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06 Numbers and Powers

How to Use Hostinger Agent in the VPS Web Console

Card No. 06·64176 · Updated · Standard formula, shown below

Hostinger’s VPS web console gives you browser-based access to your server’s command line without needing an SSH client. The Hostinger Agent is a built-in tool that helps you manage your VPS — checking status, viewing logs, and running common maintenance tasks — directly from that console. This guide walks you through accessing the console, using the agent’s commands, and getting the most out of it.

What You’ll Need

  • An active Hostinger VPS plan (any tier).
  • Your Hostinger account login credentials.
  • A modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari).
  • Your VPS must be powered on (you can start it from the hPanel if it’s off).

Step-by-Step

  1. Log in to hPanel. Go to hpanel.hostinger.com and sign in with your Hostinger account credentials.
  2. Navigate to your VPS. In the left sidebar, click VPS (or Servers depending on your hPanel version). You’ll see a list of your VPS instances. Click on the one you want to manage.
  3. Open the web console. In the VPS management page, look for a button labeled Console or Browser Console. It’s usually in the top-right corner or under the Overview section. Click it. A new browser tab or a pop-up window will open, showing a terminal-like interface.
  4. Log in to the console. If prompted, enter your root username (usually root) and your root password. If you don’t have the password, you can reset it from hPanel (under Access → Root password). Once logged in, you’ll see a shell prompt like root@vps:~#.
  5. Check the Hostinger Agent status. The agent should be running automatically. To verify, type the following command and press Enter:
    hostinger-agent --status
    You should see output indicating the agent is active and the version number.
  6. View system information. The agent provides a quick summary of your server. Run:
    hostinger-agent info
    This shows your OS, kernel, CPU, memory, and disk usage in a readable format.
  7. Check service status. To see if critical services (like Apache, Nginx, MySQL) are running, use:
    hostinger-agent services
    It lists each service with a green (running) or red (stopped) indicator.
  8. Restart a service. If a service is down, you can restart it directly through the agent. For example, to restart Nginx:
    hostinger-agent restart nginx
    Replace nginx with the actual service name (e.g., apache2, mysql).
  9. View recent logs. To troubleshoot issues, check the agent’s own log or system logs. For the agent’s log:
    hostinger-agent logs
    For system logs (like syslog), you can still use standard commands like tail -f /var/log/syslog.
  10. Run a health check. The agent can perform a quick self-diagnostic. Use:
    hostinger-agent health
    This checks disk space, memory, and load average, and reports any warnings.
  11. Update the agent. Hostinger periodically updates the agent. To update it manually, run:
    hostinger-agent update
    You’ll need to confirm the update. It’s safe to do at any time.
  12. Exit the console. When done, type exit and press Enter to close the session. Then close the browser tab.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the wrong username. The web console might ask for a username. Use root unless you created a different sudo user.
  • Typing commands with typos. The agent commands are case-sensitive. hostinger-agent info works, but Hostinger-Agent Info will fail.
  • Forgetting to press Enter after pasting. When you paste a command into the console, it doesn’t execute until you press Enter. Some users paste and wait, thinking it ran.
  • Assuming the agent is installed. On very old VPS templates, the agent might not be pre-installed. If you get “command not found,” you may need to install it manually (see Troubleshooting).
  • Restarting a service that isn’t critical. Restarting a database like MySQL can cause a brief downtime for your sites. Do this during low traffic.

Tips

  • Use the console for quick tasks. It’s perfect for checking status or restarting a service, but for complex work (like editing config files), consider using a full SSH client for better copy/paste and session persistence.
  • Keep your root password strong. The web console exposes your server to anyone with your hPanel access. Use a strong, unique password and enable two-factor authentication on your Hostinger account.
  • Use the agent’s help. Type hostinger-agent --help to see all available subcommands. It’s the fastest way to discover features.
  • Combine with standard Linux commands. The agent is a convenience layer, but you can always use normal commands like df -h, free -m, or top for more detailed info.
  • Regularly update the agent. Updates often include bug fixes and new features. Set a reminder to run hostinger-agent update monthly.

Troubleshooting

  • “hostinger-agent: command not found” — The agent isn’t installed. On Ubuntu/Debian, run apt update && apt install hostinger-agent. On CentOS/AlmaLinux, use yum install hostinger-agent. If it’s not in the repos, contact Hostinger support for the correct installation method for your OS.
  • Console opens but doesn’t accept input. Try clicking inside the terminal area first. If it’s still frozen, close the tab and reopen the console. If it persists, try a different browser or disable browser extensions that might interfere.
  • “Permission denied” when running agent commands. Make sure you’re logged in as root or a user with sudo privileges. If you’re not root, prefix commands with sudo, e.g., sudo hostinger-agent status.
  • Agent reports “service not found” for a service you know exists. The agent might use a different name. Check the exact service name with systemctl list-units --type=service and use that name.
  • Console is very slow or laggy. This is usually a network issue. Refresh the page, or try a wired connection. You can also use a standard SSH client as a fallback.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Hostinger Agent the same as the hPanel file manager?

No. The agent is a command-line tool inside your VPS. The file manager is a graphical interface in hPanel for uploading/downloading files. They serve different purposes.

Can I use the Hostinger Agent from my local terminal via SSH?

Yes. The agent is installed on the server, so you can run the same commands over a regular SSH connection. The web console is just one way to access it.

Does the Hostinger Agent cost extra?

No. It’s a built-in utility included with your VPS plan. There’s no additional charge.

What if I break something using the agent?

Most agent commands are read-only or safe (like restarting a service). If you accidentally stop a critical service, you can use the console to start it again. For major issues, you can reinstall the OS from hPanel, but that will erase your data.

Can I disable the Hostinger Agent?

Yes, you can stop it with systemctl stop hostinger-agent, but it’s not recommended because it helps with server management and diagnostics. You can re-enable it with systemctl start hostinger-agent.

How do I update the Hostinger Agent?

Run hostinger-agent update in the console. It will check for the latest version and install it if available. You may need to restart the agent afterward with systemctl restart hostinger-agent.

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