Updated: 22 October 2026 · Applies to: cPanel autoresponders
An autoresponder sends an automatic email reply for a chosen period, for example while someone is on leave. Here is how to add or edit one in cPanel for a limited time window.
Add or edit an autoresponder
- In cPanel, open Email > Autoresponders, and select the domain to add or edit an autoresponder for.
- Click Add Autoresponder to create a new one, or Edit next to an existing one to change it.
- Choose a character set from the Character Set menu.
- Set the Interval, in hours, between repeat responses to the same sender.
- Enter the Email address this autoresponder answers for.
- Enter the From name to show on the reply.
- Enter the Subject of the reply.
- Tick HTML if the message body contains HTML tags.
- Enter the reply text in the Body field.
- Choose a start time: Immediately or Custom.
- Choose a stop time: Never or Custom, to set the exact time period the autoresponder should run for.
- Click Create (or Modify, when editing) to save it.
Setting both a custom start and a custom stop time is what limits the autoresponder to a specific time period; leaving the stop time as Never keeps it running indefinitely.
Once the stop time passes, cPanel turns the autoresponder off automatically; you do not need to come back and disable it by hand. To check it is working before relying on it, send a test email to the address from an account outside your own mail system and confirm the automatic reply arrives.
