cPanel Backups: Create, Download and Restore a Full Backup

A backup is the one thing that can rescue your website after a hacking attempt, a bad plugin update or an accidental deletion. cPanel includes built-in tools to create, download and restore backups, and it is worth learning them before you actually need them. In this guide you will learn the difference between full and partial backups, how to use the Backup and Backup Wizard tools, and how restores work.

Types of backups in cPanel

cPanel offers two kinds of backups, and it is important to understand the difference because they are restored in different ways.

Backup type	What it contains	File format	Can you restore it yourself in cPanel?
Full Account Backup	Everything: files, databases, email accounts and messages, DNS zones, settings	.tar.gz	No, it is normally restored by your host from WHM
Home Directory	All files in your home folder, including websites and mail data stored there	.tar.gz	Yes
MySQL Database	One database at a time	.sql.gz	Yes
Email Forwarders and Filters	Forwarder and filter rules for a domain	Small text-based files	Yes

A full backup is best for moving to a new server or keeping a complete archive. Partial backups are best for quick, everyday restores, for example rolling back one database.

How to create a full account backup

1. Log in to cPanel and open Backup in the Files section.
2. Under Full Backup, click Download a Full Account Backup.
3. Choose a Backup Destination. Home Directory saves the file in your account. You can also choose Remote FTP Server, Remote FTP Server (passive mode transfer) or Secure Copy (SCP) to send it directly to another server.
4. Choose whether to receive an email when the backup is ready, and enter your email address.
5. Click Generate Backup.

Generation can take anywhere from a few minutes to much longer for big accounts. When it is ready, the file appears under Backups Available for Download with a name like backup-10.21.2026_14-30-05_cpuser.tar.gz. Click it to download it to your computer.

Tip: A full backup saved to your home directory counts towards your disk space. After downloading it, delete the copy from the server using File Manager, otherwise you may run out of space.

How to create partial backups

On the same Backup page, under Partial Backups, you will find three options:

• Download a Home Directory Backup: click the Home Directory button to download all your files as one archive.
• Download a MySQL Database Backup: click the name of any database to download it. For a WordPress site, check wp-config.php to see which database it uses.
• Download Email Forwarders and Download Email Filters: click the domain name to download its rules.

Partial backups download straight to your computer, so they do not use any server disk space.

Using the Backup Wizard

The Backup Wizard, also in the Files section, does the same jobs as the Backup page but guides you one step at a time. Many beginners find it easier.

To back up with the wizard

1. Open Backup Wizard and click Back Up.
2. Choose Full Backup or one of the partial options: Home Directory, MySQL Databases or Email Forwarders & Filters.
3. Follow the prompts. For a full backup you choose the destination and email, as described above. For partial backups you click the item to download it.

To restore with the wizard

1. Open Backup Wizard and click Restore.
2. Choose the type: Home Directory, MySQL Databases or Email Forwarders & Filters.
3. Click Choose File, select the backup file from your computer and click Upload.

How to restore a backup

Restoring partial backups from the Backup page

1. Open Backup and scroll to the restore section on the right.
2. To restore files, use Restore a Home Directory Backup: choose your .tar.gz file and click Upload. Files in the backup will overwrite files with the same name.
3. To restore a database, use Restore a MySQL Database Backup: choose the .sql.gz file and click Upload. The database is restored with the same name it had when it was backed up.
4. For forwarders and filters, use the matching restore boxes.

A database restore overwrites the current data, so any posts, orders or comments added after the backup will be lost. If in doubt, take a fresh backup of the current state first.

Restoring a full account backup

cPanel itself does not offer a button to restore a full account backup. A full backup is restored by the server administrator using WHM (the Restore a Full Backup/cpmove File feature) or by your new host during a migration. If you need a full restore, upload the file to your home directory or provide a download link, and open a support ticket with your host. Alternatively, you can extract the archive on your computer and restore the home directory and databases piece by piece.

JetBackup and other host-provided backup tools

Many hosting companies add their own backup system to cPanel. A popular one is JetBackup, which often appears as its own section in cPanel. With such tools the host takes automatic backups on a schedule, often stored on a separate server, and you can usually:

• Browse available restore points by date.
• Restore individual files, databases, email accounts or the full account with a few clicks.
• Download a backup to your computer.

How long backups are kept and how often they run depends on your host’s plan, so check their documentation. Even with automatic backups, keeping your own copy is wise.

Tips for a reliable backup routine

• Follow the 3-2-1 idea: keep three copies of your data, on two different types of storage, with one copy off-site, for example on your computer and in cloud storage.
• Back up before changes: always take a backup before updating WordPress, plugins or themes, or before editing code.
• Match frequency to activity: a busy online store may need daily database backups, while a small brochure site might be fine with weekly backups.
• Test your backups: once in a while, extract an archive on your computer and check that the files and databases open correctly.
• Label and store securely: backups contain passwords and customer data, so keep them in a private, protected location.

Common problems and fixes

• Full backup never finishes or fails: the account may be close to its disk quota. Free up space and try again, or ask your host.
• Upload fails during restore: large files may hit browser or upload limits. Upload the file to the server by FTP first and ask support to restore it.
• Database restore gives an error: make sure you upload the .sql.gz file from the Backup page, not a ZIP. For other formats, use phpMyAdmin’s Import tab.
• Backup option missing: some hosts disable the cPanel Backup tools and provide JetBackup or another system instead.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I back up my website?

It depends on how often content changes. Weekly is a reasonable minimum for most small sites, and daily for e-commerce or busy blogs.

Does my host already back up my site?

Many do, but policies differ and are not always guaranteed. Always keep your own backups as well.

Can I schedule automatic backups in cPanel?

The standard Backup tool is manual. Automatic schedules usually come from your host’s system, such as JetBackup, or from a WordPress plugin such as UpdraftPlus.

Are my emails included in a backup?

A full account backup includes email accounts and messages. A home directory backup includes mail stored in your home folder, while forwarders and filters have their own backup.

Conclusion

cPanel makes backups simple: the Backup page for full and partial archives, the Backup Wizard for guided steps, and host tools such as JetBackup for scheduled restore points. Create backups regularly, keep a copy off the server, and practise restoring once so you are calm and ready if something ever goes wrong.