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Which folder is my website root?

Last updated

IN SHORT

On Flashcloud cPanel hosting, the website root for your primary domain is public_html. Files placed directly inside public_html load when someone visits your site. Addon domains and subdomains each use their own dedicated folders, which you can check in the portal under Addon Domains or Subdomains.

Your website root is the folder your domain points to when someone visits it in a browser. For your main domain, that's public_html. If you're looking for the root of an addon domain, a subdomain, or you're just not sure which folder is live, the fastest way to check is File Manager in cPanel.

Finding your root folder in File Manager

Log in to portal.flashcloud.com, open your hosting service, then launch File Manager. Look for a folder named public_html, that's the document root for your primary domain. Anything you put directly inside it (like index.html or index.php) is what loads when someone visits your domain.

If your account has more than one site, don't assume every folder next to public_html is another website root. Folders like mail, logs, tmp, and .ssh are system folders, not content folders. Leave them alone unless you know exactly what you're editing.

Addon domains and subdomains have their own root

If you've added extra domains to your account through the Addon Domains tile in the portal, each one gets its own folder. The same applies to Subdomains: each subdomain typically gets its own folder too, though the exact path can vary depending on how it was set up.

The reliable way to confirm the exact path for any addon domain or subdomain is to check its entry under Addon Domains or Subdomains in the portal, so you don't have to guess.

Why "my site isn't showing up" is usually a wrong-folder problem

The most common cause of a blank page, a directory listing, or an old placeholder page is files sitting in the wrong folder, most often uploaded to the account's home directory instead of into public_html, or into the wrong addon domain's subfolder. If you're troubleshooting this:

  • Confirm which domain you're checking, then find its document root using the method above.
  • Open that exact folder in File Manager and confirm your index.html, index.php, or CMS files are directly inside it, not nested inside an extra subfolder (a common mistake when unzipping an uploaded archive).
  • If you're running WordPress, the same logic applies: wp-config.php and wp-content should sit in the domain's root folder, not one level down.

Using FTP or SSH instead

If you prefer connecting over FTP, your FTP account is scoped to a specific directory when you create it. Confirm it in FTP Accounts so you know you're pointed at public_html (or the right addon domain folder) before you start uploading. If you connect over SSH, your login typically lands in your home directory, with public_html reachable from there for the main domain, confirm the exact path in File Manager if you're unsure.

When to contact support

If you've checked the document root path in Addon Domains or Subdomains and your files are still not loading on the right URL, open a ticket through Support → New ticket in the portal. A real person can check the domain's actual document root on the server and confirm it matches what you're seeing in File Manager.

Common questions

Why is my site showing a blank or placeholder page?

Your files are likely in the wrong directory or nested in an extra subfolder. Check File Manager to confirm files like index.html or index.php sit directly inside your domain's document root, not in an extra folder or the home directory.

How do I find the root folder for a subdomain or addon domain?

Look at the Addon Domains or Subdomains list in the portal. Each domain displays its specific folder path there so you do not have to guess.

Can I edit or delete the mail and logs folders?

Leave them alone unless you know exactly what you are editing. Folders like mail, logs, tmp, and .ssh are system folders, not website content folders.

Which folder do I upload to over FTP?

Upload to the directory assigned to your FTP user. Check your path in FTP Accounts before uploading to ensure you are pointed at public_html or your addon domain's folder.

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