How to View Error Log in cPanel?

You will often encounter errors when you manage a website. Well, you can keep track of these errors and fix them with one helpful tool in cPanel – Error Log.

This feature displays the issues or problems the users face when they try to access your website. These issues are often related to things like missing files, incorrect permissions, or server misconfigurations. Moreover, the error log identifies broken links or missing files, too.

It alerts you to more serious problems like unauthorised access attempts or possible security breaches. So, you must monitor your error logs regularly to spot suspicious activities early, such as a potential virus infection. This way, you can take action before it affects your website’s performance or security.

Further, the error log will show the most recent 300 error messages generated by your website. These messages are displayed in reverse chronological order (newest errors are shown first).

Now let’s get into how you can actually view this error log inside cPanel.

Guide: Viewing the Error Log in cPanel

• Get into your cPanel account. Enter your username and password to reach the cPanel dashboard.
• Scroll down a bit until you find a section called Metrics. Click on it. That’s the main area (Latest web server error log messages) where you will be able to see your error logs.

Each error message contains useful details. It will show you the date and time of the error, the type of error that happened, and what exactly triggered it. Some messages may look a little technical, but even a basic understanding will help you take the next step.

You can even take a screenshot or copy the message and show it to your developer or hosting support team. They can help fix the issue based on that message.

Example

Let’s say your website was loading fine yesterday, but now it shows a white screen or an error message. You can open the error log and check what changed or broke. Maybe someone updated a plugin, or maybe a new code line is causing trouble.

Conclusion

This tool only logs server-side errors. You can find out why a page is not working or why your server is refusing to show something. It will not show you design issues or content problems. Moreover, checking error logs doesn’t change anything. You can safely open and read them without the fear of breaking your site. So, that’s how you can check and use the error log in cPanel.