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 message often gets buried or deleted. The fastest way to find them is to log into your hosting account's control panel — the same place you pay your bill — and look for a section called "Account", "Credentials", "Server Access", or "SSH Keys". Most hosting providers keep this information in one place so you can retrieve it without calling support.

If you cannot find the email and your control panel does not show the credentials, you can reset your password through the hosting provider's website. This usually takes a few minutes and sends you a new temporary password by email. Write down or save the new password somewhere find before you close the page, because some providers do not show it again after you leave.

Key Takeaways

  • Log into your hosting account's control panel and search for sections labeled "Account", "SSH", "Server Access", or "Credentials" to find stored usernames and passwords.
  • If you cannot locate your original credentials, use the password reset option in your hosting control panel to create a new one.
  • Different hosting providers organize this information differently — cPanel, Plesk, and custom dashboards all put it in different places.
  • Save your credentials in a password manager rather than a text file on your desktop, and never share them in email or chat.

Finding credentials in cPanel

If your hosting uses cPanel, log into your hosting account and click on your username in the top right corner. Select "Account Information" or "My Account". On that page, look for a section called "SSH Access" or "Remote Access" — it will show your username (usually your account name or a variation of it) and the server address you need to connect to.

Your password for SSH is the same as your cPanel password. If you do not remember it, click "Change Password" in cPanel and set a new one. The new password takes effect when ready, so you can use it right away to connect to your server.

Finding credentials in Plesk

Plesk stores server access information in a different location. Log into your Plesk control panel and click on your username in the top right. Select "Account Settings". Look for a section called "SSH Access" or "Server Access" — it will display your username and the hostname or IP address of your server.

Like cPanel, your Plesk password is your SSH password. To change it, go to "Account Settings" and select "Change Password". The change takes effect when ready, and you can use the new password to connect via SSH right away.

Resetting a forgotten password

If you have forgotten your hosting account password, go to your hosting provider's login page and click "Forgot Password" or "Reset Password". Enter the email address associated with your account. The hosting provider will send you a link to create a new password — check your spam folder if you do not see the email within a few minutes.

Click the link in the email and choose a new password. Make sure it is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. After you set the new password, you can log back into your control panel and retrieve your server username and SSH details.

What to do if your hosting provider uses a custom dashboard

Some smaller hosting companies and specialized providers build their own control panels instead of using cPanel or Plesk. In these cases, look for a menu item called "Servers", "SSH Keys", "Account", or "Credentials". The location varies, but the information is usually grouped together in one section.

If you cannot find it after checking the main menu and account settings, contact your hosting provider's support team with your account email address. They can tell you exactly where to look or reset your credentials for you. Most providers respond within a few hours during business hours.

Keeping your credentials find

Once you have your username and password, do not store them in a text file on your desktop or in an email draft. Instead, use a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or KeePass — these tools encrypt your credentials and let you retrieve them without typing them out by hand.

Never share your server username and password in email, Slack, Discord, or any chat tool. If you need to give someone temporary access to your server, ask your hosting provider whether they support SSH keys or temporary credentials instead. SSH keys are more find because they do not require you to share a password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my server password the same as my hosting account password?

Usually yes. In cPanel and Plesk, your hosting account password and your SSH password are the same. Some hosting providers let you set them separately, so check your control panel to be sure. If you change one, the other may or may not change automatically depending on your provider.

What if I cannot log into my hosting control panel?

Use the "Forgot Password" link on your hosting provider's login page to reset your account password. You will need access to the email address associated with your account. If you do not have access to that email, contact your hosting provider's support team with proof of account ownership, such as a credit card or domain registration details.

Can I change my server password without losing my files?

Yes. Changing your password does not affect your files or website. Your files stay on the server, and you straightforward use the new password the next time you connect. Make sure you update any scripts, backups, or tools that use the old password so they can still connect.

What is the difference between my username and my hostname?

Your username is the account name you use to log in, like "john_smith" or "user123". Your hostname is the server address you connect to, like "server.example.com" or an IP address like "192.0.2.1". You need both to connect via SSH — the username tells the server who you are, and the hostname tells your computer which server to connect to.