How to Back Up and Restore Your Website Using cPanel
Introduction
Your website is your digital storefront—and like any important asset, it needs regular backups. Whether you’re a blogger, business owner, or developer, backing up your website ensures that your data is safe from threats like:
- Server crashes
- Hacking attempts
- Software updates gone wrong
- Accidental deletions
If you’re using cPanel, you’re in luck. cPanel offers built-in tools that make backing up and restoring websites simple and efficient.
In this guide from Vicservers, we’ll walk you through:
- Why backups are important
- Different types of backups
- How to back up your website via cPanel
- How to restore it when needed
- Pro tips to automate and secure your backups
Let’s get started.
Why Backups Matter
Imagine spending months building a website—then losing it all due to a server error or malicious attack. Without a backup, you’re left starting from scratch.
Backups serve as your safety net. They allow you to:
- Recover lost or corrupted files
- Undo faulty updates or changes
- Protect against malware or ransomware
- Migrate to a new host or server easily
If your business depends on your website, daily or weekly backups should be a core part of your strategy.
Types of Backups in cPanel
Before diving into the process, let’s review the types of backups available.
1. Full Backup
A complete snapshot of your entire cPanel account, including:
- Files
- Databases
- Email accounts
- DNS settings
Ideal for:
- Moving to another hosting provider
- Major changes to your site or server
Note: You can’t restore full backups from within cPanel (you’ll need your host to do it—Vicservers can help).
2. Partial Backup
Includes specific areas:
- Home directory (site files)
- MySQL databases
- Email forwarders and filters
Ideal for:
- Quick restorations
- Saving only what you need
- Smaller, regular backups
How to Back Up Your Website Using cPanel
Let’s break it down step-by-step.
Step 1: Log into cPanel
Visit:
yourdomain.com/cpanel
Enter your credentials provided by Vicservers.
Step 2: Locate the Backup Tool
In the FILES section, click on:
🔄 Backup or Backup Wizard
We’ll explain both.
Option 1: Using Backup Wizard (Recommended for Beginners)
- Click Backup Wizard
- Click Backup
- Choose:
- Full Backup
- Partial Backup (Home Directory, MySQL Databases, Email)
- For Full Backup:
- Choose Backup Destination: Home Directory or Remote FTP
- Enter email address for completion notification
- Click Generate Backup
- Wait for the process to complete (can take minutes to hours)
Option 2: Manual Backup via “Backup”
- Click Backup
- Under Full Backup, click Download a Full Website Backup
- Choose Backup Destination (usually “Home Directory”)
- Start the backup
- Download the backup file once it’s ready (usually named like
backup-6.24.2025.tar.gz)
For partial backups, download:
- Home Directory
- MySQL Databases (each DB separately)
- Email Forwarders & Filters
Downloading and Storing Your Backup
Once generated, your backup will appear in your home directory or be available for direct download. It’s a good idea to:
- Download it to your local machine
- Upload to a cloud drive (Google Drive, Dropbox)
- Store on an external hard drive
Never rely solely on server backups—store multiple copies in different locations.
How to Restore a Website Using cPanel
Accidents happen. Here’s how to get your site back online fast.
Step 1: Log into cPanel
Use your domain login:
yourdomain.com/cpanel
Step 2: Open Backup or Backup Wizard
Choose one:
- Backup Wizard: Easy 3-step process
- Backup: More flexible
Step 3: Choose What to Restore
With Backup Wizard:
- Click Restore
- Choose what you want to restore:
- Home Directory
- MySQL Database
- Email Forwarders/Filters
- Upload the respective
.gzor.sqlbackup file
With Backup:
- Scroll to “Restore a Home Directory Backup”
- Choose the backup file from your device
- Repeat the same for MySQL or Email backups if needed
Important Notes:
- Full backups cannot be restored via cPanel. Contact Vicservers support to restore a full backup.
- For database restores, ensure your database user has the correct permissions.
- Always verify that the restoration was successful by visiting your website.
Pro Tips for Effective Backup Management
✅ Schedule Regular Backups
You can automate backups using cron jobs or third-party tools like:
- JetBackup (if available in cPanel)
- Acronis
- BackupBuddy (WordPress)
If you’re using WordPress, plugins like UpdraftPlus and Duplicator make backups seamless.
✅ Keep Multiple Versions
Never overwrite your previous backup. Keep at least:
- One recent backup (1–3 days old)
- One weekly backup
- One monthly backup
✅ Use Offsite Storage
Store your backups in different places to avoid total loss:
- External drive
- Cloud storage
- Remote FTP server
Vicservers Tip: Use Amazon S3 or Google Drive for automated offsite backups.
✅ Test Your Backups
A backup is only as good as its ability to restore. Periodically:
- Download and extract your backup
- Restore it on a staging site
- Verify database and file integrity
Common Backup & Restore Errors (and Fixes)
| Issue | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Backup file is too large | Exceeds hosting limit | Download in parts; upgrade plan |
| Restore fails at 50% | Corrupted archive | Re-download or re-create backup |
| DB restore shows errors | Incompatible or damaged SQL file | Check MySQL version or format |
| Can’t restore full backup | cPanel limitation | Contact Vicservers support |
Why Choose Vicservers for Secure Backups?
At Vicservers, we take your data seriously. Our hosting plans include:
- Automated weekly backups
- Full and incremental options
- Free restoration support
- cPanel with Backup Wizard
- 24/7 technical assistance
We even offer remote backup storage plans to keep your data secure offsite.
Final Thoughts
Website backups are not optional—they’re essential. Whether you’re a business owner or a developer, taking control of your site’s data protection is a smart investment in stability and peace of mind.
With cPanel and Vicservers, backing up and restoring your website is as easy as a few clicks.
✅ Next Steps
Want to ensure your site is always protected?
👉 Visit www.vicservers.com to choose a hosting plan with built-in backup tools and expert support.
Need help setting up automated backups?
Contact our team—we’ll walk you through it.
Vicservers – Powering Secure and Reliable Web Hosting for You
