Problem #

You see the following error while updating WHMCS using the Automatic Updater feature at Utilities > Update WHMCS:

    Error: failed to open stream: operation failed
    Failed to enable crypto
    error:14090086:SSL routines:SSL3_GET_SERVER_CERTIFICATE:certificate verify failed
    The "https://releases.whmcs.com/pkgs/whmcs-7.3.0-release.1.zip" file could not be downloaded: SSL operation failed with code 1. OpenSSL Error messages:
    [Composer\Downloader\TransportException]
    Downloading
    - Installing whmcs/whmcs (7.3.0)
    Updating dependencies
    https://releases.whmcs.com could not be fully loaded, package information was loaded from the local cache and may be out of date
    failed to open stream: operation failed
    Failed to enable crypto
    error:14090086:SSL routines:SSL3_GET_SERVER_CERTIFICATE:certificate verify failed
    The "https://releases.whmcs.com/packages.json" file could not be downloaded: SSL operation failed with code 1. OpenSSL Error messages:
    Loading composer repositories with package information

Cause #

This error message indicates that the application is unable to confirm the validity of the SSL certificate. There are two potential causes for this:

• The server’s CA bundle is outdated and does not contain the necessary information to validate the SSL certificate.
• An open_basedir restriction in PHP prevents the application from accessing the server’s CA bundle to perform the validation.

Solution #

Depending upon the underlying cause, the ideal solution is to either update the CA bundle or update the open_basedir settings in PHP to include the path to the CA bundle file in the server’s OS.

Both solutions may require help from your hosting provider or system administrator.

Workaround #

You may be able to work around this problem by disabling the open_basedir directive in the applicable php.ini file.

If you use a cPanel & WHM server, you can perform this change in cPanel at Home » Software » MultiPHP INI Editor.

Last modified: June 14, 2024