Fix "The WebSocket handshake failed" in Terminal

cPanel's Terminal fails when reached through a proxy subdomain. Use one of the addresses that connects directly.

cPanel's Terminal shows:

Error: The WebSocket handshake failed

Applies to shared, reseller and Premium hosting.

Why it happens

Terminal needs a WebSocket connection, which is a long-lived upgraded HTTP connection rather than an ordinary request.

Reaching cPanel through a proxy subdomain such as https://cpanel.example.com routes that connection through the web server, which does not pass the upgrade through. The page loads; the terminal cannot connect.

Use a direct address instead

Any of these connect to cPanel directly:

Address	Notes
`https://example.com:2083`	Port 2083 is cPanel directly. Most reliable
`https://server-hostname:2083`	Works even if the domain does not point here
`https://example.com/cpanel`	Usually works

If you are behind Cloudflare, use the server hostname on port 2083. Cloudflare does not proxy port 2083, so the connection goes straight to the server — and Cloudflare's own proxy is a second thing that can interfere with WebSockets.

If it still fails

A corporate network blocking port 2083. Try another connection.
A browser extension interfering. Test in a private window with extensions disabled.
Shell access not enabled on the account. Terminal requires it — see Connect over SSH.

Or just use SSH

Terminal is convenient but limited — no clipboard integration, and the session ends with the page. For anything substantial, connect over SSH from your own machine instead: Connect over SSH.