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WordPress site on Lightsail can't connect to any HTTPS resource

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I have a WordPress site on a Lightsail instance. I had SSL on it using Jetpack and am running WordFence. Recently, HTTPS doesn't work, and the instance doesn't seem able to connect to any HTTPS resource, which means no Wordfence servers, no Jetpack servers, nothing. The Lightsail networking tab hasn't been changed and allows outbound HTTP connections. I can ping IP addresses, but https:// domain names all time out.

2 Answers
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The issue you're experiencing with your WordPress site on Lightsail not being able to connect to HTTPS resources could be due to several factors. Here are some potential causes and solutions to consider:

  1. SSL Certificate: If your SSL certificate has expired or is misconfigured, it can cause HTTPS connections to fail. You might want to check the status of your SSL certificate and consider renewing or reconfiguring it.

  2. WordPress Version: If you're running an older version of WordPress (prior to version 6), it may contain incompatible software and dependencies that prevent proper HTTPS functionality. In this case, you should consider creating a new WordPress instance from the Lightsail console with the latest version and migrating your website to it.

  3. Firewall Settings: Although you mentioned that the Lightsail networking tab allows outbound HTTP connections, double-check that the firewall rules are correctly configured to allow both inbound and outbound HTTPS traffic (port 443).

  4. DNS Configuration: Ensure that your DNS records are correctly set up and pointing to the right IP address. Sometimes, DNS propagation issues can cause connection problems.

  5. SSL Plugin Configuration: Since you mentioned using Jetpack for SSL, there might be a configuration issue with the plugin. Try disabling Jetpack temporarily and use a different SSL solution, such as the Really Simple SSL plugin, to see if it resolves the issue.

  6. Server-side Issues: There could be server-side configuration problems preventing HTTPS connections. You may need to check the server's SSL/TLS settings and ensure that the necessary protocols are enabled.

  7. Network Issues: Although less likely, there could be network-level problems affecting HTTPS connections. Try accessing the site from different networks to rule this out.

If none of these solutions work, you might want to consider creating a new Lightsail WordPress instance and migrating your content to it. This approach would ensure you're working with the latest, most compatible version of WordPress and its dependencies.

Remember to back up your data before making any significant changes to your WordPress installation or Lightsail instance.

Sources
Resolve WordPress setup errors on Lightsail - Amazon Lightsail
Secure your Lightsail WordPress instance with free Let's Encrypt SSL certificates - Amazon Lightsail
Community | Securing Wordpress on Lightsail: Lock Down Your Server

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answered 13 days ago
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EXPERT
reviewed 12 days ago
1

Hi,

Thank you for reaching out, could you try to reboot the instance and see if you can regain network access, thank you.

AWS
answered 13 days ago
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EXPERT
reviewed 12 days ago
  • I've rebooted the instance and https traffic still doesn't work.

  • Firewall Settings: Although you mentioned that the Lightsail networking tab allows outbound HTTP connections, double-check that the firewall rules are correctly configured to allow both inbound and outbound HTTPS traffic (port 443).

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