screen: cd /home && curl -o latest -L https://securedownloads.cpanel.net/latest && sh latest. When it finishes, open https://your-server-ip:2087 and complete the setup in WHM. Most install errors come from a server that is not fresh, a bad hostname, or too little disk space.Requirements
| Requirement | What you need |
|---|---|
| Operating system | A fresh install of a supported release. On UnderHost Cloud VPS, cPanel is available on AlmaLinux 8, 9 and 10, CloudLinux 8 and 9, and Ubuntu 22.04 and 24.04. |
| Fresh server | No web server, database server or other control panel installed before cPanel. |
| Memory and disk | cPanel lists at least 2 GB of RAM and 20 GB of disk. Plan for more on a production server. Check cPanel’s requirements page for the current figures. |
| Network | A static public IPv4 address. |
| Hostname | A fully qualified domain name that is not used by a website, for example server1.example.com. |
| Licence | A cPanel licence for the server’s IP address. You can buy one with your server. |
CentOS:
cPanel no longer installs on CentOS 7 or CentOS 8. If your server still runs CentOS, move to AlmaLinux or CloudLinux. See our CentOS 7 end-of-life guide.
Which operating system to choose
| System | Choose it when | Cost on UnderHost Cloud VPS |
|---|---|---|
| AlmaLinux | You want a stable, free system and most cPanel guides to match your server. | Free |
| CloudLinux | You host many accounts and want per-account CPU and memory limits, CageFS isolation and PHP Selector. | +$14.95 a month |
| Ubuntu LTS | Your team already works on Ubuntu and prefers its tools. | Free |
For a server that hosts customer accounts or resellers, CloudLinux is usually worth it, because one busy account cannot slow down the others. For a single business running its own sites, AlmaLinux is the simplest choice.
How big should the server be?
| Use | Suggested starting point |
|---|---|
| A few small business sites | 2 to 4 CPU cores, 4 GB RAM, 80 GB or more of NVMe storage |
| Agency or reseller with dozens of sites | 4 to 8 cores, 8 to 16 GB RAM, 200 GB or more |
| Busy stores or many WordPress sites | 8 cores or more, 16 GB RAM or more, fast NVMe storage |
These are starting points, not limits. Watch CPU, memory and disk use in WHM after a few weeks, and upgrade before the server is under constant pressure.
Step 1: set the hostname
Pick a hostname under a domain you control, and create an A record for it that points to the server’s IP address.
hostnamectl set-hostname server1.example.com
hostname -f # should print server1.example.comStep 2: update the system
# AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, CloudLinux
dnf update -y
# Ubuntu
apt update && apt upgrade -yReboot if a new kernel was installed, so the installer runs on the updated system.
Step 3: start a screen session
The installer takes a while. Run it inside screen, so a dropped SSH connection does not stop it.
# AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, CloudLinux
dnf install -y screen
# Ubuntu
apt install -y screen
screen -S cpanelIf your connection drops, log back in and reattach with screen -r cpanel.
Step 4: run the installer
cd /home && curl -o latest -L https://securedownloads.cpanel.net/latest && sh latestThe installer checks the system, installs the packages and builds the configuration. Expect it to take from about 30 minutes to over an hour, depending on the server. When it finishes, it prints the address of WHM.
Step 5: finish the setup in WHM
- Open
https://your-server-ip:2087and log in asroot. - Accept the licence agreement.
- Enter a contact email address, so the server can send you alerts.
- Set the nameservers, or keep the defaults if you use external DNS.
- Finish the wizard. WHM opens on the home screen.
Step 6: first things to do after installing
- ✓ SSL: turn on AutoSSL in SSL/TLS > Manage AutoSSL. See our free SSL guide.
- ✓ Backups: set up Backup Configuration with an off-site destination. See our automatic backups guide.
- ✓ Firewall: set up a firewall and allow your own IP address before you lock anything down. See our CSF firewall guide.
- ✓ PHP: choose the default PHP version in MultiPHP Manager and add the extensions your sites need.
- ✓ Updates: check Update Preferences so cPanel updates itself automatically.
- ✓ Security: work through our cPanel security tips.
Common install errors and how to fix them
| Error or symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| The installer stops and says the server is not fresh | A web server, MySQL or another panel is already installed | Reinstall the operating system and run the installer on the clean system. |
| Hostname warning or failure | The hostname is not fully qualified, or it is the same as a website domain | Set a hostname such as server1.example.com with an A record, then run the installer again. |
| Unsupported operating system | The release is too old or not supported | Use a supported release such as AlmaLinux 9. |
| Not enough disk space | The disk is too small, or /home or /var is on a small partition | Use a larger disk, or a single partition layout. |
| Licence error when WHM opens | No licence for this IP address yet, or the IP changed | Buy or move the licence to the server’s IP. See our licence error guide. |
| The install stopped when SSH dropped | The installer ran outside screen | Reinstall the operating system and run the installer inside screen. |
Where to read the install log
If the installer fails, the log shows the exact step. It is saved as /var/log/cpanel-install.log. Look at the last lines first:
tail -n 50 /var/log/cpanel-install.log
Need help with this?
Skip the install entirely: order a Cloud VPS or dedicated server with cPanel ready to use, or let our team set it up and secure it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install cPanel on CentOS?
No. cPanel no longer supports CentOS. Use a supported system such as AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, CloudLinux or a supported Ubuntu LTS release.
How long does a cPanel install take?
Usually from about 30 minutes to over an hour, depending on the server speed and network.
Do I need a licence before installing?
You can install first, but WHM needs a valid licence for the server’s IP address to work. Buying the licence with your server avoids interruptions.
Can I install cPanel on Ubuntu?
Yes, on supported Ubuntu LTS releases. cPanel supports only certain LTS versions, so check the supported list before you install. On UnderHost Cloud VPS, cPanel is offered on Ubuntu 22.04 and 24.04.
Can I install cPanel on a server that already hosts websites?
No. The installer needs a fresh operating system. Move the sites to the new server after cPanel is installed.
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