Fixing Nginx SSL Reverse Proxy Errors in Docker

Discover how to resolve Nginx SSL reverse proxy issues in Docker. Learn to configure your docker-compose and Nginx settings to ensure secure connections without errors.
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Introduction

If you're trying to set up an Nginx SSL reverse proxy in Docker and facing issues, you're not alone. Many developers encounter errors like curl: (35) error:0A000126:SSL routines::unexpected eof while reading when attempting to connect to their services securely with HTTPS. You might also see PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR in browsers like Firefox. In this guide, we will walk through this common problem and illustrate how to solve it efficiently.

Identifying the Issue

The Problem

When you set up Nginx as a reverse proxy with SSL in Docker, you may specifically encounter the following errors:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

In Firefox, the message PR_END_OF_FILE_ERROR appears.

This issue usually indicates a configuration problem rather than Docker or network issues.

Expected vs. Actual Behavior

You expect your Nginx proxy configuration to redirect HTTP requests to HTTPS and to serve your desired application from the specified backend correctly. However, the actual output isn’t matching these expectations, leading to confusion and frustration.

Solution Overview

Step-by-Step Fix

Step 1: Identify Your Docker Setup

Here is the original Docker configuration snippet:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 2: Check Nginx Configuration File

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 3: Update Nginx Configurations

Make sure the Nginx configurations are properly specified. For an SSL-enabled setup, a working configuration file should look something like this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 4: Test the Configuration

After making the changes, navigate to your Docker container terminal and run:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This command tests the Nginx configuration and checks for any syntax errors. If it returns successful, it means you're good to go!

Step 5: Restart Your Services

Finally, whenever you make adjustments to your Docker configurations or Nginx settings, you must restart the services. Use the following command:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This will ensure that Nginx is using the latest configuration with SSL settings in effect.

Conclusion

In summary, fixing SSL reverse proxy issues in Docker with Nginx often comes down to ensuring that your configuration files are correctly named and referenced. By following the steps outlined in this blog, you should be able to resolve the common errors and get your secure connections running smoothly. Always keep your Nginx configurations well organized, and remember to test them after making any changes.

If you're still encountering issues, feel free to reach out for further assistance or share your configurations, and we’ll be glad to help!