How to Fix Mixed Content
Use this page when the Mixed Content Checker finds HTTP asset references on HTTPS pages.
What This Means
Mixed content is usually a cleanup problem left behind after HTTPS migration, theme changes, or CDN rewrites. The safest fix order is to remove active-content issues first because they carry the highest security impact, then work through passive assets and stale hardcoded references.
| Asset type | What to verify | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Scripts | Any HTTP script or injected third-party asset | Active mixed content can directly weaken execution trust. |
| Stylesheets | Hardcoded HTTP CSS or font loads | These still degrade browser security and consistency. |
| Images and media | Passive HTTP assets after migration | Lower risk than scripts, but still noisy and trust-reducing. |
| Generated content | CMS, theme, or build-time asset URLs | These often keep reintroducing the same problem. |
Common Causes
Patterns worth checking first
- Incomplete migration: Templates or CMS content still reference old HTTP asset URLs.
- Third-party dependencies: A vendor script or widget still loads insecure subresources.
- Rewrite gaps: CDN or proxy rules did not normalize every asset path consistently.
How To Confirm It Safely
Confirmation steps
- Identify whether the issue affects scripts, styles, images, or generated content.
- Check whether the insecure URL is hardcoded, CMS-managed, or third-party controlled.
- Confirm whether the asset is still needed before rewriting it.
- Capture the public page path where the issue is observed for rerun validation.
Fix Workflow
- Remove active mixed content first. Prioritize scripts and other high-risk assets before passive content cleanup.
- Replace stale URLs at the source. Fix templates, CMS content, or build logic so the issue does not reappear.
- Update or remove third-party dependencies. Require HTTPS-only asset loading from external providers.
- Retest the public page. Confirm the insecure references are gone from the live HTTPS response.
Implementation Examples
Protocol-safe asset replacement
https://cdn.example.com/app.jsRollout Risks
Quick search-and-replace can miss CMS or generated asset sources
The visible page is often assembled from multiple content sources.
- Fix the generator, not only the output.
- Retest the rendered public page after each change.
Third-party assets can regress after vendor updates
A provider may still serve or reference insecure resources later.
- Review vendor documentation.
- Monitor high-risk pages after the initial cleanup.
Validation Checklist
Post-fix validation
- Active mixed-content issues are removed from public HTTPS pages.
- Passive insecure assets are reduced or eliminated where practical.
- The source of the insecure reference was fixed, not only the symptom.
- The Mixed Content Checker confirms the cleaner asset profile.
FAQ
Are images as urgent as scripts?
Usually no. Active content carries higher direct risk than passive media.
- Prioritize scripts and styles first.
- Still clean up passive assets for trust and consistency.
Can a CDN rewrite solve everything?
It can help, but stale source references often still need cleanup.
- Use rewrites as support, not the only fix.
- Correct the template or content source too.