Generate a CSR from cPanel or WHM

What is a CSR?

CSR stands for Certificate Signing Request. It is a block of text with your domain name and details. You send it to the certificate seller, and they build your certificate from it. A private key is made at the same time. The private key is a secret file that matches your certificate. Never share it.

Option 1: in cPanel

cPanel is the panel for one hosting account.

1. Log in to cPanel.

   

2. Open SSL/TLS.
3. Click Generate, view, or delete SSL certificate signing requests.
4. Pick a key type, such as RSA, 2048 bit.
5. Type your domain in the Domains box.
6. Fill in city, state, country, company and email.
7. Click Generate and copy the CSR text.

Option 2: in WHM

WHM is the Web Host Manager. Resellers, VPS and dedicated server owners use it. This option needs WHM access.

1. Log in to WHM.
2. Type Generate an SSL Certificate in the search box on the left.
3. Click Generate an SSL Certificate and Signing Request.

   

   

4. Choose the key type.
5. Enter the domain name or names.
6. Fill in the company, city, state, country and email.
7. Enter a password if you want to protect the key. Many people leave this empty, because a password stops the web server from restarting without help.
8. Click Create.
9. WHM shows the CSR, the key and sometimes a self-signed certificate. Copy the CSR and the private key. Save them somewhere safe.

What next?

1. Paste the CSR into the seller's order form.
2. Prove you own the domain.
3. Install the certificate when it arrives. In WHM use Install an SSL Certificate on a Domain. In cPanel use Manage SSL sites.

Quick recap

• A CSR is the request text for a certificate.
• cPanel: SSL/TLS then the CSR page.

  

• WHM: Generate an SSL Certificate and Signing Request.

  

• Copy and keep the private key safe.