If you need to restore your website from a full backup (for example, after a hack, data loss, or migration), the restore process must be performed by your hosting administrator through WHM. cPanel users cannot restore full backups themselves, but you can request a restore from support.

Step 1: Upload the Backup File

If your backup is not already on the server:

  1. Log in to cPanel.
  2. Open File Manager.
  3. Navigate to your Home Directory (above public_html).
  4. Upload the backup file (.tar.gz) using the Upload button or FTP.
  5. The file should be in /home/username/.

Step 2: Request the Restore

  1. Submit a support ticket requesting a full backup restore.
  2. Include:
    • The exact filename of the backup (e.g., backup-2026-04-03.tar.gz)
    • Your cPanel username
    • Whether you want a full restore (replaces everything) or a selective restore (only specific parts)
  3. Our support team will restore the backup via WHM.

Step 3: Partial Restores (What You Can Do Yourself)

You can restore certain items without contacting support:

Restore a Database

  1. Go to Backup Wizard → Restore.
  2. Select MySQL Databases.
  3. Choose the database and click Restore.

Restore Email Forwarders and Filters

  1. Go to Backup Wizard → Restore.
  2. Select Email Forwarders or Email Filters.
  3. Choose the item and click Restore.

Important Notes

  • A full restore will overwrite all current data — files, emails, databases, and settings. Any changes made since the backup will be lost.
  • Download the backup file to your computer before requesting a restore, as an extra safety copy.
  • Restores typically take 15-60 minutes depending on account size.
  • If you are restoring after a hack, ensure you have identified and fixed the vulnerability before restoring — otherwise the site may be compromised again.

Troubleshooting

  • "The backup file is corrupted": The file may not have downloaded completely. Verify the file size matches what you expect. Try re-downloading from the original source.
  • "Backup file not found" when requesting restore: Ensure the backup is in your home directory (/home/username/), not inside public_html. Check the exact filename — it is case-sensitive.
  • Need to restore to a different cPanel account: This requires WHM access. Contact support with both the source and target account details.
  • Only want to restore specific files: Extract the .tar.gz on your computer, then upload individual files via File Manager or FTP. This is safer than a full restore.
  • Restored backup but website still shows old content: Clear your browser cache, and check if a CDN or Cloudflare is caching the old version. Also verify the correct files are in public_html.

Need help? Contact our support team.

Was this answer helpful? 0 Users Found This Useful (0 Votes)

Most Popular Articles

How to change File permission in cPanel

Overview File and folder permissions control who can read, write, or execute files on your...
Changing your MX Records to use Google Apps in cPanel

To use Google Workspace (formerly Google Apps) for your domain email, you need to change your...
Deny access from a specific IP address

If you need to block a specific IP address from accessing your website, cPanel provides several...
How to Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) in cPanel

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your cPanel account. After...
How to Create a Full Website Backup in cPanel

A full website backup includes all your files, emails, databases, and settings. Creating regular...