Creating and downloading a full cPanel account backup

Check available disk space and avoid starting several backup jobs together. The archive may contain databases, mail and sensitive configuration, so protect it like a copy of the website itself. A full backup normally needs provider or WHM access for a complete account restoration.

1. Open Backup and select Download a Full Account Backup, or use Backup Wizard > Back Up > Full Backup.
2. Choose Home Directory as the destination and enter an email address you can still receive mail at if this hosting service has a problem.
3. Start Generate Backup and allow the job to finish. Do not treat an archive that is still growing as a completed backup.
4. Return to the backup download list and download the completed archive to secure storage. Record the date, account and domains included.
5. After verifying your independent copy, remove unnecessary server-side copies using the appropriate file or backup controls so they do not consume the account quota.

Check that the file opens as an archive and contains plausible website and database components. A readable archive is useful evidence, but an authorised test restoration is a stronger recovery check.

Quota exhaustion can prevent the archive being created. Free safe disposable data or ask support about an alternative export. Do not upload a full account archive into a live public website folder to restore it; ask for the supported full-account restoration procedure.

• Sending a cPanel account backup to remote storage
• Downloading cPanel website, database and email configuration backups
• Restoring a partial cPanel backup safely
• Why does a cPanel backup fail when the account is almost full?

• cPanel documentation