Introduction
The Resource Usage tool in cPanel (also known as CPU and Concurrent Connection Usage) provides insight into how your hosting account is consuming system resources such as CPU, memory, processes, and entry processes. It's an essential tool for shared or cloud hosting users to ensure their website stays within the limits defined by their hosting plan.
This article explains how to use the Resource Usage interface to identify performance bottlenecks, avoid account suspensions, and optimize your site for smoother operation.
Why Monitor Resource Usage?
Monitoring helps you:
-
Avoid exceeding CPU or memory limits set by your hosting provider
-
Detect high usage caused by traffic spikes, plugins, or scripts
-
Prevent temporary account suspension or throttling
-
Optimize website performance and page loading speed
-
Make informed decisions about upgrading your plan when needed
How to Access the Resource Usage Tool
-
Log in to your cPanel account
-
Scroll to the Metrics section
-
Click on CPU and Concurrent Connection Usage or Resource Usage
Overview Page
At the top of the page, you’ll see a Current Status box that shows whether your site has been hitting any limits.
-
“Your site had no issues in the past 24 hours” – Everything is running well
-
“Your site has been limited within the past 24 hours” – Resource limits were reached and performance was impacted
Click Details to explore the usage history.
Understanding the Usage Graphs
The Resource Usage tool shows daily/hourly graphs for:
| Metric | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CPU Usage | How much processing power your site is using |
| Memory Usage | RAM being used by scripts, processes, etc. |
| Entry Processes | Number of simultaneous connections (like PHP scripts or cgi-bin) |
| Number of Processes | Background processes running under your account |
| I/O Usage | Disk input/output activity (file read/write speed) |
| IOPS | Input/output operations per second |
| Faults | Errors when resource limits are exceeded (e.g., “Faults” in CPU/memory) |
Graphs typically show green for normal usage, orange/red when limits are reached.
Common Causes of High Resource Usage
-
Too many WordPress plugins or outdated themes
-
Poorly coded PHP scripts or CRON jobs
-
High bot traffic or DDoS attacks
-
Large file uploads/downloads
-
Backup processes running frequently
-
Excessive database queries or loops
What to Do If You're Exceeding Limits
-
Optimize your website:
-
Use caching plugins (e.g., LiteSpeed Cache, WP Rocket)
-
Compress images and static files
-
Minimize external scripts
-
-
Reduce traffic load:
-
Enable a CDN (e.g., Cloudflare)
-
Block bad bots via
.htaccessor firewall
-
-
Check for unnecessary plugins or cron jobs
-
Upgrade to a higher hosting plan if usage consistently hits the ceiling
-
Contact your hosting provider for help interpreting logs and graphs
Real-World Use Cases
| Issue | What Resource Usage Can Show |
|---|---|
| Site slows down during traffic spikes | High CPU and Entry Process usage |
| Backup scripts causing delays | Spikes in I/O or Processes |
| Malware or bots overloading server | Unusual spikes in all metrics |
| Shared hosting limits exceeded | Frequent red zones in graphs or faults |
Tips for Efficient Monitoring
-
Check weekly or after major updates or marketing campaigns
-
Combine with Awstats or Bandwidth tools for full traffic analysis
-
Keep an eye on Faults – they indicate dropped connections or blocked traffic
-
Use alerts or notifications (if your host supports it) when nearing thresholds
Conclusion
The Resource Usage tool in cPanel is essential for understanding how your website uses server resources. Regular monitoring can help you spot problems before they affect your visitors, optimize your site for better speed, and ensure compliance with hosting plan limits. It’s a must-use feature for maintaining a stable and efficient web presence.
