Solving the 5 Most Common cPanel Issues Every User Faces
Are you battling with your website on cPanel? You’re not alone. Discover the top common cPanel issues that can disrupt your website’s performance.
Cpanel web hosting offers a user-friendly and efficient control panel for managing websites. But, like any web hosting service, it can come with its own set of challenges.
Don’t let these technical hurdles slow you down. In this article, we will explain the common problems that may arise in Cpanel web hosting and their solutions for a smooth website management experience.
What is cPanel?
cPanel is a popular web hosting control panel that provides a graphical interface and automation tools designed to simplify the process of hosting a website. It allows users to manage their web hosting accounts and perform various administrative tasks easily.
The control panel is a good choice for beginners looking for a straightforward control panel solution. It offers key features and functionalities like
- Website Management.
- Database Management.
- Email Management.
- One-Click Software Installation.
- Cron Jobs.
- Backup, Restore and Security Features.
Can cPanel Be Hacked?
Yes, like any software, cPanel can be hacked if it is not properly secured and kept up to date with the latest security patches.
According to cPanel Support, “The most common way that websites get hacked or defaced is from insecure plugins, themes or components in various CMS software (such as WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, etc…)”.
Yet, cPanel includes a range of security features and tools that can help protect your account and website from hacking attempts. It’s also important to stay informed about the latest security threats and security practices.
5 Most Common cPanel Issues With Solutions
A. Email Deliverability Issues:
#Step 1. Check DNS Records
Ensure your DNS records are correctly configured. Key records to verify include:
- SPF (Sender Policy Framework): Helps verify that the sender is authorized to send emails from your domain.
- DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): Adds a digital signature to your emails to verify the sender’s identity.
- DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance): Provides instructions on how to handle emails that fail SPF or DKIM checks.
Steps to Add/Verify DNS Records:
- Log in to your cPanel account.
- Go to the Zone Editor or DNS Zone Editor.
- Add or verify SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for your domain.
#Step 2. Check Email Authentication
Ensure that email authentication methods are enabled:
- In cPanel, go to the Email section.
- Click on Email Deliverability.
- Review the status of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. If any issues, cPanel will provide suggestions to fix them.
#Step 3. Track Email Reputation
Use tools like MXToolbox to check your domain’s email reputation and identify any issues.
#Step 4. Proper Email Content
Ensure that your email content complies with best practices to avoid being flagged as spam:
- Avoid excessive use of links and images.
- Avoid spammy words and phrases.
- Personalize the email content.
#Step 5. Check Mail Logs
Review the mail logs for any error messages or clues about deliverability issues:
- In cPanel, go to the Email section.
- Click on Track Delivery to view the email logs.
#Step 6. Set Up a PTR Record
A PTR record (Reverse DNS) maps an IP address to a domain name, which is essential for email deliverability.
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Contact your hosting provider to set up a PTR record.
#Step 7. Use a Professional Email Service
Consider using a professional email service like Amazon SES, SendGrid, or Mailgun for sending bulk emails. These services have robust infrastructure and high deliverability rates.
#Step 8. Check Mail Queue
Ensure there are no stuck or failed emails in the mail queue:
- In cPanel, go to the Email section.
- Click on Mail Queue Manager to review and manage the email queue.
#Step 9. Configure SMTP Restrictions
Restrict SMTP access to authorized users only to prevent unauthorized sending of emails.
- In cPanel, go to the Security section.
- Click on SMTP Restrictions and enable it.
#Step 10. Test Email Deliverability
Use online tools like Mail-Tester or SendForensics to test the deliverability of your emails and get actionable insights.
Following these steps, you can address and resolve email deliverability issues in cPanel, ensuring your emails reach their intended recipients.
B. cPanel Keeps Logging Out
This is mostly due to the change in the IP address of your network. The best fix is to use an Internet Service Provider with a stable IP address or a VPN with your current ISP.
Some effective VPN services include:
- Windscribe
- Nord VPN
C. Slow Website Performance
The following steps will enhance your website’s performance and provide a better user experience.
- Optimize Database: Use phpMyAdmin to optimize tables, index properly, and clean up unnecessary data.
- Compress Files and Images: Use cPanel’s Image Manager to compress images and minify CSS/JavaScript files. Enable gzip compression.
- Leverage Caching: Install browser and server-side caching (e.g., WP Super Cache for WordPress).
- Use a CDN: Put in place a CDN like Cloudflare to distribute content and reduce latency.
- Optimize Server Resources: Ensure your hosting plan has adequate resources, track usage, and limit simultaneous connections.
- Enable Lazy Loading: Load images and videos only when they come into the viewport.
- Reduce HTTP Requests: Combine CSS/JavaScript files and use CSS sprites.
- Optimize .htaccess: Set expiration headers, enable caching, and compress files.
- Update Software: Keep your CMS, themes, and plugins updated.
- Analyze Performance: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to identify and fix issues
D. SSL Certificate Problems
1. Verify Installation
- Go to cPanel > SSL/TLS > Manage SSL Sites. Ensure the SSL certificate is being installed for the correct domain.
- Reinstall if necessary by uploading the CRT, Private Key, and CA Bundle files.
2. Check DNS Configuration
- Ensure the domain’s A record points to the correct IP address.
- Allow up to 48 hours for DNS changes to propagate.
3. Renew Expired Certificates
- Renew expired certificates via your SSL provider or cPanel.
- Enable AutoSSL in cPanel > SSL/TLS Status for automatic renewal.
4. Fix Mixed Content
- Identify non-HTTPS resources using browser tools or online services.
- Update URLs to HTTPS in your website’s code and database.
5. Ensure Correct Certificate Type
- Use the appropriate certificate for your domain (wildcard or multi-domain if needed).
6. Check Server Configuration
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Ensure Apache is being configured correctly to use the SSL certificate.
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Rebuild Apache config via WHM if necessary.
7. Run AutoSSL
- Go to SSL/TLS Status in cPanel and click “Run AutoSSL” to install a free SSL certificate.
8. Complete Certificate Chain
- Ensure intermediate certificates are included in the installation.
9. Disable Conflicting Plugins
- Temporarily disable any plugins that might conflict with SSL, such as security or caching plugins.
Follow this simple Step-by-Step guide to fix any SSL issue within your website.
E. DNS Configuration Errors
Fixing DNS configuration errors in cPanel involves a few key steps:
1. Verify DNS Records
- Login to cPanel: Access your cPanel account.
- DNS Zone Editor: Go to “Domains” > “Zone Editor” and review DNS records (A, CNAME, MX, TXT).
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A Record: Ensure it points to the correct IP.
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MX Record: Verify it points to the correct mail server.
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TTL Values: Set appropriate TTL values.
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2. Check Nameserver Settings
- Correct Nameservers: Ensure your domain uses the correct nameservers provided by your hosting provider.
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Update at Registrar: Login to your domain registrar and update nameservers if necessary.
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3. Wait for Propagation
- DNS Propagation: Changes can take up to 48 hours. Use tools like whatsmydns.net to check propagation status.
4. Diagnose with DNS Tools
- Online Tools: Use tools like MXToolbox or IntoDNS for diagnostics.
- Check Logs: Look at DNS-related logs in cPanel.
5. Contact Support
- Host Support: If issues persist, contact your hosting provider.
- Registrar Support: If necessary, contact your domain registrar.
By following these steps, you can resolve most DNS configuration errors in cPanel.
Can I Use cPanel for Free
cPanel itself is not free.
Yet, When you buy hosting from Gitservers, cPanel is often included at no extra cost. Other ways you can use cPanel without purchasing a license include cPanel Free Trial.
cPanel offers a free trial for new users. This allows you to test out the control panel and its features before committing to a sale.
Conclusion
In conclusion, addressing the most common cPanel issues can greatly enhance your web hosting experience, ensuring your website runs smoothly and efficiently.
By understanding and troubleshooting email deliverability problems, DNS configuration errors, website downtime, and other frequent challenges, you can maintain optimal performance and security for your online presence.
Remember to put in place best practices such as regular updates, strong passwords, and proper backup procedures to prevent issues from arising.
With these solutions in hand, you’ll be well-equipped to handle any cPanel issues that come your way, allowing you to focus on growing and managing your website with confidence.