Hey there! Ready to move your website to a new server? Awesome! Knowing how to restore cPanel backup on a new server should come in handy.
Don’t worry, I’m here to help you through the process.
This guide will break down the steps in a simple, fun way, making it easy for anyone, whether you’re a tech pro or just starting out.
cPanel is a popular web hosting control panel that simplifies managing websites, databases, and email accounts.
However, transferring your data can seem daunting, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the steps.
This article will walk you through the necessary procedures to successfully restore your cPanel backup on a new server, ensuring your website is up and running smoothly in no time.
Let’s dive right in!
What is a cPanel Backup?
Alright, let’s dive into the world of cPanel backups!
Imagine having a magic button that saves all your website data in one place—that’s pretty much what a cPanel backup does.
It’s like having a safety net for your website, making sure all your files, databases, email accounts, and settings are safe and sound.
This comes in super handy if you ever face data loss or need to move to a new server.
There are two main types of cPanel backups you should know about: full backups and partial backups.
Full Backup: A full backup is like a superhero—it saves everything related to your cPanel account.
We’re talking about website files, databases, email accounts, and all the settings.
It bundles everything into a neat little package, usually as a compressed tarball file with a .tar.gz extension.
Full backups are your go-to for complete restoration, especially before making big changes or moving to a new server.
Partial Backup: Sometimes, you don’t need to save everything—just specific parts.
That’s where partial backups come in.
You can choose to back up just your MySQL databases, email forwarders, or filters.
It’s like picking and choosing what you want to save.
Partial backups are perfect when you need to restore specific components without touching the rest of your account.
Components of a cPanel Backup
Now, let’s break down what exactly gets saved in a cPanel backup:
Website Files: These are all the files in your home directory, including the public_html folder where your main website files live.
Databases: Your MySQL databases get backed up, ensuring all your data stays intact.
Email Accounts: This includes configurations for your email accounts, forwarders, and filters—essential for keeping your communication lines open.
Settings and Configurations: All the various settings related to your cPanel account, which can influence how your website runs and is managed.
Getting Ready to Restore Your Backup
Choosing the Right Backup File
First things first, you need to pick the right backup file to restore.
If you have multiple backups, go for the most recent one or the one that has the data you need.
Look for a file with a .tar.gz extension—this tells you it’s a compressed tarball file.
Checking Compatibility
Now, let’s make sure your new server can handle the backup.
Check these key things:
cPanel Version: Your new server should be running the same cPanel version as the one that created the backup. Different versions might not play nice together.
PHP Version: The PHP version on the new server needs to match the one used on the old server. You can find this info in the backup file’s metadata or by asking your hosting provider.
MySQL Version: Just like with PHP, the MySQL version on the new server should be compatible with the one from the original server.
Backup File Location
Before restoring, you’ll need to get the backup file onto the new server.
Here’s how you can do it:
1. Use an FTP or SFTP client to upload the backup file. This is great for smaller files.
2. If you have SSH access, use the scp command to securely copy the file from your computer to the server.
3. Many web hosts offer a file manager within cPanel or a similar control panel.
You can upload the backup file directly through this tool.
And that’s it! Your backup is ready and compatible for restoration.
Accessing Your New Server
Got your new server all set up? Awesome!
Let’s dive into how you can access cPanel on it with ease.
Follow these steps, and you’ll be good to go in no time.
Logging into cPanel on the New Server
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Open Your Web Browser: Fire up your favorite web browser.
2. Enter the cPanel URL:
For secure access, type in one of these URLs:
https://yourdomain.com/cpanel or https://yourdomain.com:2083
If you don’t have a domain set up yet, no worries! Use your server name like this:
https://servername:2083 or https://servername/cpanel
(Just swap “servername” with your actual server name.)
3. Enter Your Credentials: On the cPanel login page, punch in your cPanel username and password.
4. Access the Dashboard: Once you’re logged in, you’ll land on the cPanel dashboard.
Here, you can manage your website and restore your backup.
Server Requirements
Before jumping into the restoration of your cPanel backup, make sure your new server ticks off these essential boxes:
Operating System: Your server should be running a compatible version of Linux, like CentOS, CloudLinux, or Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
cPanel Version: The new server should have a cPanel version that’s compatible with your backup files.
Ideally, use the same or a newer version than the original server.
PHP and MySQL Versions: Ensure the PHP and MySQL versions on the new server match those used on the original server to prevent any hiccups.
Disk Space: Make sure there’s enough disk space on the new server to hold the backup files and any extra data that might pop up during the restoration process.
And that’s it! You’re all set to get started with your new server.
Uploading the Backup File to the New Server
We’ll use cPanel File Manager and FTP.
Using cPanel File Manager
Uploading your backup file through cPanel’s File Manager is easy.
Here’s how to do it:
Log into cPanel: First, log into your cPanel account as we covered earlier.
Navigate to File Manager: On the cPanel dashboard, find the File Manager icon in the “Files” section and click on it to open.
Select the Destination Folder: In File Manager, go to the directory where you want to upload your backup file.
A common spot is the /home/username/backups directory (replace “username” with your actual cPanel username). You can even create a new folder if you like.
Upload the Backup File:
Click the Upload button in the top menu.
In the upload window, drag and drop your backup file or click the Select File button to browse your computer and choose the backup file.
Once selected, the upload will start automatically. Watch the progress bar to see how it’s going.
Confirm Upload Completion: When the upload is done, you’ll get a confirmation message. Close the upload window and check that the backup file is in the directory you chose.
Using FTP
Prefer using FTP? No problem! Here’s how you can do it:
Download an FTP Client: If you don’t have one already, download and install an FTP client like FileZilla, WinSCP, or Cyberduck.
Open the FTP Client: Launch your chosen FTP client.
Connect to Your Server:
Enter the FTP server address (usually your domain or server IP).
Input your cPanel username and password.
Set the port to 21 (for FTP) or 22 (for SFTP).
Click Connect to establish a connection to your server.
Navigate to the Destination Folder: Once connected, go to the directory where you want to upload the backup file, such as /home/username/backups.
Upload the Backup File:
Find the backup file on your computer using the FTP client’s file browser.
Drag and drop the backup file into the chosen folder on the server, or right-click and select the upload option.
Verify Upload: After the upload is complete, check the server directory to make sure the backup file is there.
And that’s it! You’re all set to go. Easy peasy, right?
Restoring Files and Databases
Ready to get your website back up and running?
Let’s see how you restore your files and databases in cPanel on the new server.
Restoring Website Files
To bring back your website files using cPanel’s File Manager, follow these steps:
Log into cPanel: First, access your cPanel account just like you usually do.
Open File Manager: Click on the File Manager icon in the cPanel dashboard.
Navigate to the Backup Location: Head to the directory where your backup file is.
If it’s a .tar.gz file, go to that spot (e.g., /home/username/backups).
Extract the Backup File:
Find the .tar.gz backup file.
Right-click on it and choose Extract. This will unzip the file and create a folder with all your restored goodies.
Move the Files:
If needed, move the unzipped files to the right place, like public_html, where your website files live.
Just select the files, right-click, and choose Move.
Confirm Restoration: Double-check the public_html directory to make sure all your files are back where they belong.
Restoring Databases
To restore your cPanel databases back in action on the new server through phpMyAdmin on cPanel’s Backup Wizard, follow these steps:
Using phpMyAdmin
Log into cPanel: Get into your cPanel account.
Open phpMyAdmin: Find the phpMyAdmin icon in the Databases section and click it.
Select the Database: In phpMyAdmin, pick the database you want to restore from the left sidebar.
If it’s not there yet, you might need to create it first.
Import the Backup File:
Click on the Import tab at the top.
Click on Choose File and select your .sql backup file from your computer.
Hit Go to start the import.
Verify Restoration: After the import, check the database tables to make sure everything’s restored correctly.
Using cPanel’s Backup Wizard
Log into cPanel: Access your cPanel account.
Open Backup Wizard: Click on the Backup Wizard icon in the cPanel dashboard.
Select Restore Option: Click on Restore.
Choose MySQL Databases: On the next page, click MySQL Databases.
Upload Database Backup:
Choose the .sql file with your database backup from your computer.
Click Upload to restore it.
Add Database User: If needed, create a new user for the database and assign the right permissions.
Confirm Restoration: After everything’s done, check the database in phpMyAdmin to ensure the data’s all there and correct.
And that’s it! Your website and databases should be back up and running smoothly.
How to Restore and Configure Email Accounts
Now, lets set up and restore your email accounts from cPanel backup on to the new server?
Here’s how you do it:
Restoring Email Accounts
Alright, to get your email accounts back in action, follow these steps:
Log into cPanel: First things first, access your cPanel account.
Open Email Accounts: Find the Email Accounts icon in the Email section and click on it.
Create Email Accounts: If the email accounts aren’t there yet, create them by clicking on the Create button. Enter the details like username, password, and quota.
Restore Email Settings
Got a backup of your email settings? Great! Let’s restore those:
Forwarders: Click on the Forwarders icon to set up email forwarding.
Filters: Use the Email Filters tool to bring back any custom filters you had.
Autoresponders: Set up autoresponders using the Autoresponders tool.
Restore Email Backup
If you have a backup of your email messages, you can use a third-party email client like Thunderbird or Outlook to restore them.
Connect to your email account using IMAP or POP3, and import the email backup file.
Verifying Email Functionality
Now, let’s make sure everything is working smoothly:
Send Test Emails: Send test emails to and from the restored email accounts to check if they’re working fine.
Check Email Forwarding: Send a test email to the forwarding address to ensure it’s functioning as expected.
Test Email Filters: Send emails that should trigger your restored filters and see if they work correctly.
Check Autoresponders: Send an email to an account with an autoresponder enabled and verify the autoresponder message is sent in response.
Monitor Email Activity: Keep an eye on your email accounts for a while to ensure there are no issues with incoming or outgoing emails.
Conclusion
In summation, to restore a cPanel backup on a new server involves understanding backup types, choosing the right file, ensuring server compatibility, and uploading the backup.
You’ll need to log into cPanel, upload the backup via File Manager or FTP, restore files and databases using File Manager and phpMyAdmin, and configure email accounts on the new server.
Regular backups are crucial for preventing data loss and ensuring quick recovery from issues.
Mastering this process helps maintain your website’s integrity and minimizes downtime.
