How to enable Force SSL option in your Joomla site?

Before proceeding with below steps, keep in mind that the domain should have a valid SSL.If you need any help regarding SSL installation, you will need to contact your Hosting for detailed instructions.

Step 1: configure your configuration.php file

• Open your configuration.php file

Find the following line:

var $live_site ='';

Replace with:

var $live_site = 'https://www.your-domain-name.com';

Note :- Add your domain name instead of www.your-domain-name.com.

Then, open your .htaccess file then add the below code to the bottom of the file.

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} OFF
RewriteRule (.*) https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI}

Step 2: Enable Force SSL option in your Joomla site

You can do it from the Joomla admin panel or Joomla configuration file.

From Joomla admin panel :-

• Go to System >> Global Configuration or simply click the Global Configuration button.
• Under Server tab, go to “Server Settings” section, there are 3 options for Force SSL that you can choose.
  • None for SSL will not be enabled in your Joomla site.
  • Administrator Only for connections to your administrator will be on HTTPS.
  • Entire Site for connections all over your website will be on HTTPS.

You can use Entire Site for the “Force HTTPS” option

• Click on Apply/Save button to reflect the changes.

From Joomla configuration file.

• Open for edit the configuration.php file
• Search for below entry public $force_ssl
• Change public $force_ssl value to 2 to choose “Entire Site“

public $force_ssl = '2';

• To choose “None“

public $force_ssl = '0';

• To choose “Administrator Only“

public $force_ssl = '1';

• Save the changes to the file.

That’s it 🙂 Please cross check it from your end now and let me know if you need any help on this.