Adding and managing Apache handlers

Apache Handlers control how the webserver manages certain types of file types and extensions.

By default, there are rules in place to handle .perl,.shtml, and .php files for example. You can add your own to adjust the behaviour of the webserver.

Adding a new Apache Handler

1. Log into cPanel.
2. Click on Apache Handlers under Advanced.
3. Under Create an Apache Handlers, you can fill out the following fields to define your new handler:
   Handler: which can be set to any of the following
   • default-handler – Sends the file using the web server’s default handler.
   • send-as-is – Sends the file as-is, no processing.
   • cgi-script – Processes the file as a CGI script.
   • imap-file – Parses the file as an imagemap rule file.
   • server-info – This will send the server’s configuration information.
   • server-parsed – This will send the server’s status information.
   • type-map – Parses the file as a type-map file.

   
   Extension(s): This is where you will input the file extensions you want to be handled. (e.g. “.html .php .txt”)

4. Click Add.

Removing an Apache Handler

Sometimes, having an Apache handler can cause 403 errors on your website, or may no longer be needed. To remove a Apache Handler, theres two ways you can do this:

Via the Apache Handler tool

1. Log into cPanel.
2. Click on ‘Apache Handlers’ under ‘Advanced’
3. Under User Defined Apache Handlers, click on ‘Delete’ next to the handler you would like to remove.

Manual removal via File Manager

To remove an Apache Handler manually follow these steps:

1. Log into cPanel.
2. Click on File Manager.
3. Click on Settings and ensure that ‘Show Hidden Files’ is checked. Click on ‘Save’.
4. Next, navigate to your websites folder (usually the public_html folder).
5. From the list of files, right click on the file ‘.htaccess’ and click ‘Edit’
6. Find the line that starts with “AddHandler” and either comment the line out (type a ‘#’ symbol at the start) or remove the line entirely.
7. Click on ‘Save Changes’ at the top.