Autossl 403 (Forbidden) error happens as a result of web directory permission issues which makes AutoSSL verification script not able to create a temporary file for the domain to complete the SSL generation and creation.

Here at Ibmi Media, as part of our Server Management Services, we regularly help our Customers to resolve related AutoSSL errors.

How we troubleshoot AutoSSL issues ?

For WHM Users:

1. Firstly, login to the WHM of the server in question and follow this path: Home > SSL/TLS > Manage AutoSSL.

2. cPanel > SECURITY > SSL/TLS will allow you to run the SSL on a specific domain but the WHM interface will run it on the whole account:

• Then, under "Manage Users" search the username of the cPanel account you're trying to run the SSL on.
• Once you see the account, click on "check «USERNAME»"
• Finally, to visualize the errors causing the SSL to be blocked. Click on logs > Refresh > Select the log to view and click "View Log".

For cPanel Users:

From cPanel> SECURITY> SSL/TLS status, select the domain or domains you need to install SSL on.

Then, click on Run  AutoSSL.

Nature of Autossl 403 (Forbidden) error ?

The exact error message looks as shown below:

The domain failed domain control validation: The system queried for a temporary file at but the web server responded with the following error: 403 (Forbidden). A DNS or web server misconfiguration may exist. at bin/autossl_check.pl line 565.

This means AutoSSL verification script is not able to create a temporary file for the domain.

How to fix Autossl 403 (Forbidden) error ?

To resolve this error, all you need to do is to assign 755 permissions and the correct owner to your public_html directory:

$ chmod 755 /home/user/public_html -v
$ chown user.user /home/user/public_html/ -R

Also, make sure you change user.user with your real cPanel user for that website.

Check your .htaccess in case you have allow/deny directives that may be preventing the cPanel AutoSSL verification script to access your website.

That will do the trick and allow cPanel to write the temporary file.

[Still facing Auto SSL error? We can help you. ]