{"id":187,"date":"2026-05-31T23:02:18","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T06:02:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hostandtech.com\/kb\/cpanel\/how-to-enable-error-logging-cpanel\/"},"modified":"2026-05-31T23:02:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T06:02:18","slug":"how-to-enable-error-logging-cpanel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hostandtech.com\/kb\/cpanel\/how-to-enable-error-logging-cpanel\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Enable Error Logging in cPanel (PHP Errors & Server Logs)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Overview<\/h2>\n

When something breaks on your website, PHP errors are usually the first place to look. But by default, most hosting environments suppress these errors on the front end \u2014 which is correct for a live site, but makes debugging a nightmare if you don’t have logging enabled. The cPanel error log<\/strong> is your fastest way to find out what PHP, your application, or the server itself is complaining about.<\/p>\n

This article covers how to enable PHP error logging through cPanel’s built-in tools, via a php.ini<\/code> file, and directly through your .htaccess<\/code> file. It also covers where your error logs actually live and how to read them without going cross-eyed.<\/p>\n

This applies to shared hosting accounts running cPanel (version 106+), but the PHP configuration steps also apply to VPS environments where cPanel\/WHM is installed. If you’re on our Shared Hosting<\/a> plans, this is the most common method you’ll use.<\/p>\n

Prerequisites<\/h2>\n
    \n
  • Active cPanel login credentials for your hosting account<\/li>\n
  • At least one domain or subdomain set up under your account<\/li>\n
  • FTP\/SFTP access or access to cPanel’s File Manager (for editing config files)<\/li>\n
  • Basic familiarity with file paths like \/home\/username\/public_html\/<\/code><\/li>\n
  • If you’re editing php.ini<\/code> manually, you’ll need to know which PHP version your account is using (check under Software > MultiPHP Manager<\/strong>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Step-by-Step Instructions<\/h2>\n

    Method 1: Enable Error Logging via cPanel’s MultiPHP INI Editor<\/h3>\n

    This is the easiest method for shared hosting users and doesn’t require touching any files manually.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Log in to cPanel.<\/li>\n
    2. Scroll to the Software<\/strong> section and click MultiPHP INI Editor<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
    3. Under the Editor Mode<\/strong> tab, select the domain you want to configure from the dropdown.<\/li>\n
    4. Find the following directives and set them as shown:\n
        \n
      • error_reporting<\/code> \u2014 set to E_ALL<\/code><\/li>\n
      • log_errors<\/code> \u2014 set to On<\/strong><\/li>\n
      • display_errors<\/code> \u2014 set to Off<\/strong> (more on why below)<\/li>\n
      • error_log<\/code> \u2014 set to a path like \/home\/yourusername\/logs\/php_errors.log<\/code><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
      • Click Apply<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        \ud83d\udcdd Note: Keep display_errors<\/code> set to Off<\/strong> on any live site. Turning it on outputs raw PHP errors directly to your web pages, which can expose file paths, database credentials, and internal logic to anyone visiting your site. Log to file \u2014 don’t display.<\/p>\n

        Method 2: Configure Logging in a Custom php.ini File<\/h3>\n

        If you need per-directory control, or the INI Editor isn’t available on your plan, you can drop a php.ini<\/code> file directly into the directory you want to monitor.<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Open cPanel’s File Manager<\/strong> and navigate to \/home\/yourusername\/public_html\/<\/code> (or a subdirectory you’re debugging).<\/li>\n
        2. Create a new file named php.ini<\/code> in that directory.<\/li>\n
        3. Add the following:\n