The error log in cPanel displays recent HTTP related errors generated by your website. Reviewing this log helps identify missing files, permission problems, misconfigurations, and signs of suspicious activity.
What the error log shows
The error log records the most recent 300 entries generated by the web server. Entries are displayed in reverse chronological order, with the newest events shown first.
Typical events found in the error log include:
- File not found errors
- Permission denied messages
- Script execution failures
- Access attempts to restricted paths
These logs are useful for troubleshooting website issues and identifying abnormal behavior.
Accessing the error log
- Log in to cPanel.
- Open the Tools page.
- In the Metrics section, click Errors.
[Screenshot placeholder: cPanel Metrics section with Errors icon]
The error log opens immediately and displays recent entries.
Using the error log for troubleshooting
Error log entries can help determine why pages fail to load or why applications behave unexpectedly. When combined with application configuration checks, the log provides context for resolving issues such as incorrect file permissions or missing dependencies.
For sites hosted on cPanel hosting, reviewing the error log is often the first step before making configuration changes or restoring files.
Security and monitoring considerations
Repeated access errors, unexpected script execution attempts, or unfamiliar file paths may indicate malicious activity. In such cases, further investigation is recommended.
Websites running business critical services or higher traffic workloads may benefit from enhanced monitoring and isolation available on cloud servers or a dedicated server.
When to request assistance
If error messages are unclear or persist after configuration checks, providing error log details can help support teams diagnose the issue more efficiently.