How to Enable HTTP/2 on Your Server 

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HTTP/2 is the upgraded version of the Hypertext Transfer Protocol. It enables faster, more efficient communication between browsers and servers by allowing multiple files to load at once through a single connection. 

But to benefit from it, your server must be properly configured. Whether you’re running Apache or NGINX, here’s how to enable HTTP/2 step by step. 

What Is HTTP/2 

HTTP/2 is a new upgrade from HTTP/1.1. It introduces multiplexing, which lets browsers load several files simultaneously over a single connection. This reduces latency and makes your site feel faster and smoother. 

Keep in mind: HTTP/2 only works over HTTPS, so make sure your domain already has a valid SSL certificate installed before proceeding. 

Enabling HTTP/2 on Apache 

If you’re running Apache version 2.4.17 or newer, it only takes a few steps. 

  1. Activate the required modules: 
sudo a2enmod http2 
sudo a2enmod ssl 
  1. Edit your SSL configuration file: 

Open the configuration file for your site, typically located in: 

/etc/apache2/sites-available/ 

Within the <VirtualHost *:443> block, add: 

Protocols h2 http/1.1 
  1. Restart Apache: 
sudo systemctl restart apache2 

Once restarted, your Apache server will start communicating over HTTP/2. 

Enabling HTTP/2 on NGINX 

For NGINX version 1.9.5 or newer (compiled with OpenSSL), the setup is equally simple. 

  1. Modify your SSL server block: 

Locate your SSL configuration and modify the listen directive to include HTTP/2: 

listen 443 ssl http2; 
  1. Test your configuration: 

Before reloading, test your configuration to avoid syntax errors: 

sudo nginx -t 
  1. Reload NGINX: 

If everything looks fine, reload NGINX: 

sudo systemctl reload nginx 

Your NGINX server now supports HTTP/2 connections. 

How to Check If HTTP/2 Is Working 

Once configured, verify that HTTP/2 is active. You can: 

  • Open your browser’s Network tab and inspect the protocol column. 
  • Or use this simple command: 

curl -I –http2 https://yourdomain.com 

If the response includes HTTP/2 200, congratulations – it’s working perfectly. 

Quick Tips for Smooth Setup 

  • Enable SSL first: HTTP/2 only functions over HTTPS. 
  • Use Let’s Encrypt: It’s a reliable and free SSL option. 
  • Test after changes: Always verify configurations before restarting services. 

Performance Optimization 

To push your performance even further, consider pairing HTTP/2 with Contabo Object Storage or LiteSpeed. Both enhance resource efficiency and improve website responsiveness under heavy load. 

Watch Our Video on Enabling HTTP/2 

If you prefer a visual walk-through, you can see the exact setup process for both Apache and NGINX in action – from configuration to verification on our YouTube. 

Final Assessment 

Enabling HTTP/2 is one of the simplest yet most impactful upgrades you can make for your website. With just a few configuration changes, your server becomes faster, more secure, and ready for modern web standards. 

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