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Troubleshooting Common Really Simple SSL Fatal Errors and Crashes

64 threads Sep 16, 2025 Plugin → Really simple security

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Really Simple SSL is a popular plugin for simplifying SSL implementation on WordPress sites. However, like any complex software, users can occasionally encounter errors that cause site crashes or 'critical error' messages. This guide compiles the most common fatal errors based on community reports and provides steps to diagnose and resolve them.

Common Fatal Errors and Their Causes

Based on numerous community reports, several patterns emerge for critical errors:

1. Call to Undefined Function Errors

These occur when the plugin attempts to use PHP functions that aren't available on your server:

  • stream_socket_client() - Missing from server PHP installation (Thread 1)
  • rsssl_version_compare() - Function missing, often after updates (Thread 5)
  • uses_elementor() - Typically in Pro version conflicts (Thread 7)
  • is_login() - Incompatibility with older WordPress versions (Thread 22)

2. Memory Exhaustion Errors

The plugin attempts to allocate excessive memory (Threads 2, 20):

  • "Allowed memory size of 1073741824 bytes exhausted"
  • "Out of memory (allocated 8388608) (tried to allocate 106496 bytes)"

3. Update and Installation Issues

Problems occurring during or after plugin updates (Threads 3, 19, 23):

  • Failed updates leaving plugin files corrupted or missing
  • Version incompatibilities with PHP or WordPress
  • Cron job failures during updates

4. Conflict Errors

Compatibility issues with other plugins (Threads 8, 13, 25):

  • Mixed content fixer interfering with Duplicator Pro installer files
  • HTTPS detection causing issues with Jetpack Backups
  • Password generation conflicts during updates

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

Step 1: Immediate Site Recovery

If your site is completely down:

  1. Access your site via FTP/SFTP or your hosting file manager
  2. Navigate to wp-content/plugins/
  3. Rename the "really-simple-ssl" folder to "really-simple-ssl-deactivated"
  4. This will automatically deactivate the plugin and restore site access

Step 2: Diagnose the Specific Error

Enable debugging to identify the exact error:

  1. Access your wp-config.php file via FTP
  2. Set the following values: 
    define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);
  3. Visit your site to trigger the error
  4. Check wp-content/debug.log for the specific error message and file location

Step 3: Apply Targeted Solutions

For undefined function errors:

  • Check if your PHP version meets the plugin requirements (PHP 7.4+)
  • Contact your hosting provider to ensure missing PHP functions (like stream_socket_client) are enabled
  • Update WordPress to the latest version if encountering is_login() errors (Thread 22)

For memory exhaustion errors:

  • Increase PHP memory limit in wp-config.php: define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
  • Check for conflicts with other plugins by testing with only Really Simple SSL active
  • Monitor which specific plugin function is causing the memory spike (Thread 2)

For update and installation issues:

  • Manually reinstall the plugin by deleting the folder and reinstalling fresh
  • Note: Your settings are stored in the database and will persist after reinstallation
  • Ensure your WordPress and PHP versions are compatible with the plugin version

For conflict errors:

  • Temporarily disable the mixed content fixer in Really Simple SSL settings if using Duplicator Pro
  • Check for plugin updates that might resolve known conflicts
  • Test with default themes (Twenty Twenty-One, Twenty Twenty-Three) to rule out theme conflicts

Step 4: Preventive Measures

  • Always backup your site before updating plugins
  • Maintain updated WordPress, PHP, and plugin versions
  • Test major updates on a staging site first
  • Monitor error logs regularly for early detection of issues

When to Seek Additional Help

If these steps don't resolve your issue:

  • Search the WordPress support forums for your specific error message
  • Provide detailed information including:
    • Full error message from debug.log
    • WordPress version
    • PHP version
    • Other active plugins
    • Theme name and version

Most critical errors with Really Simple SSL are resolvable through methodical troubleshooting. By identifying the specific error type and applying targeted solutions, you can typically restore functionality without losing your SSL settings or configuration.

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