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How to Troubleshoot Addon and Subdomain Creation Failures in cPanel

Last updated on Aug 08, 2025

How to Troubleshoot Addon and Subdomain Creation Failures in cPanel

**Description:**This comprehensive guide helps Brixly shared hosting customers diagnose and resolve common issues preventing addon and subdomain creation in cPanel. It covers permission checks, configuration troubleshooting, and practical workarounds—no server admin access required.

Table of Contents

Common Reasons for Failure

  • The domain is not correctly pointed or registered.
  • An existing folder or DNS record conflicts with the new addon/subdomain.
  • You have reached the maximum allowed number of addon or subdomains.
  • The domain format is invalid or already exists on the server.
  • File or folder permissions are incorrect.
  • The domain is already assigned elsewhere (e.g., another cPanel account).

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

1. Confirm Domain Is Pointed Correctly

Before creating an addon domain or subdomain, ensure your domain’s DNS records are pointed to Brixly’s servers.

  • Check using online tools:DNS Checker to confirm propagation.
  • **Nameservers:**Use the nameservers provided in your Brixly welcome email.

2. Check for Existing Directories or DNS Records

cPanel will not allow you to create an addon/subdomain if a directory with the same name already exists.

  1. Open File Manager in cPanel.
  2. Look for a directory with the name of the addon or subdomain you wish to create (e.g., public_html/example).
  3. If found and not in use, delete or rename the folder.

Also, check for existing DNS records:

  1. Go to Zone Editor in cPanel.
  2. Look for any A, CNAME, or other records matching the intended domain/subdomain.
  3. Remove conflicting records if needed.

3. Review Account Limits

Shared hosting plans may restrict the number of addon domains or subdomains you can create.

  • In cPanel, check Statistics (sidebar) for “Addon Domains” and “Subdomains” limits.
  • If you’ve reached your limit, consider removing unused domains or upgrading your plan.

4. Validate Domain Format and Ownership

  • Addon domains: Must be a fully qualified domain name (e.g., myaddon.com).
  • Subdomains: Must be a valid prefix (e.g., blog.example.com).

**Important:**Addon domains cannot already exist as a primary, parked, or addon domain on any cPanel account on the server.

5. File/Folder Permissions

Incorrect permissions can block cPanel from creating the required directories.

  • Check File Manager:
    • Folders inside public_html should typically have permissions 0755.
    • If permissions are too restrictive, right-click the folder > Change Permissions.

6. Remove Conflicting Entries

If you previously tried to create the domain/subdomain and it failed, remnants may persist.

  • Delete partially created directories via File Manager.
  • Remove DNS records in Zone Editor.
  • Log out and back into cPanel before retrying.

7. Clear Browser and cPanel Cache

Sometimes, browser or cPanel cache can cause display issues.

  • Clear your browser cache or try an incognito window.
  • In cPanel, log out and back in before attempting again.

Troubleshooting Specific Error Messages

"A DNS entry for this domain already exists"

  • Remove conflicting DNS entries in Zone Editor.
  • Wait a few minutes, then try again.

"The domain is already pointed to an IP address that does not appear to use DNS servers associated with this server"

  • Update your domain to use Brixly’s nameservers.
  • Allow up to 24-48 hours for DNS propagation.

"You do not have permission to create subdomains of the domain"

  • Check your cPanel package limits.
  • If the domain is the primary domain of another cPanel account, it cannot be used as an addon.

"Sorry, you are not allowed to add any more addon domains"

  • You have reached your hosting plan’s addon domain limit.
  • Remove unused addon domains or upgrade your plan.

Practical Workarounds

  • **Subdomain as a Folder:**If you only need a folder (not a true subdomain), simply create a new folder under public_html (e.g., public_html/test).
  • **Use Aliases (Parked Domains):**If you want multiple domains to display the same website, use the Aliases feature in cPanel.

When to Contact Support

If you have:

  • Followed all the steps above and still cannot create the addon or subdomain
  • Encountered unexplained errors or server-side issues
  • Questions about your account’s domain/subdomain limits

Please open a support ticket via your Brixly Client Area.Include:

  • The domain/subdomain you are trying to add
  • Exact error messages
  • Steps you have already taken

By following this guide, you can resolve most addon and subdomain creation issues in cPanel. For persistent problems, our support team is ready to help!