How to download a UniFi SSL certificate on Windows

Whether you’re securing your UniFi Controller or just curious about SSL stuff, this guide will walk you through the process without putting you to sleep.

Let's Dive In!

Table of Contents

• What’s the deal with SSL certificates?
• Step 1: Get ready with the basics
• Step 2: Generating a CSR (Certificate Signing Request)
• Step 3: Submit the CSR to a Certificate Authority
• Step 4: Installing the SSL Certificate on your UniFi Controller
• Step 5: Verify your SSL certificate
• Troubleshooting Tips
• What to do if your SSL certificate doesn’t work
• Encryption
• Final Thoughts

What’s the deal with SSL certificates?

Before we jump in, let’s clear up what an SSL certificate is. You know that little padlock icon you see in your browser’s address bar when you visit a secure site? That’s SSL at work. It encrypts the data between your browser and the server, making it harder for hackers to intercept.

For UniFi Controller, an SSL certificate keeps your network’s web interface safe and sound.

Step 1: Get ready with the basics

First things first, you need access to your UniFi Controller and a Windows PC. Make sure your Controller is up and running because we’re going to dive into its guts to get that SSL certificate.

Step 2: Generating a CSR (Certificate Signing Request)

To get an SSL certificate, you need to generate a CSR from your UniFi Controller. This CSR is like your request letter to the SSL certificate authority (CA). Here’s how you do it:

1. Log in to your UniFi Controller:

   • Open your favorite web browser and head over to your UniFi Controller’s URL (e.g., https://your-unifi-controller-ip:8443).

   • Log in with your admin credentials.

2. Generate the CSR:

   • Navigate to the Settings tab.

   • Scroll down to the Maintenance section.

   • Look for the SSL Certificate or Custom SSL option (depending on your Controller’s version).

   • You’ll see an option to generate a CSR. Fill in the required details (like your country, state, organization name, etc.).
   • Save or download the generated CSR file to your PC.

Step 3: Submit the CSR to a Certificate Authority

Now that you have the CSR, it’s time to get it signed by a Certificate Authority. This part involves spending some money (sorry, no freebies here, unless you use Let’s Encrypt, but that’s a whole other story).

1. Choose a Certificate Authority:

   • Pick your favorite CA. Some popular ones include GoDaddy, DigiCert, or even Let’s Encrypt if you’re in the mood for a challenge.

2. Submit your CSR:

   • Go to the CA’s website, and look for the option to purchase or obtain an SSL certificate.
   • During the process, you’ll be asked to upload your CSR file. Do it.
   • Complete the purchase or registration, and the CA will provide you with a signed SSL certificate.

3. Download the SSL certificate:

   • After a bit of waiting (sometimes it’s instant, other times it might take a few minutes), you’ll receive an email with a link to download your SSL certificate.
   • Download the certificate files to your Windows PC.

Step 4: Installing the SSL Certificate on your UniFi Controller

With the signed SSL certificate in hand, it’s time to install it on your UniFi Controller. This part is crucial, so don’t miss any steps!

1. Access your UniFi Controller:

   • Head back to your UniFi Controller’s web interface.
   • Log in again if you got logged out.

2. Upload the SSL certificate:

   • Navigate to the Settings tab.

   • Go to the Maintenance section and find the SSL Certificate or Custom SSL option.

   • There should be an option to upload your SSL certificate files. Select it.

3. Upload your certificate files:

   • You’ll likely need to upload multiple files: the primary SSL certificate, intermediate certificates (if any), and the private key (which should have been generated when you created the CSR).
   • Select each file and upload them as prompted.

4. Restart your UniFi Controller:

   • Once everything’s uploaded, you may need to restart your UniFi Controller for the changes to take effect.
   • After the restart, your Controller’s web interface should now be using the new SSL certificate.

Step 5: Verify your SSL certificate

Time to make sure all that hard work paid off! Let’s check if your SSL certificate is working correctly.

1. Open your browser:

   • Go to your UniFi Controller’s URL (e.g., https://your-unifi-controller-ip:8443).

   • Look for that little padlock in the address bar. If it’s there, you’ve done everything right!

2. Check the certificate details:

   • Click on the padlock icon in your browser’s address bar.
   • View the certificate details and make sure it’s issued by your chosen CA and matches your domain.

Troubleshooting Tips

Sometimes things don’t go as planned. If your SSL certificate isn’t working, here are a few things to check:

• Mismatched Certificate and Private Key: Make sure the SSL certificate matches the private key generated with the CSR.

• Intermediate Certificates: If your CA provided intermediate certificates, make sure you’ve uploaded them correctly.

• Certificate Expiry: Ensure that the certificate hasn’t expired. If it has, you’ll need to renew it.

What to do if your SSL certificate doesn’t work

Even after all the steps, things can go wrong. If your SSL certificate isn’t working, here’s how to troubleshoot and get things back on track:

1. Double-check the CSR and Private Key:

   • Ensure that the CSR you generated was used to create the SSL certificate and that the private key matches it. Mismatches here can cause the certificate not to work.

2. Look into certificate chain issues:

   • Sometimes, your SSL certificate needs intermediate certificates to complete the chain of trust. If these aren’t installed correctly, the SSL might not work as expected. Re-upload these if necessary.

3. Consider re-issuing the certificate:

   • If all else fails, re-issue the SSL certificate. Go back to your CA, re-submit your CSR, and go through the process again. It’s a hassle, but it’s better than banging your head against the wall.

4. Check for conflicting SSL settings:

   • If you’ve ever tinkered with SSL settings on your UniFi Controller or server, something might be conflicting with the new certificate. Check any related settings and ensure they align with the new SSL certificate.

5. Seek help from the community:

   • When in doubt, turn to the UniFi community forums. Many other users have likely faced the same issue, and there’s a good chance someone has already posted a solution. It’s a great place to share your problem and get advice from seasoned pros.

Encryption

If you’re on a budget or enjoy a good challenge, Let’s Encrypt is a free option for getting an SSL certificate. However, it’s not as straightforward as the paid options, especially when integrating with UniFi Controller.

You’ll need to be comfortable with command-line tools and understand the process of renewing certificates every 90 days.

Using Let’s Encrypt with UniFi Controllers on Windows involves more manual steps and some creative workarounds. While this is doable, it’s a bit more involved and might not be worth the hassle unless you’re committed to keeping costs down.

Final Thoughts

And that’s it! You’ve just downloaded and installed a shiny new SSL certificate on your UniFi Controller Now, every time you log in, you can rest easy knowing your connection is secure.

If this seems a bit overwhelming, don’t worry. It gets easier with practice. Plus, it’s a great skill to have in your networking toolkit.

By the way, if managing UniFi Controller sounds like too much work, consider letting us handle it for you. At UniHosted, we offer a hassle-free UniFi hosting service that includes SSL certificate management, backups, and more.