Restoring a backup lets you recover from a hacked site, a bad update, or accidental deletion. cPanel offers a few ways to restore, depending on what you need to recover.
Before You Restore
- Identify exactly what you need: full account, files only, a database, or email.
- Note the date you want to restore to.
- If the site is hacked, take a copy of the current state first for reference.
Restoring Files or a Database
- Log in to cPanel.
- Open Backup in the Files section.
- Under Restore, choose the type: Home Directory, MySQL Database, or Email Forwarders.
- Upload the relevant backup file you previously downloaded, or select a server-side restore point if available.
- Confirm and wait for the restore to complete.
Using JetBackup
If your plan includes JetBackup, open it from cPanel to browse automatic restore points by date. You can restore:
- The full account.
- Individual files or folders.
- A single database.
- Specific email accounts.
This is the easiest option because it does not require you to have downloaded a backup beforehand.
Restoring a Full Account
Restoring an entire account overwrites current files and databases. Only do this when you are sure, as recent changes since the backup date will be lost.
After Restoring
- Test the site thoroughly.
- Clear your cache and your browser cache.
- Update any passwords if the restore followed a security incident.
If you do not see a backup for the date you need, contact support through the /contact page; retention depends on your plan and we can advise what is available.