How to generate a CSR in Cpanel

November 02, 2010

If you are obtaining a certificate from a trusted SSL provider, you need a CSR to get SSL certificate. Do the following steps for creating a certificate signing request (CSR) for CPanel servers.

Step 1: Generate a Private Key – You must generate a key before you can generate any certificate signing requests.

  1. Login to cPanel.
  2. Click SSL/TLS Manager > Private Keys (KEY).


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  3. Scroll down near the bottom of the page to the Generate a New Key section.
  4. Select the desired domain name from the pull-down menu, or type it into the Host field (e.g., www.domain.com).
  5. Select the key bit-length. We recommend 2048 (2048 is required for EV certificates).
  6. Click the Generate button to generate the new key.
  7. A new private key is generated and is stored on the server.

Step 2: Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR)

  1. Go back to Cpanel home. Click SSL/TLS Manager > Certificate Signing Request (CSR).
  2. Using the CSR Legend on the right-hand side of this page, fill out the Generate a New Certificate Signing Request form.
  3. Click the Generate button to generate the new CSR.
  4. cPanel shows you the CSR in the top box under SSL Certificate Signing Request (don’t worry about the contents of the box below it, you don’t need it).
  5. Copy everything in the top box.
  6. Save a copy of your CSR.