Shopify SSL: What It Is & Quick Fix To Solve Pending Issues
Imagine visiting an online store and seeing a “Not Secure” warning at the top of your browser. Would you still enter your card details? Probably not. And honestly, most shoppers won’t either. That’s exactly why Shopify SSL certificates exist: to protect customer data and build trust at first glance.
Shopify gives you SSL for free. But sometimes, you may see a message: “SSL Pending.” This can stop your store from going live or scare away visitors.
In this guide, we’ll explain what Shopify SSL means, why it matters, and how to fix common problems. If you want your store to be safe and ready to sell, this article will help you!
Contents
1. What Is Shopify SSL and Why Does It Matter?
1.1. What Is an SSL Certificate?
An SSL certificate on Shopify (sometimes called a TLS certificate) is a mini digital file that makes a website real and secure. It does two important things:
- Ensuring that a real business runs your store and prevents any data customers share with you, such as passwords, payment info, or contact details.
- Preventing anyone else from seeing or interfering with that connection. It is a very powerful, though silent, means to earn trust.
1.2. How Does Shopify SSL Work?
1.2.1. Protects customer data
When someone inputs their data into your store, such as a password or card number, Shopify SSL keeps your connection private by encrypting the data. This ensures no one else can read or steal the information. It would help prevent fraud and data leaks.
1.2.2. Increases buyer confidence and conversion rates
If buyers see that you have made your site secure, then it makes them trust you. Therefore, more people would be inclined to buy items from your store, thus resulting in higher sales and better conversion rates.
1.2.3. Displays trust signals
SSL adds a small padlock icon next to your store’s URL and changes it from http to https. These are clear signs that your website is secure. Customers often look for them before entering personal details or making a purchase.
Without SSL, browsers may display alarming warnings like “Not Secure,” which can easily turn visitors away. By having SSL enabled, you not only avoid these warnings but also build trust and make shoppers feel safer when browsing your store.
1.2.4. Required for secure online transactions
SSL is a must-have for any store that accounts for online payment transactions. Without it, payment gateways and browsers may block your store or classify it as risky. With SSL, your checkout remains safe and smooth.
1.2.5. Improves SEO
Websites using SSL are ranked better by Google. Not just this; while using SSL, your store becomes more secure and widely recognized through this innovation, even by more people. A safer site not only protects your customers but also improves your store’s visibility in search results.
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1.3. Does Shopify Provide SSL Certificates?
Of course! Shopify provides free SSL certificates for every store by default — no extra steps needed! You neither need to buy nor set up anything by yourself. As soon as your domain is connected, Shopify will automatically create and activate SSL across your store.
This means that all the pages in your store — from the homepage to the checkout — will be covered under a secure connection. Your URL will change from http to https, and you’ll see a padlock icon in the browser, indicating that your site is secure.
For store owners, this is a major advantage since the cost of installing a separate SSL certificate is taken away. The platform does the setup for the Shopify security certificate so the owner can concentrate on business and customers.
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2. Shopify SSL Pending: What It Means and How to Fix It
2.1. Shopify SSL Pending Meaning
The “SSL Pending” message in your Shopify store indicates that the SSL certificate for Shopify has not yet been fully activated. Your domain is still working through the final setup process, so any secure connection (HTTPS) is currently not live.
However, your store is still online and available for anyone’s browsing. As a result, any visitor can browse and use your store, though their data remains unprotected. That is a big concern, especially for store owners who collect customer data or process payments through their site.
To avoid security issues, it’s important to resolve the problem before launching your store or driving traffic to it. A safe connection protects users, builds trust, and shields your brand from potential harm.
So, what should you do if your SSL status is stuck on “Pending”? Let’s walk through how to fix it step by step.
👉 For further assistance on how to set up your store from scratch, be sure to visit our article on how to launch a Shopify store.
2.2. How To Fix Shopify SSL Pending Issues
Shopify’s “SSL Pending” message might look alarming, but in most cases, it’s easy to fix. Here are four simple ways to resolve the issue and secure your store:
2.2.1. Wait 48 Hours for Propagation
When you link a custom domain to Shopify, the time needed to verify and apply the SSL certificate can be as much as 48 hours. This is especially true if the domain was just added or changed.
During this time, Shopify does all the backend stuff in the background to generate and apply the SSL. You don’t need to do anything else; just wait and check back later. Move on to the next steps if, after waiting more than 2 days, the message is still there.
2.2.2. Double-Check DNS Settings (A Record, CNAME, etc.)
Incorrect DNS records are one of the most common causes of SSL Pending errors. Here’s what you should check:
- Your A record must point to the following address: 23.227.38.65
- CNAME Record: shops.myshopify.com, if you’re using www.yourstore.com.
- Verification of Single A Record – having more than one A record will confuse Shopify’s system.
- No other conflicting records should exist (like AAAA, duplicate CNAMES, etc.).
To do this, log in to your domain registrar (where you bought your domain from, like GoDaddy or Namecheap) and go to the DNS management section. Update or correct any records and save the changes.
It may take a couple of hours for changes to the DNS to apply, so be patient after updating.
2.2.3. Remove Conflicting Third-Party SSLs
When you add a custom SSL certificate through your domain provider or a third-party service like Cloudflare, it can interfere with Shopify’s automatic SSL process. This creates a constraint that may prevent Shopify from issuing or activating its own certificate.
Shopify provides you with free SSL certificates by default, so adding your own isn’t necessary and could lead to conflicts between certificates. You should remove those external SSL settings from your domain dashboard or hosting provider and then wait for Shopify to apply its own.
This is also mandatory if your store was previously migrated from another platform.
2.2.4. Contact Shopify Support If It Persists
If you’ve checked everything, waited 48 hours, and the SSL is still pending, it’s time to contact Shopify Support. Here’s something you should prepare to share with them:
- Your store’s domain name
- A screenshot of your DNS settings (not necessary, but would help)
- A brief description of what you’ve already tried
Shopify support will help you with the backend issues that you don’t have permission to see and get the problem fixed. You can reach them through live chat, email, or phone, and they’re well-versed in helping store owners fix SSL certificate expired or pending errors quickly.
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3. Conclusion
Shopify SSL does more than just encrypt data — it builds trust from the very first click. Whether you’re opening your first store or making updates, SSL is something you can’t skip. It shows people your business is real, secure, and ready for serious sales.
If your store shows “SSL Pending,” don’t ignore it. Follow the steps we shared to fix it quickly. Once SSL is active, your store will look more professional and feel safer for everyone.
At eComStart, we help you launch and grow Shopify stores without the technical hassle. If you need support, visit eComStart and let’s make your store stronger and more secure.
4. FAQs
