ionos forcing ssl

[Debbie Tomkies]

Hi all,

I'm trying to set up a new install of wordpress for a new website but, having installed to a sub-directory of the root directory, created the database and amended the wp-config file, I just can't access the domain when I input the domain name into any browser. I'm using Ionos for hosting (websitepro) and I think the problem may be that ionos is forcing ssl as whenever I put in the domain name it changes the http to https. Leaving aside that it would be correct protocol to have https, for the moment I just need to get it up and running (long story but planning to move away from ionos not least because they don't have cpanel and want £100 pa for a global ssl cert which it seems pointless paying for just for a few weeks).

Is this likely to be the problem? I've looked in the wp-login file and it has this:

// Redirect to HTTPS login if forced to use SSL.

if ( force_ssl_admin() && ! is_ssl() ) {

            if ( 0 === strpos( $_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'], 'http' ) ) {

                        wp_safe_redirect( set_url_scheme( $_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'], 'https' ) );

                        exit();

            } else {

                        wp_safe_redirect( 'https://' . $_SERVER['HTTP_HOST'] . $_SERVER['REQUEST_URI'] );

                        exit();

            }

}

If I'm barking up the wrong tree or it would take a lot of effort to resolve, just let me know as I don't want to impose on anyone's time (you guys have already been very generous with your support).

Many thanks, Debbie

[Mike Little]

Hi Debbie, 

I don't know whether you got this solved. But that code in the wp-login.php is standard code. It is possible to add settings to wp-config.php to force SSL so you should check there (https://wordpress.org/support/article/editing-wp-config-php/#require-ssl-for-admin-and-logins). 

But the other thing is that it could be your browser. One of the things a hosting company normally does when using SSL is to add a header that says to your browser "Now SSL is working, always prefer that for this domain". So even if you type in http and the server is happy to accept http, the browser might say, "Nah, give me https". This is a normal (and recommended) thing to do, but of course if your certificate expires or is not set up on new hosting it could cause trouble.

However if your hosting is not set up to accept traffic on https until you buy a certificate from them you are stuck. 

All hosting companies can offer FREE certificates from Lets Encrypt, so you should never be forced to pay for one (there are reasons to do so, but you should always have a choice).

I don't understand why you need to stick with the current hosting company. If you are planning to move away from them, it doesn't matter how long you've currently paid for, it is lost money. If you really need somewhere quick and cheap just to get the site up, go with 34sp.com £9.95 per month (https://www.34sp.com/wordpress-hosting), siteground £11.99 per month(https://www.siteground.com/web-hosting.htm),

Flywheel $15 per month (https://getflywheel.com/pricing/), or even GoDaddy (6.99 per month https://uk.godaddy.com/hosting/wordpress-hosting 

I don't think any of them offer cpanel any more -- and I would not recommend it. If you are hosting a WordPress site, you don't need it. I host hundreds of WordPress sites and no-one has a cpanel, plesk or any of that nonsense.

Hope this helps.

Stay safe and healthy, best regards,

Mike

-- 

Mike Little

WordPress Specialist

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[Debbie Tomkies]

Hi Mike,

Thanks as always for the helpful advice. Ionos flat refused to allow installation of free ssl certificates and insisted I had to buy theirs so I paid the £100 for the year. Granted it does cover all domains in the contract but since Ionos re-branded from 1&1 it seems it's all about the upsells. After some to'ing and fro'ing with getting the database to connect, I've now got the holding page up and am working on the new site behind the scenes.

Many thanks for the hosting suggestions. Once I've got this site underway a bit that will be next on the 'to do' list! Having just accidentally deleted a database (don't ask), Ionos wanted £70 to restore it. Thankfully, I had backups with UpdraftPlus so managed to do it myself. (And it was a MWUG) discussion that made sure I create backups so a big thumbs up for that one, too). 

Interesting about c-panel. So much stuff on the internet refers to it (and that is why it's better to ask an expert than trust everything you find via google! 😁 ).

Cheers again,

Debbie

Debbie Tomkies
DT Craft & Design
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Phone: 0161 718 3818

Website: http://www.debbietomkies.co.uk
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