The error “cPanel failed to execute wp-cli command” typically indicates that the cPanel account is unable to successfully run a WordPress command-line interface (wp-cli) command. Here, we’ll see how quickly our cPanel & WHM Support Services fix the issue for our Customers.

Overview

1. Fixing “cPanel failed to execute wp-cli command”
2. Common Causes & Fixes
3. Common Error Scenerios
4. Debugging Tips
5. Conclusion

Fixing “cPanel failed to execute wp-cli command”

Encountering the “cPanel failed to execute wp-cli command” error means your cPanel can’t successfully run WP-CLI commands for WordPress. Here’s a quick guide on common causes and fixes.

Common Causes & Fixes

1. Incorrect File or Directory Permissions

Cause: WP-CLI can’t access files due to restrictive permissions.

Fix: Set files to 644 and directories to 755:

find /path/to/wordpress -type f -exec chmod 644 {} \;
find /path/to/wordpress -type d -exec chmod 755 {} \;

2. PHP Path Issues

Cause: WP-CLI needs the correct PHP path.

Fix: Verify the PHP path:

which php

Adjust your .bashrc or specify the PHP version directly in commands if needed.

3. Memory or Execution Time Limits

Cause: Bulk actions can fail due to low memory or time limits.

Fix: Increase limits in php.ini:

memory_limit = 256M
max_execution_time = 300

4. Shell Access Restrictions

Cause: WP-CLI needs SSH access.

Fix: Ensure shell access is enabled or contact your hosting provider.

5. Outdated or Incorrect WP-CLI Installation

Cause: WP-CLI is improperly installed or outdated.

Fix: Update WP-CLI:

curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wp-cli/builds/gh-pages/phar/wp-cli.phar
chmod +x wp-cli.phar
sudo mv wp-cli.phar /usr/local/bin/wp

6. Missing or Corrupted Config Files

Cause: WP-CLI needs the wp-config.php file.

Fix: Ensure wp-config.php is correctly set up or restore from a backup.

7. cPanel or Server Configurations

Cause: Settings like suPHP or mod_security may block WP-CLI.

Fix: Review cPanel and Apache error logs, and verify configurations.

Common Error Scenarios

• Permission Issues: Error says, “Could not create directory.”
• Memory Limit: “Allowed memory size exhausted.”
• PHP Version Mismatch: “PHP version not supported.”

Debugging Tips

• Check Logs: cPanel or WP-CLI logs can provide more insights.
• Run WP-CLI Manually: Test the command via SSH to see if it’s cPanel-related.
• WordPress Health Check: Review the Site Health tool (Tools > Site Health) for configuration issues.

[Need to know more? Get in touch with us if you have any further inquiries.]

Conclusion

By identifying the specific issue and applying the right fix, you can quickly resolve WP-CLI execution errors in cPanel, ensuring smooth WordPress management.