Introduction

Securing your website with an SSL certificate is a multi-step process. However, before you can install the certificate in InterWorx, you must first complete the validation and issuance steps.

Prerequisites

A server with InterWorx, along with root access.
A domain configured in Nodeworx.
An SSL certificate associated with the domain, including the Private key and Certificate Signing Request (CSR).

Generate the CSR on the server

If the CSR was generated on this server, you should already have the Private Key installed. For help, follow the link found below.

Importantly, if you do not currently have an SSL, please ensure you have completed the following steps before proceeding with this guide:

Generating an SSL Certificate Signing Request (CSR) in Interworx Web Panel
- You must generate a CSR on the server where the site is hosted.
Ordering an SSL Certificate
- Purchase the certificate using the CSR you generated.
Verifying an SSL Certificate
- Complete the domain validation process to have the certificate authority issue your files.

Once you have received your certificate files (usually a .crt and a CA Bundle), follow the steps below to install them in cPanel and secure your site.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Log in to SiteWorx (for help logging in, see Logging into InterWorx Web Panel.
In the left navigation menu, click Hosting Features, then Domains, followed by SSL.
Click Setup SSL Certificate.
Paste the X509 part and Root bundle into their respective input fields.
Copy and paste the whole private key from your CSR into the Private Key field.
Click Install.
You’ve successfully installed an SSL certificate on your domain!

Next Steps

Run your domain name through our SSL checker to ensure you installed everything correctly.
Force visitors to the secured version of the site using various methods, including plugins, or the apache htaccess file.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Private Key is generated simultaneously with the CSR.

If you generated the CSR elsewhere: You must manually copy the Private Key from the external server or tool you used to generate the request. If you have lost this key, you cannot install the certificate and must reissue the SSL.
If you generated the CSR in SiteWorx: The Private Key should already be saved in the system. Check the dropdown menu or look for a “Private Key” view option in the SSL menu.

This is the file provided by your Certificate Authority (like Sectigo or DigiCert) that links your specific certificate to a trusted root source. It is usually sent to you via email or downloadable from your Liquid Web account alongside your main certificate (.crt) file.

Installation makes HTTPS available, but it does not force your website to use it automatically. You likely need to:

Check for “Mixed Content” (images or scripts loading over HTTP) which breaks the security padlock.
Redirect traffic from HTTP to HTTPS using an .htaccess file (see the “Next Steps” section).

NodeWorx is for server-wide administration; you would install an SSL there only if you are securing the login page for the server itself (e.g., server.hostname.com:2443). SiteWorx is for individual domains; you must use SiteWorx (as described in this guide) to secure your actual websites (e.g., yourdomain.com).

You can, but it is not necessary. SiteWorx has a built-in “Generate Let’s Encrypt Certificate” button that automates the entire process (CSR, validation, and installation) for you. This manual guide is best for paid, Organization Validated (OV), or Extended Validation (EV) certificates.

Click here to learn how to setup Let’s Encrypt in Siteworx.

Yes. When installing a Wildcard SSL, simply enter the domain with the asterisk (e.g., *.example.com) in the Domain field. The rest of the steps remain the same.

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