How to Enable Remote MySQL Connections

Published 8 June 2026 · By Host Havoc Technical Support Team

By default, MySQL databases on Host Havoc web hosting only accept connections from the local server. To let an external application, such as a game server, a remote web app, or a database management tool, connect to your database, you need to whitelist its IP address in cPanel.

Before enabling remote access, make sure you have already created your MySQL database. If you only need to connect via FTP to manage files, see How to Connect via FTP instead.

Common error when remote access is blocked

If a remote application tries to connect without being whitelisted, it will receive an error similar to:

Access denied for user 'usernamehere'@'ip or host of client' (using password: YES)

Steps to whitelist an IP address

  1. Log in to cPanel.
  2. Under the Databases section, click Remote MySQL.
  3. In the Host field, enter the public IP address of the machine that needs to connect (for example, a game server's IP or your home IP).
  4. Click Add Host.
  5. The IP address now appears in the allowed hosts list. Connections from that IP will be accepted.

Note: If the connecting IP changes (for example, your home internet uses a dynamic IP), you will need to return here and update the whitelist each time.

Warning: Avoid adding % as a wildcard host unless absolutely necessary, as this allows connections from any IP address and significantly reduces database security.

Troubleshooting

Still getting access denied after whitelisting: Double-check that the IP you added matches the public IP of the connecting host exactly. Also confirm the database username and password are correct.