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Configuring Email Routing in cPanel
Email routing in cPanel controls where your domain's emails are delivered - choosing the right option prevents bounces and delivery failures.
Email routing in cPanel controls where your domain's emails are delivered. Choosing the right option - whether you host email locally, use a third-party provider, or need a backup server - prevents bounces and delivery failures.
The four email routing options
Local Mail Exchanger
Use this if you host your email on your cPanel account. Emails sent to [email protected] are stored on your hosting server. This is the default setting for most cPanel users and requires no external mail service configuration.
Remote Mail Exchanger
Use this if you use an external email provider such as Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or Zoho Mail. Your cPanel server does not store incoming mail; instead, it routes all email traffic according to your MX records.
If you switch to a third-party provider, you will also need to:
- Obtain the correct MX records from your provider.
- Add any additional DNS records they require in cPanel - Zone Editor:
- SPF - prevents email spoofing.
- DKIM - verifies email authenticity.
- DMARC - reduces email fraud.
- Refer to your provider's own setup guide if you are unsure which records are needed.
Backup Mail Exchanger
Use this if your hosting account should act as a standby mail server. If your primary mail provider goes offline, your cPanel server temporarily holds emails and forwards them once the primary server comes back online.
Automatically detect configuration
This option attempts to choose between Local and Remote Mail Exchanger automatically, based on your MX records.
Automatic detection is not always reliable. Set your routing manually to avoid delivery issues.
MX records and email routing
MX records tell other mail servers where to deliver email for your domain. The table below shows how each routing option relates to your MX records.
| Routing option | Where MX records point |
|---|---|
| Local Mail Exchanger | Your cPanel server |
| Remote Mail Exchanger | Your third-party provider |
| Backup Mail Exchanger | Both your primary provider and your cPanel server (as a lower-priority backup) |
To view or update your MX records, go to cPanel - Zone Editor and filter by MX record type.
Why the right setting matters
Choosing the wrong routing option can cause:
- Emails bouncing or being rejected.
- Messages disappearing because they are delivered to the wrong server.
- Outgoing mail being flagged as spam or blocked.
To keep email delivery working correctly:
- Set the correct routing option in cPanel.
- Check and update your MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records whenever you change email providers.
- Test your setup after making any changes.
Not sure which option to choose? Our support team is available 24/7 - open a ticket and we will help you get it sorted.