super@nova:~$ sudo certbot --apache -v
Saving debug log to /var/log/letsencrypt/letsencrypt.log
Plugins selected: Authenticator apache, Installer apache
Which names would you like to activate HTTPS for?
We recommend selecting either all domains, or all domains in a VirtualHost/server block.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1: colbyjack.xyz
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Select the appropriate numbers separated by commas and/or spaces, or leave input
blank to select all options shown (Enter 'c' to cancel):
Requesting a certificate for colbyjack.xyz
Performing the following challenges:
http-01 challenge for colbyjack.xyz
Enabled Apache rewrite module
Waiting for verification...
Challenge failed for domain colbyjack.xyz
http-01 challenge for colbyjack.xyz
Certbot failed to authenticate some domains (authenticator: apache). The Certificate Authority reported these problems:
Domain: colbyjack.xyz
Type: unauthorized
Detail: 91.195.240.19: Invalid response from http://www.colbyjack.xyz/.well-known/acme-challenge/68jh2fTGK5jQTskd8o1WBc4xzUKRuDDNgM5W75A2ga4: 403
Hint: The Certificate Authority failed to verify the temporary Apache configuration changes made by Certbot. Ensure that the listed domains point to this Apache server and that it is accessible from the internet.
Cleaning up challenges
Some challenges have failed.
Ask for help or search for solutions at https://community.letsencrypt.org. See the logfile /var/log/letsencrypt/letsencrypt.log or re-run Certbot with -v for more details.
My web server is (include version):
Apache/2.4.58 (Ubuntu)
The operating system my web server runs on is (include version):
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS x86_64
My hosting provider, if applicable, is:
Self-Hosting
I can login to a root shell on my machine (yes or no, or I don't know):
Yes
I'm using a control panel to manage my site (no, or provide the name and version of the control panel):
No
The version of my client is (e.g. output of certbot --version or certbot-auto --version if you're using Certbot):
certbot 2.11.0 (snap package)
Your DNS is using the NameCheap URL redirect service. Please disabled that and set your DNS A record to the public IP for your Apache server. Also set AAAA record if you support IPv6
So, I looked back over my original message's prompts and I realize I accidentally lied because I misunderstood the question, I'm admittedly an absolute beginner at this kind of project.
In terms of "Are you working out of a control panel?" The answer is yes, I obviously got the domain from namecheap, but am not intending to use the tools provided there. Not knowing that namecheap has a dynamic DNS service, I set up my DDNS through Dynu, so I do have and intend to use the tools there.
In response to Bruce, I did clear out the CNAME record as well as the URL redirect settings from namecheap's side, and then added the A and AAAA IPv4/IPv6 records to the Dynu control panel. Now when I attempt to run sudo certbot --apache -v:
super@nova:~$
Saving debug log to /var/log/letsencrypt/letsencrypt.log
Plugins selected: Authenticator apache, Installer apache
Which names would you like to activate HTTPS for?
We recommend selecting either all domains, or all domains in a VirtualHost/server block.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1: colbyjack.xyz
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Select the appropriate numbers separated by commas and/or spaces, or leave input
blank to select all options shown (Enter 'c' to cancel):
Requesting a certificate for colbyjack.xyz
Performing the following challenges:
http-01 challenge for colbyjack.xyz
Enabled Apache rewrite module
Waiting for verification...
Challenge failed for domain colbyjack.xyz
http-01 challenge for colbyjack.xyz
Certbot failed to authenticate some domains (authenticator: apache). The Certificate Authority reported these problems:
Domain: colbyjack.xyz
Type: dns
Detail: no valid A records found for colbyjack.xyz; no valid AAAA records found for colbyjack.xyz
Hint: The Certificate Authority failed to verify the temporary Apache configuration changes made by Certbot. Ensure that the listed domains point to this Apache server and that it is accessible from the internet.
Cleaning up challenges
Some challenges have failed.
Ask for help or search for solutions at https://community.letsencrypt.org. See the logfile /var/log/letsencrypt/letsencrypt.log or re-run Certbot with -v for more details.
You also need to set the NS records at your registrar (NameCheap) to be the ones for Dynu. Their docs are not the clearest for using custom domain names but you should review this page. Contact their support if you need more help setting that up.
The key part of that page is
To avail our dynamic DNS service, you must list one or more Dynu name servers for your domain name. If you registered your domain name( yourodomain.com ) with Dynu, Dynu name servers are already listed for your domain name. If your domain is with some other registrar, you need to change the name servers at your current registrar.
Sorry, I don't think I quite understand. I understand that I need to add name server listings on namecheap's side to connect to Dynu, and I believe I'm looking at the correct option to input the name server, but I can't find a clear answer elsewhere as to what to input there.
I believe I should take the nameservers listed on Dynu's end:
(I'd include a picture of Dynu's nameserver records here but I'm still a new user)
Perhaps so. Use a site like https://unboundtest.com to see what the public DNS says your A and AAAA records are. Then compare those to what you think they should be. This is not related specifically to Let's Encrypt. Anyone trying to reach your server from the public internet needs those to be correct. Any problems with this are best directed to dynu support. I see both A and AAAA record values.
Once you know those are correct you need to ensure your server processes incoming requests properly. A test site like https://letsdebug.net is excellent for that. Right now it cannot connect to your server with IPv4 (A) or IPv6 (AAAA). Check your router's NAT or port forwarding, any firewall settings on it or your server and any other network config. Make sure your ISP allows incoming connections on port 80. Again, this affects anyone trying to connect to you not just Let's Encrypt. For the HTTP Challenge you need to reply to HTTP (port 80) requests properly.
It is best to test from the public internet rather than from a device on your local network. Use a mobile phone with wifi disabled if you must to use the carrier network. Or, use Let's Debug until you get an "OK" result.
