Learn how to create a database user, assign it to a database and manage its permissions. This guide also explains how to change an existing database password.
Who is this guide for?
This guide applies exclusively to customers whose hosting with cPanel is managed on the new Webland platform (WHMCS).
Do you use Essential Hosting without cPanel? Follow the guide “Essential Hosting: Creating and Managing Databases”.
Do you use the System Configurator or Domain Manager? Sign in at classic.webland.ch. The steps below do not apply to the classic Webland platform.
Important information
A database user allows your website or application to access a database. This login is separate from email accounts, WordPress administrators and your Webland client area login.
You cannot display a saved database password in cPanel. If you no longer know it, you must set a new one.
Requirements
You have an active hosting service with cPanel and database functionality.
You have access to Manage My Databases.
The database the user should access has already been created.
1. Sign in to cPanel
Open the home page (dashboard) in the Webland client area.
Find the relevant hosting plan under your active services.
Click Log in to cPanel.
2. Create a database user
In cPanel, open Manage My Databases under Databases.
Go to Add New User:
Enter the desired username.
Set a long, unique password. Alternatively, use Password Generator.
Confirm the password and follow the displayed password requirements.
Click Create User.
After confirmation, click Go Back.
Store the full username and password securely. If cPanel adds an account prefix, it forms part of the username and must also be included in your application.
3. Assign the user to a database
Find Add User To Database.
Select the required user.
Select the database the user should access.
Click Add.
You can then configure permissions for this assignment.
4. Grant permissions
Select the permissions your application requires.
If the application needs full permissions for this database, select ALL PRIVILEGES.
Click Make Changes.
Click Go Back to return to the overview.
These permissions apply to the selected database. A user can be assigned to several databases with different permissions for each.
Grant permissions according to your application’s requirements. Full permissions are not necessary for every use case.
5. Change permissions later
Under Manage My Databases, open Current Databases.
Find the relevant database.
Click the assigned user under Privileged Users.
Adjust the permissions.
Click Make Changes.
Then check that the connected application still works as intended.
6. Change an existing user’s password
Under Manage My Databases, open Current Users.
Click Change Password next to the relevant user.
Enter and confirm the new password.
Save it by clicking Change Password.
Also update the password in every application that uses this database user. Otherwise, those applications will be unable to establish new database connections. If the user has access to several databases, multiple websites may be affected.
Frequently asked questions and troubleshooting
The user was created, but my application cannot access the database.
Check that the user is assigned to the correct database and has the required permissions. Also check the database name, full username, password and database server address in your application.
I have forgotten the database password.
Set a new password under Current Users → Change Password, then update it in the connected applications.
My website stopped working after a password change.
Check that the new password has been entered in the website’s database configuration.
Do I need to assign the user again after using Database Wizard?
No. If you completed Database Wizard, the user is already assigned to the database created during that process.