If you’re encountering the error “WordPress could not establish a secure connection to WordPress.org” on your Site Health screen, accompanied by a cURL error 60 stating “SSL certificate problem: self-signed certificate,” there are several steps you can take to resolve this issue.
1. Check SSL Certificate
The error suggests a problem with the SSL certificate. Ensure that your SSL certificate is valid and properly configured. If you’re using a self-signed certificate, consider obtaining a valid SSL certificate from a trusted certificate authority.
2. Verify Hosts File
Check your system’s hosts file to ensure there are no incorrect entries related to WordPress.org. Open the hosts file on your server and remove any lines associating WordPress.org with the local IP address (127.0.0.1).
3. DNS Resolution
Verify the DNS resolution for api.wordpress.org. The ping command you provided seems to be pointing to the localhost (127.0.0.1), which could be a misconfiguration. Correct the DNS resolution to point to the actual WordPress.org servers.
4. Firewall and Security Plugins
Review your server’s firewall settings and any security plugins you have installed. Ensure that they are not blocking the connection to WordPress.org. Whitelist the necessary IP addresses and domains.
5. Update WordPress Core
Ensure that your WordPress core, themes, and plugins are up-to-date. Outdated versions may lead to connection issues. You can manually download and update WordPress from the official website if needed.
6. Verify Server Configuration
Check your server configuration for any restrictions or limitations that might prevent communication with external servers. Consult your hosting provider or server administrator if necessary.
7. Review Debug Information
The warning in the admin panel mentions an unexpected error in update.php. Review the debug information to identify any specific error codes or messages that can provide insights into the root cause of the problem.
8. Revisit Troubleshooting Steps
If you’ve followed the steps mentioned in the link you provided (https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-fix-secure-connection-error-in-wordpress/), revisit them to ensure that no steps were missed. Sometimes a combination of solutions may be required.
9. Seek Professional Assistance
If the issue persists after trying the above steps, consider seeking assistance from your hosting provider or a professional WordPress developer. They can perform a thorough investigation and provide tailored solutions.
By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the secure connection error with WordPress.org and restore normal communication between your WordPress site and the WordPress servers.
Remember to back up your site before making any significant changes to ensure that you can revert to a previous state if needed.