Fix the HTTP redirect chain on Apache

Why it matters

Requests to http:// never reach a page, so visitors who type the bare domain or follow an old link get an error. One permanent redirect from http to the https address fixes it.

The fix

1. If the site is behind Cloudflare or another CDN that connects to this server over plain http (Cloudflare Flexible mode), this redirect loops. Switch the CDN to Full (strict) first, or redirect at the CDN instead (Always Use HTTPS).
2. Make the *:80 virtual host contain only the redirect below and remove conflicting rules from .htaccess, then reload Apache.

<VirtualHost *:80>
    ServerName example.com
    Redirect permanent / https://example.com/
</VirtualHost>

The examples use example.com. Replace it with your own domain.

Read the documentation ↗(opens in a new tab)

Related

• Reported by the HTTP to HTTPS redirect check
• Serve the site over HTTPS
• Stop redirecting HTTPS to HTTP
• Redirect HTTP to HTTPS
• Fix the broken HTTPS redirect chain
• Shorten the redirect chain
• Redirect HTTP straight to HTTPS
• Answer HTTP with a redirect to HTTPS
• Redirect www and apex to one host
• Make the www or apex name work over HTTPS