The cPanel & WHM Updates FAQ

This document will try to answer any questions you have about the way cPanel & WHM handles updates. To submit a question, use the red feedback button on the right side of your browser's window.

What does the cPanel & WHM update script (/scripts/upcp) do?

This script handles most of the updates on your cPanel & WHM system. You can run this script in 2 ways:

• On the command line, by entering /scripts/upcp as the root user.
• In WHM, using the Upgrade to Latest Version feature at Main >> cPanel >> Upgrade to Latest Version.

In addition to updating cPanel & WHM, this script also updates most of the software on your system by calling a number of other scripts within the /scripts directory. /scripts/upcp also runs:

More about the yum update command

YUM (Yellowdog Updater, Modified) is an open-source command line package management utility for Linux. When you run yum update from the command line without specifying a package, all of the packages contained within your system's repository are updated. YUM will also make sure that all dependencies are satisfied.

What does the Update Server Software feature update?

The Update Server Software feature manages software dependencies (provided by the operating system) that cPanel requires.

Here's where you can find and use this feature:

What does the Update System Software feature update?

The Update System Software feature keeps your operating system up-to-date. This feature will also update any package (handled by YUM) of which your system is aware. Essentially, this feature is the same as calling yum update as the root user on a command line.

Here's where you can find and use this feature:

How do I update Apache?

The EasyApache (Apache Update) feature is responsible for updating Apache (along with other applications and libraries). You must update Apache manually. Apache will not update when you run /scripts/upcp.

Here's where you can find and use EasyApache:

Whenever you run EasyApache, you are prompted to select the version of Apache you wish to use. If you choose a new version number, EasyApache will update Apache accordingly. It may be important to check back frequently as new Apache builds become available.

For more information on using EasyApache, read our EasyApache documentation.

What's the difference between the EasyApache interfaces in the browser and the command line?

The only difference is that the command line provides more flexible, powerful functionality. For example, by running /scripts/easyapache --build you can skip the configuration steps and build Apache immediately.

For a full list of command line arguments, run /scripts/easyapache --help

How do I update or change the version of MySQL?

To update MySQL, run /scripts/mysqlup from the command line.

To change the MySQL version, go to Main >> Software >> MySQL Upgrade in WHM.

If I manually update MySQL, will it work with cPanel & WHM?

Yes, but you need to disable MySQL updates on the Update Preferences screen:

1. Go to Main >> Server Configuration >> Update Preferences.
2. Under cPanel Package Updates >> mysqld, click Never.
3. Click Save at the bottom of the page.

There may be compatibility problems with any software you choose to install manually. For that reason, we only support MySQL versions that we supply with cPanel & WHM.

How do I update or change the version of PHP?

PHP used by Apache

To update the PHP instance used by Apache, run /scripts/phpup from the command line.

To change the PHP version used by Apache, access EasyApache, either at Main >> Software >> EasyApache (Apache Update) in WHM, or /scripts/easyapache on the command line.

PHP used by cPanel

To update the PHP instance used by cPanel, run /scripts/makecpphp from the command line.

If I install a custom instance of PHP, will it work with cPanel & WHM?

There may be compatibility problems with any software you choose to install manually. For that reason, we only support PHP instances that we supply with cPanel & WHM.

How are cPAddons updated?

You can manage specific configuration options for your cPAddons using the Manage cPAddons feature located at Main >> cPanel >> Manage cPAddons in your WHM interface. This feature will allow you to choose which cPAddons you wish to update automatically.

These cPAddons are updated by a cronjob that runs nightly. This cronjob updates the cPAddon repository for the entire server.

If I have installed additional RPMs, how do I update them?

RPMs and other modules that are installed with cPanel are automatically updated via /scripts/upcp.

If you have installed RPMs that are not included with cPanel & WHM's default installation, you will need to update these manually. These RPMs and packages will only receive an update if you have added them to the YUM repository.

Warning: Third-party repositories can cause problems with cPanel, as well as problems with updates from the OS repository. Please be aware of the risks before you use a third-party repository.

How do I update Perl modules?

When you run /scripts/upcp, WHM runs /scripts/checkperlmodules, which updates your Perl modules.

How do I update PHP extensions and applications?

PHP extensions

You can update extensions provided by WHM using EasyApache (/scripts/easyapache).

You will have to manually update PHP extensions that you have installed manually.

PHP applications

WHM will update any applications it provides (such as phpMyAdmin) when /scripts/upcp runs.

You can use the WHM Manage cPAddons screen to update cPAddons that you have installed.

How do I update RubyGems?

You will have to manually update any RubyGems you have installed.

When you run /scripts/installruby, WHM will install only required modules. It will update these modules when /scripts/upcp runs.

What are the EDGE, CURRENT, RELEASE, and STABLE release tiers?

For an explanation of our release tiers, please read cPanel & WHM Versions and Release Process.

Which release tier is right for me?

Essentially, if you value stability more than having the newest features, STABLE or RELEASE will likely fit your needs. If you want the newest features and most frequent updates, you may wish to run CURRENT. We recommend EDGE for testing purposes only; do not run EDGE on a production server.

You will need to read our documentation about release tiers and decide which tier best fits your needs.

What does "automatic" mean on the WHM Update Preferences screen?

Automatic updates occur every night at midnight. For more information about Update Preferences, see our Update Preferences documentation.