Enabling SSH Access in cPanel

SSH (Secure Shell) provides command-line access to your cPanel hosting account. SSH is available on all our shared hosting plans via CloudLinux.

SSH Connection Details

Connecting via SSH

On macOS / Linux

Open Terminal and run:

ssh [email protected]

On Windows

Use PuTTY or Windows Terminal:

ssh [email protected]

Setting Up SSH Keys in cPanel

Step 1: Generate Keys in cPanel

1. Log in to cPanel
2. Go to Security > SSH Access
3. Click Manage SSH Keys
4. Click Generate a New Key
5. Set a key name and passphrase (or leave passphrase empty for passwordless login)
6. Choose RSA and 4096 bits
7. Click Generate Key

Step 2: Authorize the Public Key

1. In the SSH Keys list, find your new key
2. Click Manage next to the public key
3. Click Authorize

Step 3: Download the Private Key

1. Click View/Download next to the private key
2. Save the key file to your local machine (e.g., ~/.ssh/id_rsa_cpanel)
3. Set correct permissions:

chmod 600 ~/.ssh/id_rsa_cpanel

Step 4: Connect Using the Key

ssh -i ~/.ssh/id_rsa_cpanel [email protected]

Importing Existing SSH Keys

If you already have an SSH key pair:

1. Go to SSH Access > Manage SSH Keys > Import Key
2. Paste your public key content
3. Click Import
4. Click Manage > Authorize the imported key

Common SSH Commands for cPanel

# Navigate to your website
cd ~/public_html

# Check PHP version
php -v

# WordPress CLI
wp core version
wp plugin list
wp cache flush

# Check disk usage
du -sh ~/public_html

# Database operations
mysql -u dbuser -p dbname

# Composer
composer install
composer update

# Node.js
node -v
npm install

File Paths

Troubleshooting

Connection Refused

• Verify hostname and port 22
• Your IP may have been blocked — contact support
• Some ISPs block port 22 — try using a VPN

Permission Denied

• Verify credentials
• If using SSH keys, ensure the key is authorized in cPanel
• Check key file permissions (600)

Timeout

• Try a different network connection
• Verify the server hostname is correct

Related Articles

• Using the Terminal in cPanel
• cPanel Overview and Login

Need help? Contact our support team at {{SUPPORT_EMAIL}} or open a ticket at {{SUPPORT_URL}}.