What steps should I take to resolve the Error 525 / SSL Handshake Failed issue on my Webflow website after changing the DNS settings in Cloudflare?

Published on
September 22, 2023

To resolve the Error 525 / SSL Handshake Failed issue on your Webflow website after changing the DNS settings in Cloudflare, you can follow these steps:

  1. Verify your SSL certificate in Webflow: Make sure that your SSL certificate is correctly installed and active in Webflow. To do this, go to your Webflow project settings, click on the Hosting tab, and then click on the "Check SSL Status" button. If there are any issues with your certificate, you will be notified and given instructions on how to resolve them.

  2. Check your DNS settings in Cloudflare: Log into your Cloudflare account and navigate to the DNS settings for your domain. Ensure that your DNS records are correctly configured, especially your SSL-related records such as the A, CNAME, or ALIAS records. Double-check that your SSL settings are correct (e.g., Full SSL or Full SSL (strict)).

  3. Ensure SSL is enabled in Cloudflare: In your Cloudflare account, go to the SSL/TLS tab and make sure that SSL is enabled and set to the appropriate mode (e.g., Full or Full (strict)). This will ensure that Cloudflare is properly handling the SSL handshake between your visitors and your Webflow site.

  4. Clear Cloudflare cache: Clearing the Cloudflare cache can help resolve various caching-related issues. In your Cloudflare account, go to the Caching tab and click on the "Purge Everything" button to clear the cache.

  5. Wait for DNS propagation: Sometimes, DNS changes may take some time to propagate globally. After making any DNS or SSL-related changes in Cloudflare, it's important to allow sufficient time for the changes to take effect. This process typically takes up to 24 hours but can vary.

  6. Contact Webflow support: If you've followed the steps above and still experience the Error 525 / SSL Handshake Failed issue, it's best to reach out to Webflow's support team for further assistance. They can help troubleshoot the issue and provide specific guidance based on your website setup.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the Error 525 / SSL Handshake Failed issue on your Webflow website after changing the DNS settings in Cloudflare.

Additional Questions:

  1. How do I verify my SSL certificate in Webflow?
  2. How do I ensure SSL is enabled in Cloudflare?
  3. How long does DNS propagation usually take after making changes in Cloudflare?