When launching a new domain, it's common to encounter a “Not Secure” warning in the browser. This typically indicates that the website doesn't yet have an SSL/TLS certificate installed, an essential requirement for encrypting visitor data and building trust.

If the webhosting plan or account already includes SSL and yet this happens, it is probably because the cPanel has just been set up and the SSL is still being installed and run by the system or needs to be manually configured and installed. 

If your website is hosted on a cPanel-based server, you can quickly resolve this issue using the built-in AutoSSL tool. This guide outlines the exact steps to secure a domain with AutoSSL on cPanel.

Step 1: Confirm the "Not Secure" warning

After opening the website, check the browser’s address bar. A “Not Secure” message usually appears, signaling that the connection isn't encrypted and a valid SSL certificate is missing.

Trying to access the site with HTTPS (https://) may result in a browser error such as:

“Your connection is not private.”
This confirms that no SSL certificate is currently installed, or it's misconfigured.

Additionally, you may also check if SSL is present or active using any of the SSL/HTTPS online checkers like: 

• SSL Certificate Checker https://www.ssl.org/
• SSL Shopper's SSL Checker: https://www.sslshopper.com/ssl-checker.html

Step 2: Log in to your cPanel account

Access your cPanel account, normally accessible via, for example, https://yourdomain.com/cpanel the hosting control panel where website settings are managed.

This is where the SSL setup process begins.

At this point, you may also see the "Your connection is not private" page. You may simply allow this temporarily by clicking "Advanced", then allow non-secure. This step is necessary at least to be able to access your cPanel.

Step 3: Search for SSL settings

Once inside cPanel:

1. Use the search bar at the top right corner of any of your cPanel pages.
2. Type in "SSL".
3. Click on the SSL/TLS Status tool.

This tool displays the SSL certificate status for all domains and subdomains associated with your hosting account.

Step 4: Check for red warnings (No SSL Installed)

In the SSL/TLS Status interface, look for red 🚫 icon next to your domains. These indicate that there is no SSL certificate is installed, at least has not been configured/activated yet or has not completed running yet (especially for newly setup cPanel or newly subscribed webhosting accounts).

You may also see a message explaining that AutoSSL couldn't issue a certificate because the domains were not resolving, something that often happens with newly added domains.

Step 5: Run AutoSSL manually

To resolve the issue:

1. Select all affected domains by checking the corresponding boxes ✅.
2. Click the “Run AutoSSL” button.

This action instructs the system to retry the process of verifying domain ownership and installing free SSL certificates.

Step 6: Wait for AutoSSL installation to complete

After initiating AutoSSL, a message like "AutoSSL is in progress…" will appear. The system will then work in the background to verify domain ownership and issue the required certificates. This may take a few minutes or longer. Be sure to check back again to and verify status.

Step 7: Verify SSL installation

Once AutoSSL completes:

1. Go back to your homepage or any webpage again. Refresh the pages.
2. Check the browser for the padlock icon in the address bar.
3. The “Not Secure” warning should now be gone.

This indicates that a valid SSL certificate has been installed, and the website is now secure.

Summary

Securing a new domain with AutoSSL in cPanel is a straightforward process. If a “Not Secure” warning appears, simply use the SSL/TLS Status tool to identify missing certificates and run AutoSSL manually. In just a few minutes, your site will be encrypted and ready to safely handle visitor traffic.