If you’re looking to restore your WordPress site or move it to a new server, knowing how to upload a WordPress backup in cPanel is super handy.
Backing up your website is a must-do to protect all your content, settings, and media files from unexpected troubles like server crashes, hacking attempts, or accidental deletions.
Lucky for us, cPanel has a user-friendly interface that makes managing your website files a breeze.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to upload your WordPress backup files in cPanel with ease, ensuring a smooth and stress-free restoration process.
Whether you’re a pro developer or just starting out, this guide will help you keep your online presence safe and sound.
Let’s dive in!
WordPress Backups
Let’s talk about something super important for your WordPress website: backups!
Imagine if all your hard work just vanished one day.
Scary, right? That’s why backups are your best friends.
They save copies of your website’s files and database so everything is safe and sound, even if things go wrong, like a server crash, a hacker attack, or a simple mistake.
Components of a WordPress Backup
First up, let’s break down what exactly gets backed up:
Database: This is like the brain of your website. It stores all your posts, comments, and settings.
If something happens to it, you could lose all your written content and site configurations.
Files: These are the building blocks of your site and include:
1. Core WordPress files: The essential files that make WordPress work.
2. wp-content folder: Holds your themes, plugins, and media uploads.
3. Configuration files: Key files that tell your site how to operate.
Types of Backups
Now, there are a few different kinds of backups you can do:
Full Backups: These grab everything—every file, every database entry.
It’s like a snapshot of your entire site at that moment.
Incremental Backups: These only save the changes made since your last backup, so they’re quicker and use less storage.
Differential Backups: These save everything that’s changed since your last full backup.
It’s a middle ground between full and incremental backups.
Importance of Recent Backups
Why are recent backups so important?
Well, if you’re about to update your theme, add a new plugin, or move to a different host, having a fresh backup can quickly go back to the way things were if something goes wrong.
Regular backups are like a safety net for your website, making sure all your hard work stays protected no matter what happens.
So, make sure to keep those backups up-to-date!
Preparing for the WordPress Backup Upload in cPanel
Alright, let’s get things rolling! First up, we need to choose the right backup file.
WordPress backups usually come in two flavors:
Zip files: These handy little guys are compressed archives with all your website files and database packed inside. They end in .zip.
Tarballs: Known as .tar.gz files, are similar to zip files but use a different compression method. They also contain your whole site in one neat package.
Make sure your backup includes both your WordPress files (in the wp-content folder) and your database.
This backup should be the only copy you have, so keep it safe on your local device.
Uploading the Backup File
Alright, let’s get that backup file uploaded!
Whether you’re using the File Manager or an FTP/SFTP client, I’ll guide you through both methods in a fun, easy-to-follow way.
Using File Manager
Steps to Locate and Open the File Manager
1. Log in to cPanel: Enter your credentials and get into your cPanel dashboard.
2. Find File Manager: Look for the File Manager icon in the Files section of your dashboard and click on it to open.
How to Upload the Backup File to the Appropriate Directory
1. Navigate to the Correct Directory: Head to the public_html folder (or wherever your WordPress is installed).
2. Upload the Backup File:
Click the Upload button in the top menu.
In the upload window, either click Select File or simply drag and drop your backup file (ZIP or TAR.GZ) from your computer.
Watch the progress bar to see when the upload is complete.
3. Verify the Upload: Once the upload is done, check the public_html folder to make sure your backup file is there.
Using FTP/SFTP
Brief Explanation of FTP/SFTP
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) are ways to transfer files between your computer and a web server.
SFTP is more secure because it encrypts the data during transfer, making it a favorite for many.
How to Upload Using an FTP Client (e.g., FileZilla)
1. Download and Install FileZilla: If you don’t have it yet, grab FileZilla from the official website and install it.
2. Open FileZilla: Launch the application.
3. Connect to Your Server:
Enter your FTP credentials (host, username, password, and port) at the top. Usually, the host is your domain name or IP address, and the port is 21 for FTP or 22 for SFTP.
Click Quickconnect to establish the connection.
4. Navigate to the Correct Directory:
In the right pane (remote site), go to the public_html folder (or the directory where your WordPress is installed).
5. Upload the Backup File:
In the left pane (local site), find your backup file on your computer.
Drag and drop the backup file from the left pane to the right pane to start the upload.
6. Verify the Upload: Once the WordPress backup upload is finished, check the right pane to confirm that your backup file is in the right directory in cPanel.
With your backup file successfully uploaded, you’re all set to extract it and restore your WordPress site.
Restoring the Backup
Let’s get into the easy steps to restore your site by extracting the backup and restoring the database.
Extracting the Backup
Access File Manager: First things first, log in to your cPanel account and open the File Manager.
Navigate to Your Backup File: Head over to the public_html folder (or the folder where you uploaded your backup file).
Extract the Backup:
Right-click on the backup file (ZIP or TAR.GZ) and select “Extract” from the menu.
A dialog box will pop up asking where to extract the files.
Make sure the destination is the correct directory (usually the same directory where the backup file is located).
Click “Extract File(s)” to start the extraction process.
Check Extracted Files: After extraction, you’ll see a new folder with all your website files. Open this folder and make sure it includes:
The wp-content folder (with your themes, plugins, and uploads).
The core WordPress files (like wp-config.php, index.php, etc.).
Confirm File Integrity: Double-check that all necessary files are there and that there were no errors during extraction.
If something’s missing or went wrong, re-upload the backup file and try extracting it again.
Restoring the Database
Access phpMyAdmin: In your cPanel dashboard, find the phpMyAdmin icon in the Databases section and click on it.
Select Your Database: In the left sidebar of phpMyAdmin, choose the database linked to your WordPress site.
If you’re not sure which one it is, check the wp-config.php file in your WordPress directory for the database name.
Import Tab: With your database selected, click on the “Import” tab in the top menu.
Choose File: Hit the “Choose File” button and pick the SQL file from your backup that holds your database data.
Start Import: After selecting the file, click the “Go” button at the bottom of the page to kick off the import process.
Check for Success Messages: Once the import is done, phpMyAdmin will show a success message.
If there are any errors, they’ll be listed, and you might need to troubleshoot based on those errors.
Verify Database Tables: In the left sidebar, expand your database to see the list of tables.
Make sure all expected tables (like wp_posts, wp_users, etc.) are there and filled with data.
Test Your Site: Finally, visit your website to ensure everything is working perfectly.
Look out for any missing content, broken links, or other issues that might have popped up during the restoration.
Updating Configuration Files
After you upload and restore your WordPress backup in cPanel, there’s a little housekeeping to do.
Let’s make sure your configuration files are all set and your file permissions are just right for keeping your site secure and running smoothly.
Updating wp-config.php
The wp-config.php file is like the brain of your WordPress site – it holds crucial info, like your database connection details.
If you’ve moved your site or changed your database, you might need to tweak this file.
Locate wp-config.php:
In your cPanel File Manager, head to the root directory of your WordPress installation (usually it’s public_html).
Find the wp-config.php file, right-click on it, and select Edit.
Check Database Credentials:
Look for these lines in the wp-config.php file:
Make sure the values for DB_NAME, DB_USER, and DB_PASSWORD match your database credentials.
If you’ve set up a new database or changed the username/password, update these fields.
Save Changes:
After making any necessary changes, hit Save Changes in the editor to lock in your updates.
Checking File Permissions
Setting the right file permissions is a must for the security and functionality of your WordPress site.
Wrong permissions can open doors for security issues or cause your site to act up.
Navigate to File Manager:
In cPanel, open the File Manager and go to your WordPress installation directory.
Check Directory Permissions:
Right-click on the wp-content, wp-admin, and wp-includes directories, and select Change Permissions.
The recommended permissions for directories are usually 755 (read and execute for everyone, write for the owner).
Check File Permissions:
For files, right-click on the wp-config.php file and any other files in your WordPress directory.
The recommended permissions for files are typically 644 (read and write for the owner, read for everyone else).
Apply Changes:
Adjust the permissions as needed and click Change Permissions to apply your settings.
Verify Permissions:
After making changes, double-check that the permissions are correctly set.
You can also use an FTP client to verify permissions if you prefer that method.
And that’s it! You’ve now ensured your configuration files and permissions are all good to go.
Your WordPress site should be safe and sound.
Testing the Restored Site
So, you’ve restored your WordPress site from a backup—awesome!
But hold on, we’re not done yet.
We need to make sure everything is working perfectly.
How to Verify That the Site Loads Correctly
Open Your Web Browser.
Pop your domain name into the address bar and hit Enter.
Watch as your site loads up. You should see your homepage without any hiccups and be able to navigate through different pages.
Head to your WordPress admin area by adding /wp-admin to your URL (like www.yourdomain.com/wp-admin).
Log in with your credentials to check the backend.
Browse through different sections of your site—posts, pages, media.
Keep an eye out for any missing images or content.
Use tools like the Broken Link Checker plugin or online services to scan for broken links.
Manually check key pages to ensure all links work.
Test forms, comments, and any interactive features to make sure they are working properly.
Ensure all plugins and themes are active and functioning.
If any settings were lost, you might need to reconfigure them.
Clearing Caches
To make sure you’re seeing the latest version of your site, it’s essential to clear both browser and server caches.
Clearing Browser Cache:
Google Chrome: Click the three dots in the upper right corner > More Tools > Clear Browsing Data.
Select “Cached images and files” and click Clear Data.
Firefox: Click the three horizontal lines in the upper right corner > Options > Privacy & Security.
Under “Cookies and Site Data,” click Clear Data and select “Cached Web Content.”
Safari: Go to Safari > Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data. Click Remove All to clear cached data.
Clearing Server Cache:
If you’re using a caching plugin (like W3 Total Cache or WP Super Cache), go to the plugin settings in your WordPress dashboard and find the option to clear or purge the cache.
If your hosting provider has server-side caching (like Varnish or NGINX caching), you may need to clear the cache through your hosting control panel or contact support for help.
Verify Changes: After clearing the caches, refresh your website in the browser to see the latest version.
Make sure all changes and updates are reflected correctly.
Conclusion
And those are the key steps to upload a WordPress backup using cPanel.
You should as well be able to restore your site easily.
If you found this helpful, please share and leave your thoughts or questions in the comments!
