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.
If you are not on a cPanel & WHM server, you can use an external tool like mysqldump
to export your database.
Last modified: 2025 March 28