How to fix the connectivity error on WordPress? Find out here.

Do you often see the following message on WordPress: " Error, unable to establish a secure connection "? This is a common WordPress error and it usually occurs when you try to install or update an extension or theme from the official WordPress.org directory.

In this tutorial, we will explain why this error occurs and especially how to easily solve this error of secure connection in WordPress.

But before, if you have never installed WordPress discover How to Install a WordPress Blog in 7 Steps et How to search, install and activate a WordPress theme on your blog 

Then back to why we are here.

How to fix the connectivity error on WordPress?

What are the causes of the error " Can not establish a secure connection On WordPress? WordPress comes with an integrated update management system. This system regularly checks these and then displays notifications that allow you to install extensions and theme updates.

However, it should connect to the WordPress.org website to check for updates or install them.

Discover the Quick Guide to WordPress Updates

But following a misconfiguration of your web hosting server, your WordPress website may not connect to the WordPress.org website. This will result in a secure connection error, and you will see an error message like the one below:

login error securisee.jpg

That being said, let's see how to easily fix secure connection errors on WordPress.

Resolutions of secure connections errors on WordPress

There are several methods to fix an unexpected secure login error in WordPress. You can try one of the following solutions depending on your case.

1. Problems with web hosting and server

If your shared web hosting server is under attack DDOS, so it is likely that the connection to the WordPress.org address will expire causing the secure login error. 

In this case, you can wait a few minutes and try again. If the error persists, then you must refer to the support team of your web host.

2. Cloud connectivity issue or VPS server

If you use the cloud or VPS web hosting, then your server may not be able to connect to WordPress.org due to DNS issues. In this case, you can directly point your server to the WordPress.org servers.

Discover How to fix the media library that no longer works on WordPress

You will need to login using the SSH. SSH is the English abbreviation for Secure Shell which is an encrypted protocol that allows you to connect to your web server using command line tools. 

Windows users can use a tool called PuTTy while Mac / Linux users can use the terminal. You will need login credentials that you can obtain from the cPanel dashboard of your web hosting account.

See also How to fix "Unable to write to disk" error on WordPress

In the terminal, you can connect to your server as follows

:ssh    [email protected]

Remember to replace the default user name "username" with yours and the default domain name "example.com" with the name of your choice. Once logged in, you must run the following command

:sudo nano /etc/hosts

This will open a file, where you will need to add the following code to the bottom of the file

: 66.155.40.202 api.wordpress.org

You can then save your changes and close the editor. Check your website to see if the error has been resolved.

3. Repair the error of secure connection of WordPress under local web hosting

If you are running WordPress on your own computer (Local web hosting), then maybe the PHP cURL extension is not enabled. This extension is however necessary to access WordPress.org and indirectly to the updates.

Go further by discovering also How to Add a Custom Navigation Menu to WordPress

You will need to modify the php.ini file on your computer. It is usually in the PHP folder of MAMP, XAMPP or WAMP. If you are on Windows, then look for the following line:

;extension=php_curl.dll

MAC and LINUX users will look for the following line:

;extension=curl.so

Then you must delete the semicolon before the text to activate the extension. Do not forget to save your php.ini file. Finally, do not forget to restart the Apache server for the changes to take effect.

4. Check the open ports in the firewall

If the cURL extension is correctly installed on your local server, then the next step will be to check the firewall of your internet connection. Your computer's firewall may block outgoing connections from your local server to WordPress.org.

Discover How to know which theme is used on a WordPress blog

If you are on Windows, click on the button Start and then find Windows Firewall settings. MAC users can find the firewall settings in System Preferences »Security and Confidentiality. You must add Apache to the allowed programs of your firewall and also allow inbound and outbound connections.

firewall windows.png

You must restart Apache for the changes to take effect.

Discover also some premium WordPress plugins  

You can use other WordPress plugins to give a modern appearance and to optimize the handling of your blog or website.

We offer you here some premium WordPress plugins that will help you do that.

1. Social Login for WordPress

Imagine your users are using their favorite social media accounts like Facebook or Twitter to log into your WordPress blog. This plugin makes that possible.

Social login-for-wordpress

In today's digital world, everyone has an account on a social network; this is frequently used to check for updates. This way, users are less likely to forget their account details compared to other login details.

Social Login for WordPress takes advantage of existing social media accounts to log into your WordPress blog. Thus, users will not need to register on your blog and remember new username and password.

Download | Demo | Web hosting

2. WP Custom Admin Login

WP Custom Admin Login is a WordPress Plugin WordPress default login page customization premium. It allows you to customize this page from the WordPress Customizer, and comes with over 25 awesome page templates which will be totally to choose from.

Wp custom admin login wordpress plugin to make a customized admin login page

Even if you do not have coding skills, you will be able to create an exceptional login page in no time. Its visual interface is very intuitive, which will allow you to configure your login page according to your preferences. It supports videos and images that can be used as a background on your page.

Download | Demo | Web hosting

3. WPMobile.App

WPMobile.App is a WordPress extension able to create a mobile application – Android and iOS – from any type of website that uses WordPress. 5 minutes are enough to test the rendering of the future application. Install the plugin, download the WPMobile.App application and view the result.

Mobile app for wordpress android ios wpmobile app

 

Then take the time to configure / test the application by changing the settings from WordPress. When everything is ready, purchase your license to move on to publishing on the various stores.

Among its features you will find among others: the customization of all elements, an unlimited number of notifications, the automatic synchronization of content and settings, the license for life, a free preview, especially no subscription.

Download | DemoWeb hosting

Recommended Resources

Find out about other recommended resources to help you build and manage your website.

Conclusion

Here! That's it for this tutorial. We hope it will allow you the connectivity error on WordPress. Feel free to share this tutorial with your friends on your favorite social networks

However, you will also be able to consult our resources, if you need more elements to carry out your projects of creation of Internet sites, by consulting our guide on the WordPress blog creation.

If you have suggestions or remarks, leave them in our section Comments.

...