s serving HTTP even when SSL is present. In those cases, you may need to configure your server to forward the correct headers (X-Forwarded-Proto) so WordPress recognizes HTTPS.
Finally, check external assets like embedded images, fonts, or scripts. If they’re being pulled from an insecure source, they’ll trigger warnings on your site. Whenever possible, replace them with secure alternatives or host the assets locally.
8. Post-Fix Verification, Monitoring & Prevention
Once you believe everything is fixed, it’s time to confirm. Test multiple pages on your site, homepage, blog posts, product pages, and checkout forms. Use your browser’s console to confirm there are no mixed content warnings.
For ongoing monitoring, set up Jetpack Monitor or UptimeRobot. These tools alert you if your site goes offline, giving you a chance to check for SSL or configuration issues immediately.
To prevent this problem from coming back, always paste and upload URLs with HTTPS, never HTTP. When migrating your site or restoring from a backup, run a quick search-replace to normalize links. And finally, keep your SSL certificate on auto-renew so you’re never surprised by an expiration date.
FAQ: Fixing “Not Fully Secure” in WordPress
Why does my site say “not fully secure” even though SSL is installed?
Because one or more assets are still loading via HTTP. SSL encrypts the connection, but if even one file loads insecurely, browsers warn users.
Do I need to buy a paid SSL to fix this?
No. Free Let’s Encrypt certificates are just as secure. Paid versions mainly include insurance or support guarantees.
Where do mixed-content links usually hide?
Inside widgets, page builders, theme options (logos, sliders), and older posts with images pasted before SSL was active.
What’s the quickest fix for beginners?
Install Really Simple SSL, then clear caches. For a permanent fix, use Better Search Replace to update your database.
Does this affect WooCommerce checkout?
Yes. If your checkout page has insecure assets, customers may abandon carts. Always test your checkout page after fixing mixed content.
Does the warning hurt SEO?
Yes, insecure sites are less trusted by Google. HTTPS is also a ranking signal, so fixing this improves your SEO health.
What about Cloudflare users?
Use “Full (strict)” mode, enable HTTPS rewrites, and purge the cache. Many Cloudflare errors stem from having SSL set to “Flexible,” which causes loops.
Can I fix this without plugins?
Yes, by editing settings and using a database search-replace. Plugins just make the process simpler.
Do I need to redo this after moving hosts?
Often yes. If you migrate, check your site URLs and run another search-replace to ensure everything points to HTTPS.
What if only one page shows the error?
That page probably has a specific insecure image or script. Inspect the page with your browser’s console to find it.
Final Thoughts
Fixing the “Your connection is not fully secure” warning in WordPress is about patience and thoroughness. First, ensure your SSL certificate is live. Then correct your site URLs, clean up mixed content, enforce HTTPS at the server, and clear caches. For unusual setups like multisite or proxies, check subdomains and external assets. Once the browser padlock is restored, trust returns, conversions improve, and search engines see your site as modern and secure.
If you don’t want to ever think about SSL again, consider managed WordPress hosting. Platforms like WordPress.com and Pressable include free SSL, automatic renewals, backups, and malware protection. For business owners, this peace of mind is worth far more than the cost of a plugin or certificate.
For a complete step-by-step approach to WordPress security, check out our in-depth guide on How to Secure a WordPress Site
👉 Ready for stress-free WordPress hosting with SSL and backups included? Tap here to explore WordPress.com plans
Internal References
External References
AH Web Works 
What do you think?