cPanel is the browser-based control panel many hosting providers give you to manage website files, domains, email, databases, security, and other account services. Start by logging in over HTTPS, confirm which domain and document root you are working with, then set up your site, email, security, and backups. Your host controls which tools are available, so your screen may differ from the examples here.
What is cPanel?
cPanel is the main interface for a cPanel hosting account. It brings together tools for domains, email accounts, website content, SQL databases, and other web services. It does not provide hosting on its own: you need a hosting account and a cPanel login from your provider.
Some accounts use the current Meridian theme, which groups tools into six hubs: Websites, Email, Files, Databases, Security, and Performance. Meridian can also show a dashboard with account information and suggested actions, a guided setup flow, and a command palette for finding tools. Other accounts may use a different theme or have fewer features because providers decide which interfaces to enable.
How do I log in to cPanel?
- Open your provider’s cPanel login link, or enter your hosting domain or server IP followed by
:2083in a browser. Use HTTPS, for examplehttps://example.com:2083. - Sign in with the cPanel username and password supplied by your hosting provider. These may differ from your billing or website-admin credentials.
- If this is your first login, follow the Onboarding Assistant if it appears. It may offer options such as creating a WordPress site, using Sitejet Builder, restoring a backup, or exploring the account. What it offers depends on the host and account settings.
If you do not see the assistant, use the available navigation or search for a tool by name. In Meridian, start with the hub that matches your task; the command palette can help locate a workflow. If a documented tool is missing, ask your host whether it is enabled for your account.
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- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Where do I upload my website files?
Use File Manager to browse, upload, edit, or delete files on the server. The right destination is the document root for the domain you are publishing to; do not assume every domain uses the same folder. Check the domain’s configuration in cPanel or ask your provider if you are unsure which directory serves it.
- Open Files > File Manager, or search for File Manager.
- Navigate to the document root for the intended domain.
- Upload your site files and confirm that the main page file is in that directory, rather than nested in an unintended extra folder.
- Visit the domain in a browser to check that the expected site appears.
For a new site, cPanel may also provide Sitejet Builder or WP Toolkit. Sitejet is a visual site-building workflow; WP Toolkit is for installing and managing WordPress. Availability depends on the host, and the choice should reflect how you want to build and maintain the site.
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- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Before publishing with Sitejet
Sitejet publishes to the domain’s document root. If files already exist there, publishing can prompt you to confirm and may delete those files. Inspect or back up existing content before confirming; do not proceed until you know what will be replaced.
How do I create a cPanel email account?
- Open Email Accounts from the Email hub or find it using cPanel’s search.
- Choose the option to create an account, enter the mailbox name and password, and set any available storage limit.
- Complete the form and check that the new mailbox appears in the account list.
Email Accounts is also where you manage or delete account mailboxes. In Meridian, the Email area may summarize mailbox counts, storage, forwarders, and autoresponders. Creating the mailbox alone does not establish how a separate mail application should be configured; consult your host for its connection settings.
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- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
How do I install WordPress with cPanel?
If your account includes WP Toolkit, use it to install WordPress. Some onboarding assistants also offer WordPress creation. If those options are absent, cPanel documents a manual installation route, but the exact controls and availability depend on the host.
- Look for WP Toolkit in the Websites hub or use cPanel search. If available, choose the installation workflow and follow its prompts for the domain and site settings.
- If installing manually, follow cPanel’s WordPress installation instructions and use the database credentials created for the site.
- After installation, open the site and its administration area to verify that setup completed.
If WordPress reports a database connection error, check that the database name and password in wp-config.php match the credentials for the account’s database.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential:Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
How do I create a database?
Use the Databases hub or search for the database tools provided by your host. A site that uses MySQL or MariaDB needs a database and a database user with the required permissions; the names, permissions, and available database tools vary by account. For WordPress, follow the installation workflow or official instructions so the database details supplied to WordPress match the account.
Do not confuse a database backup with a full account backup: the scope and restore options differ. If you are unsure which database belongs to a site, verify its configuration before changing or deleting anything.
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- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
How do I enable SSL and HTTPS?
cPanel’s SSL/TLS Wizard can guide you through selecting domains and purchasing or installing certificates through the cPanel Store. Some providers configure AutoSSL with Let’s Encrypt instead. Which route appears depends on your hosting setup, so check the account’s certificate status or ask your host before buying a certificate.
- Open the SSL/TLS Wizard or the security area shown by your cPanel theme.
- Select the domain and follow the certificate options available in your account.
- After installation, test the site using its HTTPS address and check that the browser recognizes the connection as secure.
How do I back up my website in cPanel?
If your provider enables it, the Backup Wizard can create full or partial account backups and restore portions of an account from a partial backup file. Check the completion status and keep a copy somewhere outside the same hosting account so it remains available if that account becomes inaccessible.
| Backup type | What to know |
|---|---|
| Full backup | Covers the account as a full backup, but cPanel cannot automatically restore it. A full restore is a WHM function; contact your hosting provider for help. |
| Partial backup | Lets you select supported parts of the account and restore portions from a partial backup file within cPanel. |
The Backup Wizard may be absent if the provider has not enabled it. Backups can also fail when the account is near or over its storage quota, so check available space and confirm that the backup completed.
Which cPanel tools should I set up first?
A practical order is to verify the domain and its document root, create or publish the site, add the mailboxes you need, secure the domain with HTTPS, then create and verify a backup. For a new site, also confirm any database credentials used by its application. The exact sequence can change if you are migrating an existing site or restoring a backup.
- Existing site: identify its document root before uploading or changing files.
- New WordPress site: check whether WP Toolkit is available and keep its database details accurate.
- Existing files in a domain folder: inspect them before publishing a Sitejet design.
- Security and recovery: check certificate status and make sure a backup is complete and stored outside the account.
Why does my cPanel screen look different?
cPanel themes, account settings, and provider configurations affect which menus and workflows appear. Meridian’s hubs and dashboard are not guaranteed on every account, and onboarding options can vary. If a step here does not match your interface, search for the tool name or ask your hosting provider whether the feature is enabled and which domain paths or account settings apply.
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