How to Check CPU and Memory Usage in cPanel

How to Check CPU and Memory Usage in cPanel

Introduction

Monitoring your CPU and memory usage in cPanel helps you identify if your hosting account is running out of resources. High usage can cause slow website loading or even errors like 503 or 508. By keeping an eye on these metrics, you can quickly take action before performance issues affect your visitors.

 Steps to Check CPU and Memory Usage in cPanel

1. Access Resource Usage

      Log in to your cPanel account, then go to the Metrics section and click on Resource Usage.

2. View Resource Details

 Once you open the Resource Usage tool, you’ll get a clear snapshot of your account’s          performance – including CPU load, memory (RAM) usage, and active processes.

• When everything is running smoothly, you’ll see a green notification confirming that no issues have been detected.
• If your account is under pressure, the system will highlight warnings and display usage graphs so you can quickly spot where the limits were exceeded.

Below this, you'll see a number of graphs that visually represent resource usage.

Key Resource Metrics in cPanel:

CPU Usage

You can use up to 100% of a CPU core. Occasional peaks are normal, but if the average stays at the limit, optimization is needed.

Memory (RAM) Usage

Shows how much RAM your processes are using. High usage isn’t always bad since Linux may cache data to speed things up.

I/O Usage

Measures how much data your account reads/writes to the server’s storage.

I/O Operations (IOPS)

Counts how many read/write operations your processes request (like opening files or accessing services).

Entry Processes

The number of concurrent connections (e.g., opening a web request). Too many can slow down your site.

Processes

The total number of running processes under your account, including entry processes.

Faults

Displays errors when limits are exceeded (CPU, Memory, I/O, etc.).

Why Your Website Might Hit Limits

• No Caching: Without a cache plugin, dynamic sites like WordPress put extra load on the server.
• Too Many Plugins: Extra or poorly coded plugins can slow down performance.
• Traffic Spikes: Sudden visits may push resource usage up. Using a CDN like Cloudflare can help.

What To Do if You Exceed Limits

1. Update your CMS, plugins, and themes.
2. Remove unnecessary plugins or extensions.
3. Apply caching and optimization.
4. If usage is still high, consider upgrading to VPS or a Dedicated Server.

Updated on: 30/10/2025