How Long Does It Take for SSL to Stop Being Pending on Shopify?

If you've connected a custom domain to Shopify and see the "SSL Pending" status, don't panic—this is a common issue. Shopify automatically provides SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates for all stores, enabling HTTPS for security. However, the process of activation can take some time.

In this guide, we’ll cover:
✅ How long SSL activation takes on Shopify
✅ Why SSL might be stuck on "Pending"
✅ Step-by-step solutions to fix SSL issues faster

⏳ How Long Does SSL Activation Take on Shopify?

SSL certificates on Shopify usually activate within:

  • 0–5 minutes if you purchased your domain directly from Shopify

  • 1–6 hours if your domain is from a third-party provider but configured correctly

  • Up to 48 hours due to DNS propagation when updating domain settings

  • More than 48 hours? There’s likely a configuration issue that needs fixing

If SSL is still pending after 48 hours, you need to troubleshoot the issue.

❌ Why Is SSL Still Pending on Shopify?

Several factors can cause SSL to remain in the "Pending" state:

🔹 1️⃣ Your DNS Settings Are Incorrect

Shopify requires specific DNS records to verify and activate SSL. If your settings are incorrect, SSL won’t activate.

🔎 How to Check Your DNS Settings:

  1. Go to your domain provider’s website (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains, etc.)

  2. Find the DNS Management section

  3. Look for the A Record and CNAME Record

Correct DNS settings for Shopify:
✅ A Record: 23.227.38.65 (Pointing to Shopify’s IP address)
✅ CNAME Record: shops.myshopify.com (Used for Shopify’s verification)

🚀 How to Fix It:
🔹 If the A or CNAME record is incorrect, edit it:

  • Delete any old A Records and replace them with 23.227.38.65

  • Delete any extra CNAME records and set it to shops.myshopify.com

  • Save changes and wait up to 48 hours for DNS propagation

🔹 2️⃣ DNS Propagation Is Delayed

Even if your DNS settings are correct, changes take time to update across global servers. This process, called DNS propagation, can take up to 48 hours.

🔎 How to Check DNS Propagation:

  1. Visit DNS Checker

  2. Enter your domain name (e.g., yourstore.com)

  3. Check if A Record is showing Shopify’s IP 23.227.38.65 worldwide

🚀 How to Fix It:
🔹 If some locations still show old values, wait a few more hours
🔹 Clear your browser cache and cookies to check the updated status
🔹 Restart your internet router (this can refresh local DNS caching)

🔹 3️⃣ Conflicting SSL Certificates from Previous Hosting

If your domain was previously hosted on another platform (like Wix, Bluehost, or SiteGround), it may still have an old SSL certificate attached, preventing Shopify from issuing a new one.

🔎 How to Check for Conflicting SSLs:

  1. Go to SSL Checker

  2. Enter your domain (yourstore.com)

  3. If another SSL provider (like Let’s Encrypt, Cloudflare, or DigiCert) appears, it could be causing conflicts

🚀 How to Fix It:
🔹 Log in to your previous hosting provider
🔹 Find SSL settings and remove/deactivate old SSL certificates
🔹 Wait for 24–48 hours for Shopify to recognize the changes

🔹 4️⃣ You’re Using Cloudflare or Another CDN

Cloudflare, or other Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), often have their own SSL settings, which can interfere with Shopify's SSL activation.

🔎 How to Check If Cloudflare is Affecting SSL:

  1. Log in to your Cloudflare account

  2. Go to SSL/TLS settings

  3. If SSL mode is set to “Full” or “Strict”, it may block Shopify’s SSL

🚀 How to Fix It:
🔹 Change SSL mode to "Flexible" in Cloudflare
🔹 Disable Cloudflare temporarily and check if Shopify’s SSL activates
🔹 Once Shopify’s SSL is active, you can re-enable Cloudflare

🔹 5️⃣ Your Domain Was Recently Transferred

If you recently transferred your domain from one provider to another (e.g., from GoDaddy to Namecheap), it might still be processing. Domain transfers can take up to 7 days, during which SSL might remain pending.

🚀 How to Fix It:
🔹 Check your domain transfer status in your domain provider’s dashboard
🔹 Wait for the transfer to complete before troubleshooting further

✅ How to Fix Shopify SSL Pending Faster

If your SSL has been pending for more than 48 hours, follow these steps carefully to troubleshoot:

1️⃣ Verify your DNS settings in your domain provider
2️⃣ Wait up to 48 hours for DNS propagation
3️⃣ Remove any old SSL certificates from previous hosts
4️⃣ Disable Cloudflare SSL or set it to "Flexible"
5️⃣ Check if your domain transfer is still in progress
6️⃣ Contact Shopify Support if SSL is still pending after following these steps

🔥 Final Thoughts

Shopify SSL usually activates within a few hours but can take up to 48 hours due to DNS propagation. If your SSL is still pending after that, check your DNS settings, remove old SSLs, and disable Cloudflare if necessary.

At Windborne Solutions, we specialize in Shopify setup, domain troubleshooting, and seamless SSL integration. If you need expert help setting up a professional Shopify store, check out our work here.