How to Install MyBB Forum via Softaculous in cPanel?

Open cPanel, launch Softaculous, pick MyBB, click Install, complete the form, and leave “In Directory” blank if you want it at your domain root. When it finishes, use the admin link Softaculous shows to log in.

Before you start

• Check your cPanel account meets MyBB 1.8 requirements: a supported PHP and database with required PHP extensions. If you are unsure, open a support ticket and we will confirm.
• Decide the exact domain and folder you want. For example.com at the root, plan to leave “In Directory” empty.
• If that folder already has a site, make a backup before you proceed. If you want us to review your backup plan, open a support ticket.

Step 1: Open Softaculous in cPanel and choose MyBB

1. Log in to your Hostworld cPanel.
2. Find and open the Softaculous Apps Installer.
3. Locate MyBB, open it, then click Install.

Undo: If you opened the installer by mistake, close it. No changes are made until you run the install.

Step 2: Complete the MyBB install form carefully

This form controls where and how MyBB is installed. Fill it in with care.

• Choose Protocol and Domain: Pick https or http, and the correct domain.
• In Directory: Leave blank to install at the domain root. Enter a folder name, for example forum, to install at example.com/forum.
• Database name: Accept the default or set a name you recognise.
• Admin account: Set the admin username, strong password and email. Save these details somewhere safe.
• Language: Choose your preferred language.
• Backups: If you see Automated Backups options, you can enable them and choose a rotation. Backups use your account disk space.
• Auto upgrade: If available for MyBB, you can enable it so Softaculous upgrades when a new version appears in Softaculous. This is convenient, but upgrades can affect customised themes or plugins. Back up first.

Undo: If you pick the wrong domain or directory and only notice later, remove the installation from Softaculous and reinstall to the right place. Restore from your backup if you overwrote anything. If you want us to check the target path before you proceed, open a support ticket.

Step 3: Install and use the admin link Softaculous provides

1. Click Install. If Softaculous reports “files already exist”, it has found conflicting files, for example an existing index.php:
   • Tick “Overwrite Files” only if you have a current backup and are certain the path is correct. This replaces conflicting files.
   • Or cancel and remove or rename the existing files, then run the install again.
2. When the install completes, Softaculous shows your forum URL and the Admin URL. Use those links rather than guessing the path.

Undo: To roll back, remove the installation from Softaculous and use the backup you created to restore your site. If you need help restoring a backup, open a support ticket.

If it does not work

• “Files already exist” stops the install: Either back up, tick “Overwrite Files” and continue, or clear the target folder then re-run the installer. To revert, use your backup to restore the previous site state.
• Installed to the wrong place: If your forum is at example.com/forum but you wanted example.com, uninstall from Softaculous and reinstall with “In Directory” left blank. If you later move a working forum between folders or domains, incorrect cookie settings can cause login or logout loops. See MyBB’s guidance on cookie domain and path: fix login problems.
• Softaculous only offers an older MyBB: Softaculous can lag behind upstream. As of 16 September 2026, MyBB 1.8.41 is current. You can install what Softaculous offers and upgrade later from its Outdated Installations view when the new version appears, or wait. If you want us to check the version on your cPanel, open a support ticket.

What next

Keep MyBB updated. Use Softaculous’ Outdated Installations view to apply upgrades when available. Consider enabling Auto Upgrade if your forum is not heavily customised, but keep backups in place.

If you plan to move the forum to a VPS later, see our VPS guides and our Linux VPS. If you want us to review your backup and upgrade plan before you proceed, open a support ticket.