How to Fix Mixed Content Issues in WordPress

Mixed content issues can pose security risks and hinder the functionality of your WordPress website. Ensuring a secure and seamless browsing experience is crucial for any site owner or developer. In this comprehensive tutorial, we’ll guide you through the process of identifying and resolving mixed content errors in WordPress, allowing you to fortify your website’s security and enhance its performance.

Update WordPress and Plugins

Begin by keeping your WordPress core, themes, and plugins up-to-date. Developers frequently release updates that address security vulnerabilities and mixed content problems.

Check WordPress Settings

To ensure your website operates over HTTPS:

• Go to your WordPress dashboard.
• Navigate to “Settings” > “General.”
• Ensure both “WordPress Address (URL)” and “Site Address (URL)” use HTTPS (e.g., https://www.yourwebsite.com).

Update Resource Links

Identify mixed content resources by:

• Right-clicking on your page and selecting “Inspect” (or press F12).
• Going to the “Console” tab; mixed content errors will be listed. Update internal resource links to use HTTPS by searching for “http://” in your content and replacing it with “https://.” This can be done manually or using a find-and-replace tool.

Use a Plugin to Force HTTPS

If you prefer to use a plugin to force HTTPS, you can consider options like:

• Really Simple SSL: A straightforward plugin that automatically detects your SSL certificate and configures your website to run over HTTPS.
  
• WP Force SSL & HTTPS Redirect: Forces SSL on your entire website and provides options to configure 301 redirects from HTTP to HTTPS.
  
• Easy HTTPS Redirection (SSL): Focuses on HTTPS redirection, allowing you to easily redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS.

Install and activate your chosen plugin from the WordPress repository. Follow the plugin’s setup instructions to automatically configure your website to run over HTTPS.

Update .htaccess to Force HTTPS

Edit your website’s .htaccess file (if you haven’t already) and add the following code to force HTTPS:

# Force HTTPS
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]
Code language: PHP (php)

This code enables the rewrite engine, checks if HTTPS is off, and redirects to the HTTPS version of the URL with a 301 status code for permanent redirection.

Implement a Content Security Policy (CSP)

This CSP header instructs browsers to automatically upgrade HTTP requests to HTTPS. Within your .htaccess file, include the following code within the <IfModule mod_headers.c> block:

# Content Security Policy (CSP)
<IfModule mod_headers.c>
Header always set Content-Security-Policy "upgrade-insecure-requests;"
</IfModule>
Code language: PHP (php)

This Content Security Policy (CSP) header instructs browsers to automatically upgrade insecure (HTTP) requests to secure (HTTPS) ones.

Test Your Site

Utilize online tools like WhyNoPadlock or browser developer tools to identify specific mixed content issues. Address any remaining issues one by one.

That’s it! By following these steps, you’ve successfully resolved mixed content issues in your WordPress website. Your site is now secure and compliant with HTTPS standards, providing a safer and more reliable experience for your visitors.