Question

Sub domain Lets-Encrypt challenge failed

Hi. Brand new to DO. I just installed NextCloud in my first droplet using a self signed SSL cert on the server IP address. All works as expected. :)

Now, I have added a sub domain on my (external to DO) web hosting company (VentraIP) and set the A record there to point to the DO IP address. It works fine, resolving to the DO Nextcloud server instance as above.

So… now I want to use Lets-Encrypt to make it secure. When I follow the instructions to setup the SSL

sudo nextcloud.enable-https lets-encrypt

I get the error:

Domain: cloud.mydomain.com.au Type: unauthorized Detail: During secondary validation: Invalid response from http://cloud.mydomain.com.au/.well-known/acme-challenge/8jH3_HtiUcMwEn1yJ9nQQ21TON6tApEBmw-44h3unas

(where cloud.mydomain.com.au == my real subdomain name)

The subdomain is listed in the Trusted Domains.
The firewall port is openned.

What have I missed, do you think? Thanks, Murray


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Bobby Iliev
Site Moderator
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July 10, 2021
Accepted Answer

Hi there,

Right after the Invalid response from line, do you get any other output? Usually, right after that line, there should be a more detailed message with the exact response and reason why Let’s Encrypt is failing to validate the domain name.

In most cases, it is due to the A record of the domain not matching the server IP address.

Regards, Bobby

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