Why Knowing How to Install a PHP Script on cPanel Is Important

PHP scripts form the backbone of many web applications—from content management systems and chat bots to invoicing systems and custom tools. If you’re using shared hosting or VPS with cPanel, learning how to install a PHP script on cPanel gives you full control over your website’s backend. No advanced developer skills required.

Pre-Installation Requirements

Before installing a PHP script, make sure you have:

• An active hosting account with cPanel access
• A registered domain name connected to your hosting
• A script ZIP or TAR file (downloaded from a verified source)
• MySQL database details (if the script requires a database)
• A text editor (e.g., Notepad++ or VS Code) for editing config files

Method 1: Install a PHP Script Using cPanel File Manager

This method doesn’t require an FTP client and works entirely through your browser.

1. Log in to your cPanel dashboard
2. Navigate to File Manager under the Files section
3. Open the public_html directory or a subfolder where you want the script installed
4. Click Upload and select the PHP script ZIP file
5. Once uploaded, return to File Manager and extract the ZIP file
6. Check if there’s a config.php or settings.php file that needs editing
7. Edit the file using File Manager’s Edit function to update database credentials and other settings

Example:

For a script like “php-login”, you may need to update lines like:

$db_host = 'localhost';
$db_user = 'your_db_user';
$db_pass = 'your_db_password';
$db_name = 'your_db_name';

Method 2: Install a PHP Script Using FTP (e.g., FileZilla)

1. Unzip the PHP script on your computer
2. Connect to your hosting via FTP using credentials from cPanel
3. Upload the extracted folder to /public_html/ or a subdirectory
4. Open your browser and visit yourdomain.com or yourdomain.com/folder
5. Follow on-screen installation steps if the script has a web installer

Setting Up the MySQL Database (If Required)

1. In cPanel, go to MySQL® Databases
2. Create a new database and note the name
3. Create a new database user and assign a strong password
4. Add the user to the database with All Privileges
5. Use these credentials in your script’s configuration file

Initial Configuration and Permissions

• Ensure config files have appropriate permissions (usually 644)
• If your script creates folders/files, check if uploads/ or cache/ needs to be 755 or writable
• Review documentation to configure email, time zones, or admin accounts

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• 500 Internal Server Error: May be due to incorrect file permissions or a bad .htaccess file. Rename .htaccess to test.
• Blank screen: Enable display_errors in php.ini or add ini_set('display_errors', 1); at the top of the PHP file.
• Database connection failed: Double-check DB credentials and make sure the user has privileges.
• Script installer not loading: Check file structure. You should upload the contents of the folder, not the folder itself, if required by the script.

Best Practices for Installing PHP Scripts

• Always read the installation documentation included with the script
• Change default admin credentials immediately
• Delete installer files after setup to avoid security risks
• Update scripts regularly to patch vulnerabilities
• Use SSL (HTTPS) for secure data transmission

FAQs: How to Install a PHP Script on cPanel

Need help setting up your server before installation? Check out our article on How to Install WordPress on cPanel for similar steps that apply to PHP-based systems.

Updated: June 2025