Domain already exists error while adding addon domain in cpanel

Domain already exists error when adding an addon domain in cPanel typically indicates that the domain you are trying to add is already present in the server’s configuration files or DNS records. This can happen due to various reasons such as the domain being previously added and not completely removed, or it being used in another account or service within the same server.

1. Check for Existing Domain

First, ensure that the domain isn’t already added as a main domain, parked domain, or subdomain in your cPanel account or another account on the same server may cause Domain already exists error.

• Addon Domains: Go to cPanel > Domains > Addon Domains and see if the domain is listed there.
• Subdomains: Check cPanel > Domains > Subdomains.
• Parked Domains: Check cPanel > Domains > Aliases (or Parked Domains).

2. Remove the Domain to resolve Domain already exists error

If the domain exists in any of the above sections, remove it from there. This will free it up to be added as an addon domain.

3. DNS Zone File

Sometimes, the DNS zone files for the domain may still exist, which can cause conflicts. You can check and delete the zone file if it is not needed anymore.

• Advanced Zone Editor: In cPanel, go to cPanel > Domains > Zone Editor and look for the domain. If it exists, you can remove the DNS records.

4. Apache Configuration

The domain might still be present in the Apache configuration files. This requires root access to the server.

• SSH Access: Use SSH to log in to your server and check the Apache configuration files, usually located at /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf or /etc/apache2/sites-available/.
• Remove Entries: Look for entries related to the domain and remove them if they are not supposed to be there.

5. WHM (Web Host Manager) Checks

If you have access to WHM, you can perform additional checks:

• List Accounts: Go to WHM > Account Information > List Accounts and see if the domain is associated with any account.
• DNS Zone Manager: Go to WHM > DNS Functions > Edit DNS Zone and check if the domain has an associated zone file.

6. Email Accounts

Check if there are any email accounts associated with the domain that might be causing the conflict.

• Email Accounts: Go to cPanel > Email > Email Accounts and check for any email addresses using the domain.

7. Restart Services

After making changes, you might need to restart certain services to apply the changes.

• Restart Apache: Use SSH to log in and run service httpd restart or service apache2 restart.

• Restart DNS: Restart the DNS service if necessary with service named restart or service bind9 restart.

8. Contact Support

If you have gone through all the steps and the issue persists, it might be best to contact your hosting provider’s support team. They can help identify if the domain is stuck in the server’s configuration or if there are any other underlying issues.

By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the Domain already exists error when adding an addon domain in cPanel.

Domain already exists error when adding an addon domain in cPanel can occur for several common reasons. Understanding these can help you troubleshoot the issue more effectively. Here are some of the most frequent causes:

1. Domain Already Added as an Addon, Parked, or Subdomain
   Addon Domain: The domain might already be added as an addon domain in the current or another cPanel account on the same server may cause Domain already exists error.
   Parked Domain: The domain could be parked (also known as an alias) on another domain.
   Subdomain: The domain might be set up as a subdomain within the same or another account.
2. Incomplete Removal of the Domain
   If the domain was previously added and then removed, some residual entries might still exist in the server’s configuration files or DNS records cause Domain already exists error.
3. DNS Zone File Exists
   The DNS zone file for the domain may still exist on the server, causing a conflict when trying to add the domain again cause Domain already exists error.
4. Email Accounts Associated with the Domain
   Existing email accounts using the domain can sometimes cause conflicts cause Domain already exists error.
5. Apache Configuration Entries
   The domain might still be listed in Apache’s configuration files, which can cause conflicts when re-adding the domain cause Domain already exists error.
6. WHM (Web Host Manager) Entries
   If you’re using a WHM-managed server, the domain might be associated with another account or listed in WHM’s DNS zones cause Domain already exists error.
7. Incorrect Domain Spelling or Typo
   A simple typo or incorrect spelling when adding the domain can cause cPanel to think the domain already exists cause Domain already exists error.
8. Temporary Server or cPanel Glitches
   Occasionally, server or cPanel software glitches can result in this error. Restarting the relevant services or the server might help resolve the issue cause Domain already exists error.