How to remove the passphrase from an Apache SSL Key?

• 31 December 2021
• in: Dedicated Hosting

Most webmasters would typically use a pass phrase for an Apache SSL key considering the safety perspective. However usually fail to understand that you simply have to be compelled to manually enter it when you start Apache, else it might not start.

So, if you would like to get rid of this and wish to remove the pass-phrase, here’s what you need to do.

As with any activity that you simply perform over the server, check that you back it up.

cp -rp www.key www.key.original

To proceed more, you need to unencrypt the key first, that you’ve use for the openssl. You need to 1st understand the passphrase to initiate this method.

Then run the command as given below:

openssl rsa -in www.key -out new.key

Then to www.key file copy the new.key and try restarting Apache. If you followed these steps properly, you should not be prompted to enter the passphrase.

If you face any problem with getting it done, please feel free to contact us via. our 24×7 Live Chat support.