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Choose local or external email routing

Tell cPanel whether this server or an external provider handles a domain’s email.

Where Tools → Email → Email Routing

Before you start

  • Get the correct MX and routing instructions from your mail provider.
  • Record the current setting so you can reverse an incorrect change.

Steps

  1. 1

    Open Email Routing and select the domain if required.

  2. 2

    Read the current setting, shown in bold. Expand More beside an option for its explanation.

  3. 3

    Choose Local Mail Exchanger when this cPanel server hosts the domain’s mailboxes.

  4. 4

    Automatically Detect Configuration uses configured MX information. It does not fix unresolved or missing MX records; ask your provider if uncertain.

  5. 5

    Click Change when the intended option is selected. Update MX records separately in Zone Editor or at your authoritative DNS provider.

  6. 6

    Choose Remote Mail Exchanger when another provider hosts the mailboxes. Backup Mail Exchanger is only for a deliberately configured backup mail server.

    Local, Backup and Remote Mail Exchanger have different purposes.

Check it worked

  • Reopen the screen and confirm the intended setting is current.
  • Test external incoming mail and messages your website sends to an address on its own domain.