Knowledgebase

If phpMyAdmin fails to import your database—especially for large files over 128 MB—you can use SSH to import it manually. Follow these steps:

Step 1 - Upload the Database File

1. Ensure your database file is in .sql format.
2. Upload it to your website’s public_html folder using FTP or the File Manager in cPanel.
3. If you haven’t already, create a new database in cPanel or clear an existing one.

Step 2 - Connect to Your Server via SSH

1. Open a terminal and connect to your hosting account using SSH.
2. Navigate to the public_html directory by running:

   cd public_html

3. Verify that the database file is present by using:

   ls
   

   If the file is missing, check the File Manager in cPanel to ensure it's uploaded correctly.

Step 3 - Import the Database

Run the following command to import the database:

mysql -u database_username -p database_name < file.sql

For example, if:

• Database name = user_database
• Database username = user_admin
• Uploaded file = database.sql

The command will be:

mysql -u user_admin -p user_database < database.sql

You'll be prompted to enter the database password. Once entered, the import process will begin. The time required depends on the database size.

Step 4 - Confirm Completion

Once the import is finished, you’ll see a new command prompt line:

-bash-4.2$  

This indicates the process is complete. You can now check phpMyAdmin to verify the imported tables.