Where your hosting provider stores your login details

Your server username and password are usually sent to you by email when you first set up hosting, but that email gets buried or deleted. The fastest way to find them is to log into your hosting provider's control panel — the same place you pay your bill — and look for a section called "Account", "Credentials", "SSH Access", or "Server Information". Every major host (GoDaddy, Bluehost, Linode, DigitalOcean, AWS) puts this information in a different place, but it is always there.

If you cannot find the email and do not remember your control panel password, you can reset it using the "Forgot Password" link on your host's login page. That reset link goes to the email address you registered with, so you need access to that email account. Once you are back in the control panel, your server credentials are usually one or two clicks away.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into your hosting provider's control panel using the email and password you registered with — this is where all your server information lives.
  • Look for tabs or sections labeled "Account", "SSH Access", "Server Information", or "Credentials" — the exact name depends on your host.
  • If you forgot your control panel password, use the "Forgot Password" link and check the email address you signed up with.
  • Your username is often your account name or a generated string; your password may be randomly generated or one you set yourself.
  • Some hosts show your password in plain text; others show only a masked version or let you reset it to something new.

Finding credentials in your hosting control panel

The exact steps depend on which hosting company you use, but the pattern is the same. Go to your host's website, click "Log In" or "Sign In", and enter the email address and password you used when you created your account. This is not your server password — it is your account password with the hosting company.

Once you are logged in, look for a menu item or tab that says "Account", "Hosting", "Servers", "SSH", or "Advanced". Some hosts put it under "Settings" or "My Services". Click into that section and you should see your server's IP address, your username, and either your password or a button to reset it. Write down or copy all three pieces of information — you will need them to connect to your server.

If you see a password field that is blank or shows only dots, your host may not display passwords for security reasons. In that case, look for a "Reset Password" or "Generate New Password" button. Click it, and your host will either email you a new password or show you one on screen.

What to do if you never received the original email

Hosting companies send your server credentials in an email within a few minutes of account creation, but that email often lands in spam, gets deleted, or goes to an old email address. Do not panic — you can retrieve the information without it.

Log into your hosting control panel (using the password reset link if needed) and navigate to your account or server settings. Your credentials are stored there permanently. If your host does not show the password in the control panel, you can reset it to a new one that you choose. Write down the new password somewhere safe — a password manager is the best option — because you will need it every time you connect to your server.

Resetting your password if you forgot it

If you know your username but not your password, you have two options. The first is to reset it through your hosting control panel: log in using your email and account password, find your server settings, and click "Reset Password" or "Change Password". Your host will generate a new one or let you type one in.

The second option is to use your hosting provider's account recovery process if you forgot your control panel password too. Click "Forgot Password" on the login page, enter the email address you registered with, and check that email for a reset link. Once you reset your account password, you can log back in and change your server password from there.

Understanding username and password formats

Your server username is usually either your account name (the one you chose when signing up) or a generated string like "u123456" or "root". It is rarely an email address, though some hosts use a variation of your email as the username. Write it down exactly as shown — usernames are case-sensitive, so "Admin" and "admin" are different.

Your password can be anything from a random string of characters to something you set yourself. If your host generated it, it is usually long and includes uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. If you set it yourself, make sure you remember it exactly — spaces, capitalization, and special characters all matter. If you are not sure, reset it to something you know you can type correctly.

Storing your credentials safely

Once you have your username and password, do not store them in a text file on your desktop or in an email draft. Use a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or KeePass. These tools encrypt your credentials and let you retrieve them whenever you need to connect to your server. They also generate strong passwords if you need to reset yours.

If you use the same password for multiple servers or accounts, change it now. Each server should have its own unique password. Your hosting control panel password should also be different from your server password — if someone gets one, they should not automatically have the other.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my server password after I find it?

Yes. Most hosting control panels have a "Change Password" or "Reset Password" button in the server settings section. Click it, and you can either generate a new random password or type one in yourself. The change takes effect when ready, so write down the new password before you close the page.

What if my hosting provider's website looks completely different from what you described?

Hosting interfaces change frequently. If you cannot find your credentials in the obvious places, look for a search box or help icon on the control panel and search for "SSH" or "server credentials". You can also contact your host's support team — they can tell you exactly where to look or send you the information directly.

Is my username always the same as my account name?

Not always. Some hosts use your account name, others generate a separate username for server access. The only way to know is to check your control panel or the email your host sent when you signed up. If you see both an account name and a server username, use the server username when connecting to your server.

What if I see multiple usernames or passwords in my control panel?

You may have multiple servers or multiple user accounts on one server. Make sure you are looking at the right one — check the server's IP address or hostname to confirm. If you are unsure which credentials go with which server, your host's support team can clarify.

Can I use my hosting control panel password to log into my server?

No. Your hosting control panel password and your server password are separate. You use your control panel password to manage your account on the host's website. You use your server username and password (or SSH key) to connect directly to the server itself. They are two different things.