Cron Configuration
Cron tasks must be created to automate tasks within WHMCS.
Cron is the name given to a system daemon used to execute tasks (in the background) at designated times. WHMCS has a number of files that are required to be run on a periodic basis in this way. All these files are located in the crons directory.
A single cron named the System Cron automates all core functions of the system including invoicing, reminders, suspensions and other daily automation tasks.
In WHMCS 6.3.x and earlier, the system cron should be configured to run no more than once per day. In WHMCS 7.0 and later, the system cron should be configured to run every 5 minutes, or as frequently as your web hosting provider will allow.
Contents
Setting Up Cron Jobs
The tutorials & screenshots below demonstrate how to configure the WHMCS cron on the most common hosting control panels.
You can obtain the exact cron command you should use for your installation from Setup > Automation Settings at any time.
The examples below will setup the cron to run at 9am every day.
cPanel
Click on the Cron Job icon in cPanel, select the Once A Day option from the Common Settings dropdown menu. Then paste the cron command into the Command field.
Alternatively click the Advanced (Unix Style) button and use the following:
| Option | Minute | Hour | Day | Month | Weekday | Command | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| a) | */5 | * | * | * | * | php -q /path/to/home/public_html/whmcspath/crons/cron.php | ||
| b) | */5 | * | * | * | * | wget -O http://www.yourdomain.com/whmcspath/crons/cron.php >/dev/null | ||
| c) | */5 | * | * | * | * | GET http://www.yourdomain.com/whmcspath/crons/cron.php |
Direct Admin
The command for Direct Admin is generally the same as cPanel, however, you need to reference the full path to the php binary.
This can be /usr/bin/php, /usr/bin/home/php or /usr/local/bin/php but this is dependent on the server setup and you should check with your Server Administrator for the full path to the php binary.
An example command to run is:
| Command |
|---|
| /usr/bin/php -q /home/demo_user/domains/testdomain.com/public_html/whmcspath/crons/cron.php |
| /usr/local/bin/php -q /home/demo_user/domains/testdomain.com/public_html/whmcspath/crons/cron.php |
| wget -O /dev/null http://domain.tld/path/to/cron.php |
| GET http://www.yourdomain.com/whmcspath/crons/cron.php |
DotNetPanel
Navigate to the hosting space in which WHMCS is installed and click Scheduled Tasks from the Hosting Space Menu, then click Add Scheduled Task.
From the Task Type dropdown menu select the Check Web Site Availability option and enter the URL of the cron.php file into the URL field. Use the Schedule options to run this task Daily and finally ensure it's active and running.
Windows Server
Depending on your server setup, you can run the cron directly from the php executable. If this is not possible, you would need to use the server browser to run the cron
An example command to run is:
| Command |
|---|
| C:\php\php.exe -q "C:\inetpub\wwwroot\whmcs7\admin\cron.php" |
| "c:\program files\internet explorer\iexplore.php" "http://www.yourdomain.com/whmcspath/cron.php" |
You should then set the task to run at a certain time every day. The time is up to you.
Plesk
You can specify the php command using the following on Linux Plesk:
env php -q /home/user/whmcs/crons/cron.php
The Windows version of Plesk is slightly different. You need to specify the path to the php executable and then specify the path to your cron.php file.
Check the appropriate boxes to run at the time you wish and press ok to save.
Helm
InterWorx
