Complete Guide to the cPanel & WHM Configuration File: /var/cpanel/cpanel.config (Versions 110–130)

1. Introduction

The /var/cpanel/cpanel.config file is the central configuration file for WHM and cPanel. Every option you modify inside WHM’s Tweak Settings interface is ultimately stored in this file.

If the file is missing, cPanel automatically recreates it using the default template located at:

/usr/local/cpanel/etc/cpanel.config

Important Notes:

• Dynamic values should not be edited manually. Always change them through WHM → Tweak Settings.
• The cache file /var/cpanel/cpanel.config.cache is regenerated automatically whenever the main file changes.

2. Key Groups and Descriptions

General / System Settings

Key	Tweak Settings Section	Description / Default Value	Notes
engine	—	cpanel	Do not modify.
engineroot	—	/usr/local/cpanel	Do not modify.
enginepl	—	cpanel.pl	Do not modify.
root	—	/usr/local/cpanel	Do not modify.
conserve_memory	—	0	Dynamic — change only via WHM.
maxmem	—	4096	Max memory for cPanel processes (MB).
maxcpsrvdconnections	—	200	Maximum concurrent cpsrvd connections.

Security / Login & Authentication

Key	Tweak Settings Section	Description / Default Value	Notes
cgihidepass	Security → Hide login password	0	Hides login password from CGI scripts.
cookieipvalidation	Security → Cookie IP validation	strict	Modes: strict / loose / off.
domainowner_mail_pass	Mail → Mail authentication	0	Dynamic — domain owner can authenticate mail.
resetpass	—	1	Allows cPanel password reset.
resetpass_sub	—	1	Allows sub-account password reset.
requiressl	Security → Require SSL	1	Forces SSL for WHM/cPanel/Webmail.

Email / Mail Settings

Key	Tweak Settings Section	Description / Default Value	Notes
exim_retention_days	Stats and Logs	10	Retention for Exim stats.
exim-retrytime	Mail → Retry time	15	Retry interval in minutes.
eximmailtrap	Mail → Track email origin	1	Enables X-Source header.
mailbox_storage_format	Mail → Mailbox format	maildir	maildir or mbox.
popbeforesmtp	Mail → POP-before-SMTP	0	Allows relay after POP login.
smtpmailgidonly	Mail → Restrict outgoing SMTP	1	Only root, exim, mailman can send SMTP.

DNS / Domains

Key	Tweak Settings Section	Description / Default Value	Notes
autocreateaentries	Domains → Auto A entries	1	Adds A records for nameservers.
autodiscover_host	Domains → SRV host	cpanelemaildiscovery.cpanel.net	Used for autodiscover.
proxysubdomains	Domains → Service subdomains	1	Dynamic — enables cpanel., webmail., whm.
proxysubdomainsoverride	Domains → Override	1	Allows overriding A records.

PHP & Apache

Key	Tweak Settings Section	Description / Default Value	Notes
php_max_execution_time	PHP → Max execution time	90	Seconds.
php_memory_limit	PHP → Memory limit	128	MB.
php_post_max_size	PHP → Max POST size	55	MB.
php_upload_max_filesize	PHP → Max upload size	50	MB.

Stats & Logs

Key	Tweak Settings Section	Description / Default Value	Notes
cycle_hours	Statistics Software	24	Rounded to nearest 15 minutes.
dumplogs	Stats and Logs	1	Deletes access logs after stats processing.
keepftplogs	Stats and Logs	0	Keeps master FTP log.
keeplogs	Stats and Logs	0	Keeps monthly logs.

Notifications & User Alerts

Key	Tweak Settings Section	Description / Default Value	Notes
emailusers_diskusage_critical_percent	Notifications	90	Critical disk usage alert.
emailusers_diskusage_full_percent	Notifications	98	Full disk alert.
emailusers_diskusage_warn_percent	Notifications	80	Warning threshold.
emailusersbandwidthexceed	Notifications	1	Bandwidth limit exceeded alert.

3. Important Notes

• Do NOT manually edit dynamic keys. Always use WHM → Tweak Settings.
• After manual edits, restart cpsrvd:

/scripts/restartsrv_cpsrvd

• If the file is missing, cPanel regenerates it from the default template.

4. Viewing or Editing the File

cat /var/cpanel/cpanel.config
nano /var/cpanel/cpanel.config

Conclusion

The cpanel.config file is the core of WHM’s configuration system. Understanding its structure and key values allows administrators to manage cPanel behavior with precision and avoid misconfigurations. Always modify dynamic values through WHM and allow cPanel to manage caching automatically.