How to optimize database via phpMyAdmin in cPanel?

Updated: 28 September 2026 · Applies to: phpMyAdmin 5.2 in cPanel & WHM 138

Optimizing rebuilds tables to reclaim unused space and tidy their indexes. It helps after deleting a lot of data, for example old logs or spam comments.

Steps

1. Log in to cPanel (for example at https://yourdomain.com:2083, or from the Ucartz client area).
2. Open Databases › phpMyAdmin and click the database in the left panel.
3. Below the table list, click Check all (or tick specific tables).
4. In the With selected menu, choose Optimize table.

For InnoDB tables phpMyAdmin reports "Table does not support optimize, doing recreate + analyze instead" followed by OK. That is expected: the table was rebuilt.

Note: Tables are locked while they are optimized, which can briefly slow a busy site. Large tables are best optimized at quiet times.