cPanel hosting passwords protect access to your hosting control panel, email accounts, FTP accounts, databases and website files. You may need to change a password when it has been forgotten, shared with someone who no longer needs access, or suspected of being compromised.
This article explains how to change the main cPanel password, email account passwords and FTP account passwords. It also explains other related credentials, password requirements and what to check after a password change.
Important: Apexhost does not provide traditional IMAP or POP email hosting for new services. If your cPanel service includes email accounts, those accounts are managed in cPanel and their passwords can still be changed there.
What passwords can be changed in cPanel?
Depending on your hosting configuration, you may be able to manage the following credentials:
* The main cPanel account password
* Individual email account passwords for accounts hosted in cPanel
* FTP account passwords
* MySQL or MariaDB database user passwords
* Some application credentials through tools provided by the application
These passwords are normally separate. Changing your cPanel password does not automatically change your email, FTP, database or website application passwords.
Before you begin
Make sure you have:
* Access to the Apexhost Client Area or cPanel
* Permission to manage the relevant hosting service
* The cPanel username, email address or FTP username you want to update
* A new password that meets the requirements described below
* Access to any email programs, FTP clients, websites or scripts that may have the old password saved
Password requirements and recommendations
Use a different password for every account. At a minimum, a new password should:
* Be at least 12 characters long
* Include uppercase and lowercase letters
* Include at least one number
* Include at least one special character
* Avoid names, domain names, business names, common words and predictable patterns
* Not be reused on another website or service
Longer passwords or passphrases are generally more secure. You can create a password yourself or use pwpush.com/p/new to generate one. Store the new password in a reputable password manager where possible.
Do not send passwords in ordinary email or place them in publicly accessible documents. If a password has been exposed, change it immediately and update every service that used it.
How to change your cPanel password
Change the password through the Apexhost Client Area
This method may be available when you do not know the current cPanel password.
1. Log in to the Apexhost Client Area.
2. Open the hosting service you want to manage.
3. Select the option to access or manage cPanel.
4. Find the option to change or reset the hosting account password.
5. Enter a new password that meets the requirements.
6. Confirm the new password if requested.
7. Save the change and wait for the confirmation message.
8. Close any existing cPanel sessions and log in again using the new password.
Change the password from inside cPanel
Use this method when you can log in to cPanel and know the current password.
1. Log in to cPanel.
2. Open Password & Security.
3. Enter the current password if cPanel requests it.
4. Enter the new password.
5. Enter the new password again to confirm it.
6. Save the change.
7. Test the new password by signing in to cPanel again.
How to change an email account password in cPanel
Email account passwords are changed separately from the main cPanel password. Changing a mailbox password affects that mailbox only.
1. Log in to cPanel.
2. Open Email Accounts.
3. Find the mailbox that needs a new password.
4. Select Manage, Password or the equivalent option displayed for the mailbox.
5. Enter a new password.
6. Confirm the new password if requested.
7. Save the change.
8. Test access through webmail.
After changing the password, update it anywhere the mailbox is configured. This may include webmail, phones, tablets, desktop email applications, website contact forms and SMTP settings. An application that continues using the old password may repeatedly fail to connect.
How to change an FTP account password in cPanel
FTP account passwords can be changed in cPanel. Changing an FTP password does not change the main cPanel password or other FTP account passwords.
1. Log in to cPanel.
2. Open FTP Accounts.
3. Find the FTP account you want to update.
4. Select Change Password, Password or the equivalent option.
5. Enter a new password.
6. Confirm the password if requested.
7. Save the change.
8. Open your FTP client and replace the saved password before connecting again.
Update any deployment tool or script that uses the FTP account. Common FTP clients include FileZilla, Cyberduck and WinSCP.
Other passwords related to your hosting
Database user passwords
If your website uses MySQL or MariaDB, you may be able to change a database user password in cPanel.
1. Log in to cPanel.
2. Open MySQL Databases.
3. Locate the database user.
4. Set a new password for the user.
5. Save the change.
6. Update the website configuration file with the new database password.
Changing the database password without updating the website configuration can cause database connection errors or make the website unavailable.
Website application passwords
WordPress, Joomla and other applications normally have their own login credentials. Change these passwords inside the application or use the application's password recovery process. Changing a cPanel password does not normally change an application administrator password.
Webmail passwords
Webmail uses the password for the relevant email account. When you change that mailbox password in cPanel, use the new password for webmail and any other device or application connected to the mailbox.
Best practices after changing a password
* Test the new login immediately
* Update saved credentials on every relevant device and application
* Remove old passwords from shared documents, notes and emails
* Save the new password in a secure password manager
* Remove access for people who no longer need it
* Change related credentials if you suspect an account has been compromised
* Avoid sending the password through an ordinary email message
Troubleshooting
The new password is rejected
The password may not meet the strength requirements. Make it longer and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. Avoid spaces at the beginning or end when copying and pasting.
Email stops working after the password change
The email program or device is probably still using the old password. Update the saved password on every device, test webmail and check any website or application that sends mail through the mailbox.
FTP cannot connect after the password change
Re-enter the new password manually in the FTP client. Confirm that the FTP username is correct, then save the updated credentials. Also check whether a deployment tool or script has the old password stored.
The website stops working after changing a database password
Update the database password in the website's configuration file, then test the website. If you are unsure which file contains the database credentials, check the application's documentation or contact a website developer.
Frequently asked questions
Does changing my cPanel password change my email password?
No. Email account passwords are managed separately in cPanel.
Does changing my cPanel password change my FTP password?
No. FTP account passwords are managed separately in cPanel.
Can I change an email password in cPanel if Apexhost does not provide traditional IMAP or POP hosting anymore?
Yes, if the email account exists on your cPanel service. Change the account password from Email Accounts in cPanel. Apexhost's service availability does not change the cPanel process for managing existing cPanel email accounts.
How long should a password be?
Use at least 12 characters. A longer, unique passphrase is recommended when the service accepts it.
Related Articles
* Logging In (cPanel)
* Getting Started (cPanel)
* Managing Services (Apexhost - Client Area)
* File Manager (cPanel)
* Reset Webmail (Email Account) Password for cPanel
* Creating an Email Account in cPanel
Need More Help?
If you require further assistance, please contact Apexhost Support at support@apexhost.com.au.
