.htaccess RewriteRule HTTPS mod causing 404 errors

[dweeda]

I installed an SSL Certificate, then edited my .htaccess file:

  # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  # 9. If you only want to allow HTTPS, uncomment the RewriteCond and RewriteRule lines below.
  # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
  RewriteRule (.*) https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

by uncommenting out the Rewrite lines.

Now I get 404 error pages when I try go to any .../processwire-master/<pagename>/

This includes my admin page at .../processwire-master/processwire/, so i can't get into my admin.

What else do I need to do?

[gebeer]

Did you set the RewriteBase in the .htaccess?

[dweeda]

I did not.  Right now they are commented out:

  # RewriteBase /
  # RewriteBase /pw/
  # RewriteBase /~user/
 

 

[gebeer]

Then try this:
RewriteBase /

 

If it is not working, try this:

RewriteBase /processwire-master/

[dweeda]

Neither worked.

Symptom: Home page loads with https, but no child pages or admin page - get 404

All pages loaded fine before SSL Cert installed.  Hmm.

[dweeda]

HELP

[gebeer]

Sorry, I have no idea what else could cause this. Maybe someone else can jump in? 

[Klenkes]

I know this may sound strange, but when it comes to https and redirects browsers become very "cachehappy"!

When running into problems with this I use the browsers incognito/private mode, have to empty cache, restart browser, use different browser, use a VPN, and so on.

Tiresome sometimes...

[dweeda]

If not an .htaccess setting, maybe something down in the /wire/ directory affecting the paths to templates and admin page?? 

[dweeda]

I installed an SSL Certificate, then edited my .htaccess file:

  # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  # 9. If you only want to allow HTTPS, uncomment the RewriteCond and RewriteRule lines below.
  # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
  RewriteRule (.*) https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

by uncommenting out the Rewrite lines.

The main site loads as https, but now I get 404 error pages when I try go to any subpage: .../processwire-master/<pagename>/

This includes my admin page at .../processwire-master/processwire/, so i can't get into my admin.

After this, in .htaccess I  uncommented out   RewriteBase /   and   RewriteBase /processwire-master/

still not working...

[Macrura]

Could be browser cache?

[dweeda]

I haved heard this: 

"I know this may sound strange, but when it comes to https and redirects browsers become very "cachehappy"!

When running into problems with this I use the browsers incognito/private mode, have to empty cache, restart browser, use different browser, use a VPN, and so on.

Tiresome sometimes..."

Hmm.  Does this mean only I continue to see this problem?  External site visitors would be OK?

What can I do to solve this?  Even if only for me...  THX

[dragan]

I would try to delete everything inside site/assets/cache/

I would also try to update to the latest version. See if you can use the new https config features described here in the 2nd chapter: https://processwire.com/blog/posts/pw-3.0.99/

 

[dweeda]

Well, there are a lot of folders and files in the /cache/ folder.  I am reluctant to remove them all.  Are there specific files you might have in mind? Or is it truly safe to clear the /cache/ folder?

I am running the latest ver.

[dweeda]

Is there a way to bump this up the PW chain?  I am dead in the water with my production site.  The https config features of the latest ver help with ports to non-https dev sites, not the other way around.

Thank you to any and all!

[Macrura]

who is the host?

do u have force www?

[dweeda]

Host:  https://laughingsquid.com/

not sure if I have force www.  How can I find out?

[kongondo]

@dweeda,

Moderator Note

Multithreading is not allowed. Please, do not open different topics regarding the same issue. Keep it in one place. I have merged your other thread with this one.

[dweeda]

My hosting firm says their Apache server is configured correctly. They believe this is a CMS/Framework issue.

I have tried many different .htaccess settings with no effect. 

One theory is that the PW /cache/ folder is the problem and needs to be emptied. But I'm concerned about making things worse with a broad stroke like that. Something more surgical would be better. Yes? No?

Note, all pages were accessible and the site was up and running before I switched to HTTPS. After, only the top domain URL loads. This includes the admin page.

 

[Gary Austin]

Over the past few weeks I had two new Processwire sites I switched to https using SSL certs from Letsencrypt.  

I had to deal with numerous settings and things with Linux, Apache and my DNS settings (running on a Linode), but at the actual "processwire level" all I had to do was change .htaccess

  # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  # 9. If you only want to allow HTTPS, uncomment the RewriteCond and RewriteRule lines below.
  # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
  RewriteRule (.*) https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

So i can confirm just changing those two lines is sufficient and all pages work.

Not much else I can offer, other than you need to look elsewhere for issues than just those two lines in .htaccess

Edited April 24, 2018 by Gary Austin

[dweeda]

Yah, I've basically ruled out .htaccess. But there is something preventing the proper resolution to the correct https URL.  I thought it might be something about templates, but the admin page fails too. So - idk... 

I really need to figure this out soon though.

 

[cstevensjr]

Documentation from your hosting provider:

https://laughingsquid.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000987574-Is-there-a-way-to-force-all-traffic-to-redirect-to-SSL-

https://laughingsquid.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000969273-How-do-you-get-started-with-an-SSL-certificate-

https://laughingsquid.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000987534-What-is-the-difference-between-SHA256-and-SHA-256-FULL-CHAIN-

https://laughingsquid.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000987254-How-do-you-use-SSL-with-a-domain-on-Cloud-Sites-

I would also suggest you open a support ticket with your hosting provider, if you continue to have problems with getting HTTPS to work on their hosting system.

[dragan]

On 22.4.2018 at 5:11 PM, dweeda said:

is it truly safe to clear the /cache/ folder?

Yes and no. Don't delete the site/cache/ folder, but everything inside that folder.

btw, I see your site is showing up fine now. It would be nice to tell us what you or your hosting company finally did to make it work (you know, for other users running into the same problem)

[dweeda]

Well, I have not solved this yet. Unfortunately.

I clicked a host link provided by cstevensjr and modified my .htaccess file appropriately.  No fix.

I also cleared my PW cache folder as per dragan.  But, no fix.

At this point I have tested and made changes for both my host and PW with no effect.  Each is pointing the other way now - so, not unusual    Is there a tool my host could use to track what's going on in order to determine the missing and/or problematic link/setting?

Thx to all.

[Gary Austin]

If you have not googled "404 only home page working processwire" there are many threads discussing various issues, most involve .htaccess not working and sites in subdirectories.