How to log in to Plesk?

Applicable Platforms

• Plesk for Linux
• Plesk for Windows

Understanding the Core Question

This guide addresses the fundamental question of how to effectively access the Plesk interface through a web browser, providing comprehensive methods for both new and experienced users.

Accessing the Plesk Web Interface

You have several secure methods available to log in to the Plesk web interface. These include using your dedicated Plesk account credentials, the root or administrator password for your server, or generating a one-time login link via SSH.

Important Note: To ensure successful access to Plesk over HTTPS, it is crucial that the default port, 8443, is properly opened in your server's firewall. Failure to do so may prevent you from reaching the login page.

Logging in with Plesk Account Credentials

Follow these steps to access the Plesk web interface using your specific Plesk account username and password:

1. Open your web browser and in the address bar, carefully type the Plesk login page link. The standard format is: https://<Server hostname or IP address>:8443.

   SSL Warning Information: Upon navigating to the link, you might encounter an SSL warning. This typically indicates that a dedicated, trusted SSL certificate has not yet been installed on your Plesk server. For this initial access, it is generally safe to bypass this warning and proceed.

2. On the login screen, enter your designated Plesk account username and the corresponding password. For illustrative purposes, we often use admin as a common example username.

   

3. Click the Log In button to complete the process.

Upon successful entry of your credentials, you will be directed to the main Plesk web interface dashboard, granting you full access to its features.

Important Security Note: If access to Plesk has been deliberately disabled for the root user on your server, this particular login method will not be available.

Logging in with Server Root/Administrator Credentials

Alternatively, you can gain access to Plesk using the root password (for Linux servers) or the administrator password (for Windows servers). Follow these instructions:

1. Just as before, input the Plesk login page link into your browser's address bar. The format remains: https://<Server hostname or IP address>:8443.

   SSL Warning Information: Should an SSL warning appear, understand that it often signifies the absence of a properly installed SSL certificate. It is safe to proceed past this warning for initial access.

2. In the username field, enter root (for Linux) or administrator (for Windows), followed by the corresponding server password that you use for server connections.

   

3. Click the Log In button.

Successfully completing these steps will grant you access to the Plesk web interface, leveraging your server's administrative credentials.

Accessing Plesk via SSH and a One-Time Login Link

For advanced users or in situations where direct web access is challenging, logging into Plesk via SSH offers a robust alternative. This method involves first connecting to your Plesk server via SSH and then generating a unique, one-time login link.

1. Begin by establishing an SSH connection to your Plesk server. The choice of SSH client will depend on your operating system:

   • For Linux and macOS Users: You can utilize any preferred SSH client. Remember to configure appropriate permissions for your SSH key and place it in the designated directory for security.

     For example, using the terminal:

     chmod 600 ~/.ssh/my_ssh_key.pem
     ssh -i ~/.ssh/my_ssh_key.pem user@your_server_ip

   • For Windows Users: We highly recommend using PuTTY, a widely recognized and free SSH client. If you opt for PuTTY, you will need to convert your SSH key into PuTTY's specific `.ppk` format before use.

     PuTTY also provides a graphical interface for connection management, making it user-friendly.

2. Once you have successfully accessed the Plesk server via SSH, execute the following command in the terminal to generate a secure, one-time login link:

   # plesk login

   This command will output two distinct links, presented in the following formats:

   • https://<Server hostname>/login?secret=<session_token>
   • https://<Server IP address>/login?secret=<session_token>

3. Copy either of the generated links and paste it directly into your web browser's address bar to log in:

   • Initially, attempt to use the link that includes your server's hostname: https://<Server hostname>/login?secret=<session_token>.

   • If for any reason the hostname-based link does not work, proceed to use the link containing the server's IP address: https://<Server IP address>/login?secret=<session_token>.

     Note for NAT Environments: If your Plesk server operates behind a Network Address Translation (NAT) setup, the system might generate a link solely with a private IP address. In such cases, you must manually replace the private IP address with the correct public IP address before pasting the link into your browser.

   SSL Certificate Warning: As with other methods, an SSL warning may appear, indicating that a proper SSL certificate is not yet installed. It is safe to proceed past this warning for the purpose of logging in.

Further Assistance and Resources

Should you require additional support or information regarding Plesk access, the following resources may be helpful:

• I Forgot my Plesk User Account Password
• How to log in to Plesk on Amazon Lightsail/DigitalOcean using SSH keys

Credential Recovery: If you find yourself without your Plesk credentials or have forgotten them, please take the appropriate action:

• As a Plesk administrator, you should contact your server hosting provider for assistance with credential recovery.
• As any other user, please reach out to your Plesk administrator who can help you regain access.