How to create a reseller account in WHM as root

In WHM a reseller is a normal cPanel account with extra privileges that let it create and manage its own cPanel accounts. As root you create the account, grant reseller status, then set limits and privileges in the Reseller Center.

MdmHost manages these server settings on shared, reseller and master reseller plans. This guide is for administrators of their own cPanel VPS or dedicated server with root access.

Before you start

• Root access to WHM.
• A package for the reseller's own cPanel account.
• An ACL list with the privileges resellers should get (see reseller ACL lists).

Create the account with reseller status

1. Go to WHM → Account Functions → Create a New Account (see creating a cPanel account).
2. Fill in domain, username, password, email and package.
3. Under Reseller Settings, tick Make this account a reseller. Optionally tick Make the account own itself so the reseller can manage its own cPanel account from WHM.
4. Click Create.

To upgrade an existing account instead, use WHM → Resellers → Add Reseller Privileges (on newer versions this lives in Reseller Center), select the account and confirm.

Set limits and privileges

1. Go to WHM → Resellers → Reseller Center.
2. Choose the reseller and click Edit Reseller Nameservers and Privileges.
3. Account Creation Limits: maximum number of accounts, and optionally which packages they may use.
4. Resource Limits: disk space and bandwidth in MB, and whether Overselling is allowed (see overselling explained).
5. Privileges: apply your ACL list, or tick privileges individually.
6. Nameservers: enter the nameservers the reseller's accounts should use, such as branded ones (see private nameservers).
7. Click Save All Settings.

Test the reseller login

1. Log in to WHM at port 2087 with the reseller's username in a private window.
2. Check that only the expected menu items show, and try creating a test package and account.

Hand the reseller the end-user guides, for example logging in to WHM and creating packages.

Add CPU and memory limits

Reseller Center limits disk, bandwidth and account count only. On CloudLinux, give the reseller a CPU, memory and process pool in CloudLinux Manager (see CloudLinux Manager settings).

Troubleshooting

The reseller cannot see their own account

Enable account self-ownership: in Reseller Center use Change Ownership to make the reseller own its own account.

Reseller packages are refused

Package limits exceed the reseller's resource limits, or the reseller lacks the "add packages" privilege.

Frequently asked questions

Can I remove reseller status later?

Yes. Use Remove Reseller Privileges in WHM. Its customer accounts stay but are owned by root afterwards, unless you reassign them.

What about master or alpha resellers?

Plain WHM has only one reseller level. For multiple levels install WHMReseller (see the WHMReseller root guide).

Does a reseller need a dedicated IP?

No. Resellers and their customers can share the server's IP; SSL works through SNI.