How to configure Email Routing in cPanel

Category: cPanel

cPanel Email Routing defines whether mail for your domain is delivered on the same hosting server or through an external provider. Check it when you change MX records, use Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or another provider, or when the site is hosted here but mail lives elsewhere.

An incorrect setting can stop messages from arriving even when the MX records look correct. If you are not sure which option applies, confirm first where the domain receives mail.

Before you start

  • Have access to the cPanel account where the domain is added.
  • Confirm whether mail is received on this hosting account or through an external provider.
  • Review the domain’s current MX records before changing mail routing.
  • Avoid changing this setting during an active migration unless it is coordinated with support.

Check the current configuration

  1. Log in to cPanel.
  2. Open the Email section.
  3. Click Email Routing.
  4. Select the domain you want to review.
  5. Note which option is selected before you make changes.

If cPanel shows a warning or detects a value different from what you expected, also review the MX records in the domain’s active DNS zone.

Choose the correct option

  1. Use Automatically Detect Configuration when you want cPanel to decide based on the MX records visible in the local zone.
  2. Use Local Mail Exchanger if mailboxes are hosted on the same cPanel server.
  3. Use Remote Mail Exchanger if the domain receives mail through Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or another external service.
  4. Use Backup Mail Exchanger only if your provider told you this server should receive mail when the primary server does not respond.

For most shared-hosting accounts, the most common options are local when mail is hosted in cPanel and remote when MX records point to another provider.

Save the change

  1. Select the option that matches the domain.
  2. Review the selected domain again so you do not update the wrong one.
  3. Click Change or Cambiar, depending on your cPanel language.
  4. Wait for the confirmation message before leaving the screen.

After saving, cPanel should keep the selected option for that domain. If it changes back by itself, check whether Automatically Detect Configuration is reading different MX records than expected.

Verify that mail arrives correctly

  • The active MX records point to the provider where the domain receives messages.
  • Email Routing matches those MX records: local for cPanel or remote for an external provider.
  • A test email from Gmail or Outlook arrives in the correct mailbox.
  • If you use external mail, there are no immediate bounces from the local hosting server.

Common errors

  • External mail does not arrive after changing MX records: cPanel is still set to local; change it to Remote Mail Exchanger.
  • cPanel mailboxes stopped receiving mail: the domain is set to remote; switch back to Local Mail Exchanger if mailboxes are hosted on this account.
  • Automatic detection chooses an unexpected option: the MX records in the local zone do not match the active DNS zone; check where the domain manages DNS.

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