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How to Restore a WordPress Backup with Softaculous

If you made a backup with Softaculous, you can bring your site back to that point. This guide shows how.

WordPress2 min read13 steps

What is a restore?

A backup is a saved copy of your site. A restore puts that copy back. It is like going back to a saved point in a video game. Softaculous is a tool in cPanel that installs apps like WordPress. It can also make and restore backups for sites it installed.

Ask Hostvento support if Softaculous is on your plan.

Warning: A restore replaces your current site with the older copy. Anything you added after the backup will be lost. If you can, make a fresh backup of the current site first.

Before you start

  • You need a backup that was made with Softaculous.
  • You need your cPanel login. Find it in your welcome email or client area at https://secure.hostvento.com/clientarea.php.

Steps

  1. Log in to cPanel.
  2. Open Softaculous Apps Installer.
  3. Click Backups. It may be in the top menu or the side menu. It may also appear as a small icon.
  4. You will see a list of backups with dates. Each one belongs to a WordPress install.
  5. Find the backup you want. Check the date and the site address.
  6. Click the Restore icon for that backup.
  7. A window shows what will be restored. You may see boxes for the files, the database and the installation directory. Keep all of them ticked for a full restore.
  8. Read the warning, then click Restore Installation.
  9. Wait. Do not close the page until it says the restore is done.
  10. Visit your site and check that it looks right.

If you only have a backup file

Sometimes the backup is a file on your computer. Softaculous backups are stored on the server, but you can download them and upload them again.

  1. Go to Softaculous, then Backups.
  2. Look for an Upload option, and choose your backup file.
  3. When it appears in the list, follow the Restore steps above.

If the restore fails

  • Check that your hosting has enough free disk space.
  • Check that the domain and folder still exist.
  • Clear your browser cache and any caching plugin.
  • Open a ticket at https://secure.hostvento.com/submitticket.php and say what error you see.
Tip: Download a copy of your backup to your own computer. That way you still have it if something happens to the server.

Quick recap

  • A restore puts a saved copy of your site back.
  • Open Softaculous, click Backups, then Restore.
  • Restoring replaces your current site and loses newer changes.
  • Make a fresh backup first when possible.