When your website shows a blank page, a "500 Internal Server Error" or a feature just stops working, the error log on your Instant Access Internet Services account usually says why. This guide shows how to check your website error log in cPanel, where to find PHP error_log files, and how to look at recent visitors to your site.
How to view the error log in cPanel
- Log in to cPanel and go to Metrics > Errors.
- The page shows up to 300 of the most recent web server errors for your domains, newest first.
- Reload your broken page in another tab, then refresh the Errors page. The line at the top is usually the one you need.
Each line shows the date and time, the visitor's IP address and the problem, such as a missing file or a blocked request. Common examples:
| Message contains | What it usually means |
|---|---|
File does not exist / No such file | A link, image or script points to a file that isn't there (a 404). |
Permission denied | A file or folder has the wrong permissions. Files should normally be 644 and folders 755. |
.htaccess / Invalid command | A mistake in your .htaccess file, often after adding a redirect or rule. |
client denied by server configuration | Access is blocked on purpose, for example by a password-protected folder or a rule in .htaccess. |
How to find PHP error_log files
PHP errors (the kind that cause a white screen or a 500 error on WordPress and other PHP sites) are written to a file named error_log in the same folder as the script that failed, rather than to the Errors page. Error logging is turned on by default.
- In cPanel, go to Files > File Manager and open
public_html. - Look for a file called
error_log. For WordPress, also checkwp-adminand the folder of any plugin or theme you suspect. - Right-click the file and choose View (or Edit). The newest entries are at the bottom.
Look for lines starting PHP Fatal error: they name the file and line number that failed, which often points straight at a particular plugin or theme. PHP Warning and PHP Deprecated lines are usually harmless on their own.
An error_log file can grow large and use up disk space. Once you've fixed the problem, it's safe to delete it; a new one is created if more errors happen.
PHP error settings are in Software > MultiPHP INI Editor: choose your domain on the Basic Mode tab to see display_errors, and use Editor Mode to check log_errors if you've changed it before. Keep display_errors off on a live site so visitors don't see error details, and leave log_errors on.
How to see recent visitors to your website
- In cPanel, go to Metrics > Visitors.
- Click the magnifying glass icon next to your domain.
- You'll see the latest requests to your site with the IP address, the URL requested, the time, the size, the referring URL and the browser (User Agent).
- Click the gear icon to add columns such as the HTTP status code. Use the search box to filter, for example by an IP address or a page name.
The Visitors page is handy for spotting a bot hammering your login page, checking whether a particular visitor reached your site, or finding which pages return 404 or 500 errors. It only covers recent activity; for monthly totals use AWStats. To download complete logs, use Metrics > Raw Access.
Troubleshooting
The Errors page is empty but my site still shows an error
The problem is probably in PHP, so check the error_log files described above. For WordPress, you can also turn on WP_DEBUG_LOG to write errors to wp-content/debug.log (see the white screen guide below).
I see lots of errors from IP addresses I don't recognize
Automated bots constantly probe websites for common weaknesses (for example requests for wp-login.php or .env files). These are normal background noise. Keep your software up to date, use strong passwords, and they are harmless.
Can I see errors older than the last 300?
Not on the Errors page. PHP error_log files keep everything until you delete them. If you need older web server logs for a specific problem, open a ticket.
Related guides
- How to Fix the WordPress White Screen and 500 Errors
- How to View Website Statistics with AWStats and Bandwidth
- File and Folder Permissions Explained (644 and 755)
- How to Change PHP Settings (memory_limit, upload_max_filesize)
- How to Show Hidden Files (.htaccess) in cPanel File Manager
Still stuck? Open a support ticket and the Instant Access Internet Services team will help.
