HTTPS Pages Leads to HTTP Page: Causes and Fixes

When HTTPS pages lead to HTTP pages, it creates security vulnerabilities, affects SEO rankings, and disrupts user trust. This issue, known as mixed content, occurs when a secure page contains elements—links, images, scripts, or stylesheets—loaded over HTTP instead of HTTPS. Search engines penalise websites with mixed content, and modern browsers may block or warn users about unsecured elements.

Why HTTPS Pages Lead to HTTP Pages

• Hardcoded HTTP Links: Some websites still have absolute HTTP links embedded in the code. If a site was originally on HTTP and later migrated to HTTPS, these outdated links could lead to mixed content warnings.

• Incorrect Redirects: Misconfigured redirects can unintentionally redirect HTTPS pages to HTTP pages. If your server is not set up correctly, pages may fall back to HTTP, reducing security.
• External Resources on HTTP: If a page loads images, scripts, stylesheets, or third-party assets over HTTP, browsers may display warnings or block them entirely. This can break page functionality and cause trust issues.

• Misconfigured CMS or Plugins: Some content management systems (CMS) or plugins may default to HTTP, leading to inconsistent behaviour across a website.

How to Fix HTTPS Pages Lead to HTTP Page

When HTTPS pages lead to HTTP pages, it creates security risks, affects user trust, and lowers SEO rankings. If links on HTTPS pages lead to an HTTP page, browsers may display “Not Secure” warnings, driving visitors away. Fixing these issues ensures a safer, fully optimised website.

Update Internal Links

One of the most common reasons HTTPS pages lead to HTTP is outdated internal links. Some internal links may still point to HTTP, even after switching to HTTPS, causing security warnings and SEO issues.

How to Fix It:

• Check all pages, menus, and buttons for links still using HTTP.
• Update internal links in your content management system (CMS) or database.
• Use SEO tools or a site crawler to detect and fix outdated links.

Pro Tip: A bulk search-and-replace tool can speed up the process if your site has many pages.

Set Up Proper Redirects

If visitors or search engines can still access your site’s HTTP version, they may land on outdated pages instead of secure ones. Redirecting all HTTP traffic to HTTPS prevents this issue.

Pro Tip: If redirects aren’t working correctly, clear your site cache and test again.

Use Content Security Policy (CSP)

A Content Security Policy (CSP) helps prevent mixed content issues by ensuring all site resources load securely. Blocking insecure elements prevents situations where links on HTTPS pages lead to HTTP pages.

Pro Tip: Some website platforms offer security settings that help enforce HTTPS for all resources.

Fix Mixed Content Warnings

If links on HTTPS pages lead to an HTTP page, your site may be loading images, scripts, or stylesheets from non-secure sources. Browsers flag this as “mixed content,” which can cause broken elements or security alerts.

Check Plugin and Theme Compatibility

Some website themes or plugins may contain outdated code that forces HTTP links, causing HTTPS pages to lead to HTTP pages. This is common in older themes or third-party plugins not updated for HTTPS compatibility.

Pro Tip: If a specific plugin is causing the issue, check its documentation or contact support for an HTTPS-compatible solution.

Final Thoughts

If HTTPS pages lead to HTTP pages, this can compromise security, damage SEO rankings, and reduce user trust. Fixing these issues requires updating internal links, implementing proper redirects, enforcing a Content Security Policy (CSP), resolving mixed content errors, and ensuring plugin/theme compatibility.

A secure website protects user data and enhances SEO and search engine visibility. Addressing these issues ensures a seamless and trustworthy browsing experience for your visitors.

Need expert assistance? Seek Social offers professional SEO and security solutions to keep your website fully optimised and secure. Contact us today for a free site audit!

[Free Site Audit]