How to access ssh in cpanel: step-by-step guide — Learn how to access ssh in cpanel with this step-by-step guide.

This article provides a step-by-step guide for how to access SSH in cPanel. This guide is intended for cPanel Shared Hosting and WHM Reseller Hosting users.

Table of Contents

What is SSH?

Secure Shell (SSH) is a powerful tool that allows you to securely connect to your web server’s command line. SSH access is available on all Rad Web Hosting shared hosting and reseller hosting plans!

Follow this detailed guide to learn how to access SSH in cPanel:

📋 Prerequisites

Before you can access SSH via cPanel, you need:

A cPanel hosting account with SSH access enabled (check with your host if unsure).
Your cPanel username and password.
An SSH client:
Windows: Use PuTTY or Windows Terminal (with OpenSSH).
Mac/Linux: The Terminal app is pre-installed.
(Optional) An SSH Key Pair for passwordless login (more secure).

How to Access SSH in cPanel: Step-by-Step Guide

To access SSH in cPanel, follow the steps below:

Locate “SSH Access” in cPanel

To start, access your cPanel account and locate the “SSH Access” application:
1. Login to cPanel.
2. Look for a section called Security.
3. Click on SSH Access (sometimes labeled “Terminal” or “Manage SSH Keys”).
Generate (or Upload) SSH Keys

To create an SSH key pair in cPanel:
1. Inside cPanel, navigate to Security > SSH Access.
2. Click Manage SSH Keys.
3. Click Generate a New Key.
4. Fill in:
  - Key Name: (optional) leave blank or use a name.
  - Key Password: Add a strong passphrase.
  - Key Type: RSA (recommended).
  - Key Size: 2048 or 4096 bits (bigger = stronger).
5. Click Generate Key.
6. After generating:
  - Go back to Manage SSH Keys.
  - Authorize the public key by clicking “Manage” > “Authorize”.
If you already have a key pair, you can Import Key instead of generating.
Download Your Private Key
1. Still under Manage SSH Keys, find your private key.
2. Click View/Download next to it.
3. If necessary, convert the key to PPK format (for PuTTY users):
  - Download PuTTYgen.
  - Open your private key in PuTTYgen and save it as.ppk.
Connect Using an SSH Client

Now you’re ready to connect!
- Windows (using PuTTY):
  1. Open PuTTY.
  2. In Host Name (or IP address), enter:
```
username@yourdomain.com
```
    or
```
username@yourserverIP
```
  3. Port: 22 (default SSH port, unless your host specifies a different one).
  4. (If using SSH keys) Under Connection > SSH > Auth, browse and load your .ppk private key file.
  5. Click Open to start the session.
  6. Accept the security alert if prompted.
  7. Enter your cPanel password (if asked) or passphrase (for SSH key login).
- Mac/Linux (using Terminal):
  1. Open Terminal.
  2. Type:
```
ssh username@yourdomain.com
```
  3. (If using a custom SSH port):
```
ssh -p 2222 username@yourdomain.com
```
  4. First-time connections will ask to verify the server’s fingerprint — type yes.
  5. You’ll then:
    - Enter your private key passphrase.

Troubleshooting Tips

Problem	Solution
Connection timed out	Check if SSH access is enabled. Verify correct IP, username, and port.
Permission denied	Wrong username/password or unapproved SSH key.
PuTTY won’t connect	Make sure you’re using the right PPK file and the correct hostname/IP.
Cannot authenticate using public key	Ensure key is authorized in cPanel and permission settings on the server are correct.

⚡ Pro Tips

Whitelist your IP address in your host’s firewall if needed (common in some managed VPS plans).
Use SSH Config File to simplify connections if you manage multiple servers:

Host myserver
HostName yourdomain.com
User username
Port 22
IdentityFile ~/.ssh/my_private_key

Then simply connect with:

ssh myserver

Never share your private key. Treat it like a password.

Conclusion

You now know how to access SSH in cPanel. SSH access through cPanel gives you direct control over your server for advanced management, scripting, backups, and troubleshooting. Whether you’re deploying apps, managing files, or checking server logs, using SSH can dramatically speed up your workflow compared to the graphical cPanel dashboard alone.

If you follow these steps, you’ll have secure, reliable SSH access to your hosting environment!