What Does SSL Pending Mean on Shopify? | Fix SSL Issues Fast

When operating an online store, website security should be a top priority. Shopify is one of the most reputable e-commerce platforms and, like others, takes security very seriously by automatically provisioning SSL certificates for custom domains. But several store owners run into the problem of encountering SSL Pending during domain customization in their stores.

SSL certificates make sure that all data transfer between your site and your visitors is encrypted. This means sensitive information like personal details and payment information is secured. Hence, seeing the status SSL Pending while setting up a shop on a custom domain can range from confusing to concerning, especially if you are impatiently waiting to launch your store.

This blog focuses on what “SSL Pending Shopify” means, the reasons for it, and the most effective ways to deal with the problem.

What Does SSL Pending Mean on Shopify?

If you’re wondering what "SSL Pending" means on Shopify, then you are at the right place. SSL pending means that the system is working on provisioning or setting an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate for your store's customized domain. This ensures that each data transfer between customers and the website is encrypted.

Like previously stated, SSL also enables “HTTPS” and guarantees a safer connection. As such, customers can now trust the website more and it is essential for its online credibility.

Why Is SSL Important?

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) security is imperative for the safety, credibility, and functionality of your online store. SSL is far more complex than a green padlock and rests at the heart of your e-commerce platform. Here are some crucial insights regarding SSL:

Security: SSL secures sensitive information being exchanged between your website and your customer's browser by encrypting logins, addresses, and even credit card information. Encryption makes it nearly impossible for hackers to misuse these credentials, guaranteeing a secure shopping atmosphere for customers and safeguarding your business from breaches.
Trust: SSL secures online transactions and builds trust amongst customers who may be wary of websites SSL has HTTPS in the URL. Online shoppers exhibit cautious behavior these days, so HTTPS gives them trust while validating purchase transactions and entering private data. Knowing their purchase and personal information is secured makes customers more confident in planning future visits to the site.
SEO: Google has indicated that site security now affects trust metrics for site ranking. Secure websites tend to rank higher than non-SSL counterparts. SSL not only assists customers from breaches, but also improves your website’s discoverability on search engines, increasing the traffic in your Shopify store.
Compliance: SSL is frequently needed when businesses are trying to adhere to data protection requirements like PCI-DSS, GDPR, or other local statutes. Not having a secure site could mean you are in non-compliance which brings legal implications and damages to your reputation.

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Causes for “SSL Pending” on Shopify

Resolving the issue brought by “SSL Pending” will require you to dig deeper into the status windows to find why the status is pending in the first place.

New Custom Domain: The SSL Certificate will not be immediately applied if you have recently added a new custom domain to your Shopify Store. Verification of domain ownership and connection with other infrastructures are prerequisites before a certificate can be secured in Shopify. There is a 48-hour verification period within which the “SSL Pending” message can be displayed as the system builds scaffolding for the setup’s final stages.
DNS configuration Issues: SSL delay has its roots embedded in wrong DNS settings which affects the pending status of the certificate. The system will not validate your domain if the A records are not pointed to the right IP address of Shopify which is 23.227.38.65, or the CNAME “www” does not lead to shops.myshopify.com. Rectifying these DNS ailments can be done within moments while ensuring that the SSL will be applied sincerely.
Domain Propagation Delays: After DNS modifications, DNS servers around the world take their sweet time to reflect said changes, sometimes going overboard for up to 72 hours. In this waiting period, SSL certificate provisioning is paused until the domain resolves correctly ubiquitously. In this case, waiting and occasional checking do the trick to understand whether DNS propagation has completed.
Third-Party Domain Providers: Having a domain with GoDaddy, Namecheap, or even Bluehost tends to make things a bit more complicated when it comes to setting up SSL with a third-party domain. These services may enforce strict DNS rules that are not user-friendly, and even the slightest mistake can lead to SSL being disabled. Moreover, some third-party providers take more time updating Domain Name System (DNS) records, which ultimately delays the provisioning of SSL.
Multiple Subdomains: In case your Shopify store incorporates several subdomains, or you have multiple, such as shop.yourstore.com and blog.yourstore.com, it increases the difficulty level of the SSL setup significantly. Validation and securing need to be done at the subdomain level. Usually, the free SSL certificate provided by Shopify is limited to the root domain and “www” so additional settings are required for comprehensive SSL coverage.

Steps to Resolve SSL Pending Status on Shopify

Below are steps to resolve the “SSL Pending Shopify” status that I have found to work best:

1. Check Your Domain's DNS Records

- An A record exists and is set to Shopify’s IP address, 23.227.38.65.

- CNAME for www is set to shops.myshopify.com

2. Wait for changes to take effect

If you have changed any DNS records, do not make further changes for two days and wait for the changes to take effect. If more than one change is made, it can lead to a debugging process.

3. Verify domains on Shopify

In case there have been some changes made to the domains in Shopify, check to see if in your Shopify admin’s Settings > Domains section, the domain states “Connected” or “SSL Pending.” If this is the case, it means that the certificate is in the process of being created. Both the root domain (yourstore.com) and the subdomain (www.yourstore.com) should be included.

4. Eliminate Redirect Loops

Make certain that any external applications or custom code do not create redirect loops. These loops could hinder the provisioning of SSL.

5. Reach out to Shopify Support

Shopify Support should be contacted in the case where there has been no change to the “SSL Pending” status after 48 hours. This is necessary as they could provide useful information or bypass the need for an SSL check.

SSL Pending Shopify Meaning vs. Other Errors

It is critical to differentiate “SSL Pending” from the rest of the SSL messages:

SSL Unavailable: This means Shopify cannot provision SSL due to some DNS or setting errors.
SSL Expired: An unlikely occurrence on Shopify but could happen if a domain is wrongly changed over.
SSL Active: Indicates that the SSL certificate is now active and the store is secured.

Knowing the precise message allows proper diagnosis of the issue in an efficient manner.

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Best Practices to Prevent SSL Issues in the Future

Purchase a Domain on Shopify: When you buy a domain from Shopify, it integrates with the rest of the tools offered on the platform. These domains do not require manual DNS provisioning because SSL certificates are auto-issued and installed. This mitigates configuration error potential and speeds up the process, unlike setting up with outside vendors.
Limit DNS Adjustments: After pointing the domain to Shopify, stopping a constant flow of DNS changes is paramount. Changes to the domain need to be more carefully controlled as excessive movement can reset the entire SSL provisioning stage or cause delays in certificate validation. Avoiding interruptions to security should be the primary focus.
Regular Monitoring: When it comes to Shopify Domain SSL pending management, check their status regularly on the admin dashboard of Shopify. Identifying issues early, such as a pending status or DNS misconfiguration, is useful as it allows for quick fixes. You get notified by Shopify usually about any set problems, but an additional manual process helps give peace of mind.
Use Simple Redirects: Redirects that are Native to Shopify's functions should always be used for both pages and domains. External scripts and third-party redirect applications may at times meddle with the validation of the SSL certificate, leading to browser warnings. Using Shopify's built-in function to manage redirects ensures SSL cooperation and boosts overall site performance.

Why Choose Quantum IT Innovation For Shopify Development?

Quantum It Innovation is bringing you an unmatched e-commerce experience because with us, every project counts. In case you are facing issues with setting up your new store, customizing an existing one or dealing with technical matters like “SSL Pending,” our experts are ready to help you out.

Our Services Include:

Custom Shopify Store Development: Starting with your ideas, we build you a unique, configured shop that comes with a user-friendly interface, mobile optimized and higher speed. Our objective is to make sure that the store meets your brand’s image as well as your business goals.
Shopify Theme Customization: We either edit existing Shopify themes or build new ones from scratch according to your specifications. Enhancements to functionality, layout modifications, color changes, typography adjustments, and improvements are all included in Custom Theme Shopify Development.
SSL & Domain Configuration: Our professionals configure SSL certificates and associate your domain with your website so that it becomes secure and credible. Our team resolves issues related to “SSL Pending Shopify” and guarantees successful domain propagation.
Shopify App Integration and Custom Application Development: At your request, we can add necessary third-party applications or create custom Shopify apps specific to your store. Workflows, from inventory to marketing, are processed through automation to enhance productivity.
Migrate from Other Platforms to Shopify: Migration from WooCommerce, Magento, or BigCommerce is done seamlessly. Without any downtime, your product inventory, customer information, and previous orders are completely transferred.
Ongoing Maintenance & Technical Support: The care and technical support provided by our experts for your Shopify store operates 24/7. Ongoing maintenance, software updates, bug fixing, backups, and optimizing performance are some of the tasks managed by our team.

We take care of everything so that you can run your business knowing that your online store is secure, high-performing, and optimized to drive customer conversion.

Conclusion

An SSL certificate is a crucial component of any online store's trust and security framework. While the "SSL Pending" status on Shopify can be frustrating, it’s usually a temporary issue that resolves with proper domain configuration and a little patience. By understanding the causes and implementing the fixes outlined in this blog, you can ensure a smooth and secure shopping experience for your customers.

Reach out to Quantum IT Innovation for any high-level assistance needed with a seamless Shopify Store setup. Your store will not only be aesthetically appealing but will also function perfectly, thanks to our adept developers.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does “SSL Pending” mean on Shopify?

The phrase "SSL Pending" Shopify meaning is that Shopify is in the process of setting up an SSL certificate for your domain. Your store will not display the secure HTTPS padlock, “SSL Pending” status will stop however, it is typically resolved in less than 48 hours, assuming any open pending DNS records configurations are correctly set and pointing to Shopify.

2. How long does it take for Shopify SSL to activate?

SSL activation on Shopify should typically take from 24 hours to up to 2 days after a custom domain is spatially set to configured on Shopify accounts. If activation exceeds this period, checking your domain name settings for possible errors or inconsistencies may solve the problem. Alternatively, it might also be wise to speak to Shopify support to sort out some possible configuration issues.

3. Can I still run my store with SSL Pending status?

Your store is still accessible under the “SSL Pending” status, but do note it won’t show up as secure. The lack of an HTTPS padlock will prevent some users from giving out their details, such as payment methods offered, which, as a result, hurts sales credibility greatly until SSL is completely activated.

4. Will changing my domain affect the SSL setup?

Absolutely. Modifying your domain or DNS records can disrupt the SSL provisioning process and may result in the status reverting to "SSL Pending." Always ensure DNS changes are made carefully, and allow proper propagation time to avoid security warnings or delays in SSL certification.

5. Should I use a third-party SSL certificate with Shopify?

No, Shopify automatically provides and manages SSL certificates for all custom domains at no extra cost. Using a third-party SSL certificate is not supported by Shopify and may lead to unnecessary complications, misconfigurations, and extended delays in securing your store effectively.