Large Database Backup Failures

Problem

Database backups are failing or timing out for your WHMCS installation.

Cause

The WHMCS installation’s large database size is preventing PHP from processing the backup. This is one of the most common reason for database backup failures.

As a database grows, it becomes too big for a PHP script like the WHMCS cron job to handle, due to the amount of data in it exceeding various server limits, usually when the database exceeds 20 MB. The size prevents the system from completing an FTP or email backup.

Solution

If your WHMCS installation is on a cPanel & WHM server, we recommend using the cPanel Backup option instead. The cPanel system processes can generate larger backup files without impacting the performance of your website.

When switching to cPanel & WHM or external backups, you must disable the FTP and email backup features. This prevents errors with the cron due to the large database size.

If you are not on a cPanel & WHM server, you can use an external tool like mysqldump to export your database.

For more information, see the MySQL Documentation.

Last modified: 2025 March 28