How to Fix WHM “Connection Refused” Error During cPanel Migration or Transfer

Why does the WHM Transfer Tool show “Connection Refused” when transferring accounts between servers?

When using the WHM Transfer Tool to move accounts from one server to another, you might see an error like this:

(XID xxxxxx) The system failed to connect to the remote server on port “3772” because of an error: Operation already in progress 
Failed to establish session and parse security token: 599 Internal Exception 
(Could not connect to '<hidden server address>:2087': Connection refused) 

This error means that your server could not open a secure WHM connection (port 2087) to the other server. The transfer process stops before it can even start moving the data.

Common Reasons and Solutions:

1. Firewall blocking the connection

   • Firewalls on either the source or destination server can block the connection. Check that both servers allow(whitelist) each other’s IP addresses in their firewall settings(CSF).

     In cPanel servers with ConfigServer Security & Firewall (CSF), you can whitelist the other server’s IP from WHM:

     • Go to WHM → Plugins → ConfigServer Security & Firewall → Quick Allow

     • Enter the other server’s IP and click “Quick Allow”

      

2. Wrong SSH port

   • The Transfer Tool needs to connect to the correct SSH port on the remote server.

   • If the remote server is using a non-default SSH port, enter that port number in the Transfer Tool’s connection settings.

3. Cloudflare proxy on the hostname

   • If your source or destination server’s hostname is routed through Cloudflare, the Transfer Tool may connect to Cloudflare instead of the actual server.

   • To fix this, use the server’s direct IP address in the Transfer Tool, or turn off the proxy (“grey cloud”) for the hostname in Cloudflare’s DNS settings.

If you are not comfortable troubleshooting cPanel or Linux server issues on your own, the fastest solution is to hire an experienced administrator. At Ucartz, we offer instant hire options for cPanel/Linux experts who can fix your transfer errors, configure your firewall, and handle the entire migration process for you.

Whether you need one-time help or ongoing server management, our team can take care of your server 24/7, so you can focus on running your business without downtime or technical headaches.

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