Why Reset the cPanel File Manager?

Resetting the cPanel File Manager can help in several situations:

• You want to start fresh with a clean file structure.
• Your website files are corrupted or infected by malware.
• You’re facing errors when running scripts or installing applications like WordPress.
• Your storage is full, and you need to delete unnecessary files.

Step 1: Log in to Your cPanel Account

1. Open your web browser.
2. Go to your cPanel login page: https://yourdomain.com/cpanel or https://yourdomain.com:2083.
3. Enter your username and password, then click Log in.

Step 2: Open the File Manager

1. Once inside cPanel, locate the Files section.
2. Click on File Manager to open the directory structure of your account.

Step 3: Show Hidden Files (Optional but Recommended)

Some important files (like .htaccess) are hidden by default.

1. Click on the Settings button in the top-right corner of the File Manager.
2. Check the box that says Show Hidden Files (dotfiles).
3. Click Save.

Step 4: Select and Delete Existing Files

To reset the File Manager, you need to remove existing files and folders.

1. Inside File Manager, click on Select All to highlight all files.
2. Click on the Delete button in the top menu.
3. A confirmation pop-up will appear.
4. If you don’t need to use the Recycle Bin, select the option to Skip the trash and permanently delete files.
5. Click Confirm Deletion.

At this point, all files and folders (except system-generated ones like trash or cpanel) will be removed.

Step 5: Reload the File Manager

1. Click the Reload button.
2. You may see a few remaining folders (cpanel, logs, etc.) – these are system files required for cPanel to function properly.

Step 6: Upload Default cPanel Files (If Needed)

If you want to restore the default cPanel file structure, follow these steps:

1. Download the default cPanel files from your hosting provider or use a backup.
2. Click on the Upload button in File Manager.
3. Select the ZIP file containing the default files and click Open.
4. Wait for the upload to complete.

Step 7: Extract Uploaded Files

1. Locate the uploaded ZIP file in File Manager.
2. Click on it, then select Extract from the top menu.
3. In the extraction window, set the destination folder as / (root directory) or public_html.
4. Click Extract Files.

After extraction, the original cPanel files and folders will be restored.

Step 8: Verify the Reset Process

1. Ensure that the public_html folder is clickable and accessible.
2. If using WordPress or other CMS, check if the necessary files (wp-config.php, index.php, etc.) are present.
3. If files are missing, restore them from a backup.

Step 9: Delete the ZIP File (Optional)

After resetting your File Manager, it’s a good practice to remove unnecessary files:

1. Select the uploaded ZIP file.
2. Click Delete and confirm.

This step helps free up disk space and keeps your hosting account tidy.

Alternative Method: Reset Using Terminal (For Advanced Users)

If your hosting provider allows SSH access, you can reset the File Manager using command-line operations:

cd /home/yourusername
rm -rf public_html/*
mkdir public_html

Note: This command deletes all files inside public_html. Ensure you have backups before proceeding.

Best Practices When Resetting cPanel File Manager

1. Take a Backup First – Download a full backup from cPanel > Backup Wizard.
2. Avoid Deleting System Folders – Keep essential folders like etc, mail, and logs.
3. Check for Malware – If your files were hacked, scan your website using security plugins before restoring.
4. Use a Fresh Installation – If resetting for WordPress, consider reinstalling a fresh copy of WordPress after resetting.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

1. Deleted Essential Files by Mistake?

• If you accidentally removed important files, restore them from cPanel’s Backup Wizard.
• Contact your hosting provider for assistance.

2. Website Not Loading After Reset?

• Check if public_html exists and contains website files.
• Ensure your domain is pointing to the correct directory.

3. Can’t Access File Manager?

• Clear browser cache or try a different browser.
• Ensure your cPanel account is active and not suspended.

Conclusion

Resetting cPanel File Manager is an easy process that helps clean up your hosting account and resolve file-related issues. Whether you’re preparing for a new website, fixing corrupted files, or simply organizing your storage, following these steps ensures a smooth reset.

Key Takeaways:

✔ Use File Manager to delete and reset files. ✔ Enable Show Hidden Files for better visibility. ✔ Upload and extract the default cPanel files if needed. ✔ Always take a backup before making major changes. ✔ If needed, use Terminal/SSH for a manual reset.

By following this guide, you can efficiently reset your cPanel File Manager and ensure a well-organized and optimized hosting environment!