AWS EC2: How to Resolve HTTPS Connection Issues Despite Ping Success

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If you’re having trouble connecting to your EC2 instance over HTTPS, but you’re able to connect through other methods like SSH or HTTP, don’t worry — you’re not alone. This issue can be frustrating, but there’s a straightforward way to fix it and regain access securely.

First, check if your EC2 instance has a valid SSL/TLS certificate installed and properly configured. Without this, HTTPS connections won’t work correctly. Sometimes, the problem is simply because the certificate isn’t set up or has expired. You can get a free SSL certificate from providers like Let’s Encrypt or purchase one from a trusted SSL provider.

Next, confirm that your security groups allow inbound traffic on port 443, which is used for HTTPS. Log into your AWS account, go to your EC2 dashboard, and look at the security groups associated with your instance. Make sure there’s a rule that permits inbound traffic on port 443 from your IP address or range.

Another common issue is the web server configuration. Whether you’re using Apache, Nginx, or another server, double-check that it’s configured to listen for HTTPS connections on port 443. Sometimes, the server might be only configured for HTTP (port 80), so add or update the SSL virtual host or server block to include HTTPS.

Also, verify that the SSL certificate files are correctly placed on the server and that your server configuration points to the right certificate files. Any mismatch or typo can prevent HTTPS from working.

After making these changes, restart your web server to apply updates. Once done, try accessing your website with HTTPS again. It should now connect securely without issues.

If you still have trouble, review your browser’s error messages—they can often reveal what’s wrong, like a certificate mismatch or connection timeout. Sometimes, clearing your browser cache or trying a different network can help identify if the problem is local or server-side.

By following these steps, you can troubleshoot and fix your HTTPS connection problems on your EC2 instance. Ensuring your security group settings, certificate setup, and server configuration are correct will help you establish a secure and reliable connection.