Email routing in cPanel allows you to control how incoming emails for your domain are handled. By configuring email routing properly, you can direct emails to local mail servers, remote email services, or backup mail exchangers based on your business requirements.
Steps to Configure Email Routing in cPanel
1. Log in to Your cPanel Account
Access your hosting cPanel using your username and password.
2. Open Email Routing
- Navigate to the EMAIL section
- Click on Email Routing
The Email Routing interface will open.
3. Select the Domain
Choose the domain name from the dropdown menu for which you want to configure email routing.
4. Choose the Email Routing Configuration
Select the appropriate email routing option based on your email hosting setup.
Automatically Detect Configuration (Recommended)
This is the recommended option. cPanel checks your MX records automatically and selects the appropriate configuration between:
- Local Mail Exchanger
- Backup Mail Exchanger
- Remote Mail Exchanger
Local Mail Exchanger
This option allows the server to:
- Accept incoming emails locally
- Deliver emails directly to local mailboxes
Best for domains using cPanel-hosted email accounts.
Backup Mail Exchanger
This option enables the server to act as a backup mail server.
If the primary mail server goes offline:
- Incoming emails are temporarily stored
- Emails are delivered once the primary server becomes active again
Remote Mail Exchanger
Choose this option if you use third-party email services such as:
- Google Workspace
- Microsoft 365
- Zoho Mail
With this configuration:
- The server will not accept local emails
All emails will route to the external mail server using MX records
5. Save the Configuration
After selecting your preferred email routing option:
- Click the Change button
Your email routing settings will now be updated successfully.
