How to Back Up and Restore a WordPress Website in cPanel Print

A complete WordPress backup needs both your website files and the WordPress database. Restoring only one leaves a broken site.

What to back up

• Files: WordPress root (often public_html), including wp-content.
• Database: the MySQL database named in wp-config.php.

Back up with cPanel tools

1. Log in to cPanel.
2. Use Backup, Backup Wizard, or JetBackup 5 if shown on your plan.
3. Download a home-directory archive and a database backup, or use JetBackup restore points when available.
4. Label downloads with the date and time. Match file and database backups from the same moment when possible.

Back up files manually

1. Open File Manager.
2. Select the WordPress directory → Compress → download the archive.

Back up the database with phpMyAdmin

1. Open phpMyAdmin in cPanel.
2. Select the WordPress database.
3. Click Export → Quick or Custom → SQL format → Go.

For general MySQL export concepts, see MySQL backup basics.

Store backups off-server

Keep copies on your computer or secure cloud storage. Pakish backup availability and retention depend on your plan — maintain your own copies for important sites.

Restore safely

1. Restore the database first or follow your migration tool instructions.
2. Upload and extract WordPress files to the correct directory.
3. Update wp-config.php database credentials only if the database name, user, or password changed.
4. Clear caches and test /wp-admin/ and the homepage.

Troubleshooting after restore

• White screen: check PHP version and error logs.
• Login loops: verify site URL settings and HTTPS — HTTPS help.

If restore fails after a hack or partial upload, submit a ticket with your domain and whether you have both file and SQL backups ready.