How to safely disable SSL Zen CDN plugin

Deactivating a CDN plugin from your website requires careful steps to ensure that the transition is smooth and does not affect your website's accessibility or security. Here's a guide on how to safely disable the SSL Zen CDN plugin.

Before proceeding with the deactivation of the SSL Zen plugin, it’s crucial to confirm a few details to prevent any disruption to your website's operation:

Step 1: Identifying Your Hosting Server's IP Address

Before making DNS changes, determine the IP address of your web hosting server.

For most hosting providers:

Log into your hosting account and navigate to the 'Manage Hosting' area.

Look for a section labeled 'Server Details,' 'Account Information,' or 'Server Information.'

Your server's IP address will usually be listed here.

For GoDaddy:

Click on 'Web Hosting,' then 'Manage.'

You'll find the IP address in the 'Server' section or under the 'Settings' tab.

For Bluehost:

Log into your Bluehost control panel.

Click on 'Advanced,' then look under the 'Server Information' section.

Your server's IP address will be listed there.

For SiteGround:

Access your SiteGround User Area.

Go to 'My Accounts' and then 'Information & Settings.'

The IP address will be displayed under 'Server Information.'

For HostGator:

Log into the HostGator cPanel.

Scroll down to the 'General Information' section on the right side.

Find the 'Shared IP Address' or 'Dedicated IP Address' listed there.

Once you have identified your server's IP address, note it down as you will need it to update your A record.

Step 2: Verify and Update the IPv4 A Record

Ensure your site's A record points to your web host, not to StackPath.

Visit https://www.whatsmydns.net/, enter your domain name (for example: sslzen.com), and select 'A' from the dropdown.

Example: If you see the A record for your domain showing '151.139.128.10', it’s pointing to StackPath. You’ll need to change this to the IP address you found in Step 1.

To update the A record, log into your domain registrar’s DNS settings page and edit the A record to reflect your hosting server's IP address.

Step 3: Update the CNAME Record for the WWW Subdomain

The CNAME for 'www' should direct visitors to your domain, not to StackPath's CDN.

Using the same DNS check at https://www.whatsmydns.net/, check the current CNAME for your website (for example: www.sslzen.com). If it’s something like 'y9z6u2s1.stackpathcdn.com', you'll need to update it.

Example: In your DNS settings, change the CNAME for 'www' from something like 'y9z6u2s1.stackpathcdn.com' to your domain name (for example: sslzen.com).

This update is done in the DNS settings where you manage your domain records.

Step 4: Final Verification and Deactivation of SSL Zen CDN Plugin

After you have updated the A and CNAME records, it's a waiting game for the DNS changes to propagate across the internet. This process, during which the updated information spreads to all the DNS servers worldwide, can take up to 48 hours.

Immediate Check (0 Hours):

Right after updating the DNS records, you can immediately check whatsmydns.net again.

For 'sslzen.com', you might still see the A record pointing to '151.139.128.10' and the CNAME for 'www.sslzen.com' showing 'y9z6u2s1.stackpathcdn.com' because the changes have not yet propagated.

Check After a Few Hours (12 Hours):

After half a day, use whatsmydns.net once more.

You may start seeing some locations displaying the new IP address for the A record, '192.0.2.123', and the 'www' CNAME pointing directly to 'sslzen.com'.

This is a good sign, indicating that propagation is underway.

Final Check (48 Hours):

After 48 hours, it's time for the final check.

The A record for 'sslzen.com' should consistently show the new IP across all checked locations, and the CNAME for 'www.sslzen.com' should reliably return 'sslzen.com'.

If the propagation is complete, all checks should reflect your hosting server's IP and your domain, not StackPath's.

Deactivating the SSL Zen CDN Plugin:

Once you've verified that the DNS changes have fully propagated:

Log into your WordPress admin dashboard.

Navigate to the 'Plugins' section.

Locate the SSL Zen CDN plugin.

Click 'Deactivate.' Depending on your setup, you may also want to select 'Delete' to remove the plugin files completely.

Post-Deactivation Check:

After deactivating the plugin, browse your website to ensure that it's loading correctly.

Clear your website's cache, if applicable, and also clear your browser cache to ensure you're seeing the current version of your site.