Logging in to Virtualizor to manage your VPS

You manage a Hostworld VPS in Virtualizor. You reach it from your Hostworld client area at portal.hostworld.uk, open the VPS you want, then use the Client Area Link to launch Virtualizor with single sign-on. You will not find VPS controls in cPanel or WHM, those are for shared and reseller hosting.

Before you start

• You need access to your Hostworld client area at https://portal.hostworld.uk/. This is our WHMCS system for billing, orders and support.
• If you have Two‑Factor Authentication enabled on your Hostworld account, have your second factor ready. WHMCS supports Time‑Based Tokens, Duo and YubiKey. You manage this in the client area under Security Settings.
• If your user is linked to more than one client account, you will see a Choose Account page right after login. You must pick the correct account before you will see any services.
• Virtualizor actions have consequences. Know these before you click:
  • Re-Install OS rebuilds the VPS and deletes all data. It creates a fresh VPS with no data. Only use this if you have backups you can restore.
  • Power Off is like pulling the plug. It can corrupt filesystems if writes are in progress. Use Stop or a normal shutdown first. Power Off is a last resort for unresponsive systems.
  • ISO boot requires you to set boot order and Stop then Start the VPS for changes to take effect. Leaving an installer ISO attached with CD first can make the server boot into the installer at the next restart.
  • Rescue Mode is for recovery when the OS is broken. It is not a normal boot.
• Our VPS management is in Virtualizor. Do not look for VPS controls in cPanel or Plesk. Those panels manage shared and reseller hosting, not VPS.

Step 1: Sign in to your Hostworld client area

You start in WHMCS at https://portal.hostworld.uk/. That is where your orders, invoices, tickets and service links live.

If you have forgotten your password

1. Click Forgotten Password on the login form.
2. Enter the email address on your Hostworld account. If you have set a security question, answer it.
3. Check your inbox for the verification email from WHMCS and click the confirmation link. The link is valid for 2 hours. Nothing happens until you click it.
4. Set your new password after following the link. If the 2‑hour window passes, start again from step 1.

If you use Two‑Factor Authentication

• Enter your 2FA code when prompted. WHMCS supports Time‑Based Tokens, Duo and YubiKey. You can enable or change these under Hello, Name! then Security Settings in the client area.
• Time drift on your device can cause token codes to fail. Ensure the clock on your phone or key device is correct.
• If you no longer have your 2FA device, open a support ticket. We will guide you through account verification and help you regain access.

Step 2: Choose the correct client account

After login, users linked to multiple client accounts see a Choose Account page. Pick the account that owns the VPS you want to manage. WHMCS does not show any services until you select an account. Users linked to a single account are associated with it automatically.

Step 3: Open your VPS service

Go to your list of services in the client area and select the VPS you want to manage. You will land on the product details page. For Hostworld VPS, the Virtualizor module appears here. It can show actions such as Start, Stop, Reboot, Power Off, Launch VNC and a link to open the full Virtualizor control panel.

Those inline actions can be handy. For full options, continue to Virtualizor using the Client Area Link.

Step 4: Launch Virtualizor with single sign‑on

From the VPS product page in the client area, use the Virtualizor Client Area Link. WHMCS provisions this link for your VPS. It logs you into Virtualizor without another password and opens the end‑user panel for that VPS.

• If you see the link, click it to open Virtualizor for that VPS.
• If the link is missing or does not work for your service, open a support ticket. Say which VPS you are trying to reach and what you saw.

In Virtualizor you can start, stop, reboot, launch VNC, mount ISOs, use Rescue Mode and, if needed, rebuild the OS. These are per‑VPS controls.

Step 5: Use the main controls safely

Here is what the common controls in Virtualizor do and what to watch out for.

• Start: Powers on a stopped VPS. Use this after you shut down the server.
• Stop: Requests a clean shutdown from the guest OS. Use this first when you need to stop the VPS.
• Reboot: Requests a clean restart from the guest OS.
• Power Off: Cuts power immediately. This is like unplugging a physical server. Filesystem damage is possible if writes are in progress. Only use this if Stop or Reboot do not work.
• VNC console: Opens an out‑of‑band console to the VPS. Use it if SSH is not available, if you are in the middle of an installer, or to fix boot issues. You can launch VNC from Virtualizor, and many services also expose Launch VNC on the VPS page in the client area.
• ISO management: Lets you attach an ISO, set a primary or secondary ISO, and choose boot order such as CD first, then Hard Disk. Stop the VPS, set the ISO and boot order, then Start it. After finishing the installer or tool, remove the ISO or set the disk to boot first. Leaving an installer ISO attached can make the VPS boot into the installer again.
• Rescue Mode: Boots a temporary rescue environment for recovery. Use this when the OS does not boot or the filesystem is broken. Exit Rescue Mode to boot your normal OS again.
• Re‑Install OS: Reimages the VPS. This deletes all data and creates a fresh VPS. Confirm you have backups and a plan to restore before you click this. If you are unsure, do not proceed.

Step 6: Prefer graceful actions from inside your server

You can trigger a clean shutdown or reboot from the OS itself. This reduces the risk of data loss compared to a forced power cut. Run the commands via SSH or the VNC console. These commands request a clean stop or restart from systemd.

Reboot the server cleanly

This asks systemd to restart the server now.

• AlmaLinux 9

sudo systemctl reboot

• Ubuntu 24.04

sudo systemctl reboot

Shut down the server cleanly

This asks systemd to power off the server.

• AlmaLinux 9

sudo systemctl poweroff

• Ubuntu 24.04

sudo systemctl poweroff

Check system time if you are troubleshooting

Accurate time helps with log correlation and scheduled tasks. It also avoids confusion when you are comparing panel actions with OS logs.

• AlmaLinux 9

timedatectl status

• Ubuntu 24.04

timedatectl status

If the VPS is responsive, prefer these in‑guest commands first. If the OS is stuck, use Stop in Virtualizor. Keep Power Off as a last resort.

Step 7: If you still cannot reach Virtualizor

• Check you are logging in at https://portal.hostworld.uk/ with the email on your Hostworld account.
• If needed, reset your password using Forgotten Password and the email confirmation link. The link expires after 2 hours.
• Confirm your 2FA device time is correct and enter the current code. If you have lost your 2FA method, open a support ticket.
• If you saw a Choose Account screen, make sure you selected the account that owns the VPS.
• If the Client Area Link to Virtualizor is missing or does not log you in, open a support ticket. Tell us the VPS name or hostname and what you see. We will check the service link for you.

What next

• Browse our VPS guides for practical tasks like using VNC, mounting an ISO, or recovering from a failed boot. We explain how to do these in Virtualizor and what to expect.
• Looking for a new server in the UK backed by our Maidenhead data centre operations team? See our Linux VPS plans.
• If you need help at any point, please open a support ticket. Tickets are linked to your account and services so we can see the full history.