How to Change the Primary Domain Name of a cPanel Account

Changing the primary domain of a cPanel account is a significant action that requires access to WebHost Manager (WHM) and should be done with caution. This process is not a simple rename; it has cascading effects on your website files, email accounts, and other configurations.

What You Need to Know Before You Begin

• You must have WHM access. This is a task for server administrators, not individual cPanel users. If you are on a shared hosting plan, you will need to contact your hosting provider to perform this action for you.
• Back up your website. Before making any changes, create a full backup of your website files and databases. This is a critical step, as the change can potentially break your site, especially if you use a CMS like WordPress.
• The old domain is not deleted. The previous primary domain will be removed as the primary, but its files will remain in the public_html directory. If you still need to use the old domain, you’ll have to add it back as an Addon or Parked domain.

How to Change the Primary Domain

1. Log in to WHM: Access your WebHost Manager panel, usually at yourdomain.com:2087 or via your hosting provider’s client area.
2. Navigate to “Modify an Account”: In the search bar on the left, type “Modify an Account” and click on the option that appears under the Account Functions section.
3. Select the Account: Find the cPanel account you want to modify from the list and click the Modify button.
4. Enter the New Primary Domain: On the account modification page, you will see a field for Primary Domain. Enter the new domain name you want to use.
5. Save the Changes: Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the Save button.

WHM will then process the change, which can take a few moments.

Post-Change Actions

After changing the primary domain, several things happen, and you may need to take manual steps to get your site fully functional:

• Email Accounts: All email accounts tied to the old primary domain (e.g., user@olddomain.com) will be renamed to the new domain (e.g., user@newdomain.com). You will need to update the email settings on any devices that use these accounts.
• Website Files: The cPanel account’s public_html directory will now be associated with the new domain. However, if your old site (especially a CMS like WordPress) had hardcoded links, you will need to manually update them to reflect the new domain name.
• DNS Records: The DNS records for the old domain will be deleted and new ones will be created for the new domain. If you had any custom DNS records, you will need to re-add them using the Zone Editor in cPanel.