> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kb.hosting.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Configuring custom Apache Handlers

> Discover how to configure custom Apache handlers in cPanel safely with our step-by-step guide.

This article describes how to use cPanel to configure custom Apache handlers for your web site. Apache handlers are used to specify how certain file types are processed by the server.

## About Apache handlers

Apache is an open-source web server that is used to serve your web site's content. Apache handlers specify how certain types of files are processed by the web server. For example, by default Apache is configured to process files that have.pl extensions as Perl files. If you also wanted to process files that have.script extensions as Perl files, you could set up a custom Apache handler for your site.

<Note>
  People are sometimes confused about the difference between MIME types and Apache handlers. MIME types instruct the *browser* how to process files, whereas Apache handlers instruct the *server* how to process files.

  ❗️ Warning

  Adding custom Apache handlers can easily alter how your web site functions and cause unintended effects. If you need further assistance, please open a support ticket at [https://my.hosting.com](https://my.hosting.com).
</Note>

## Adding a custom Apache handler

To add a custom Apache handler, follow these steps:

1. Log in to cPanel.
   > 📘 Note
   >
   > If you do not know how to log in to your cPanel account, please see [this article](/docs/accessing-cpanel).

2. On the **Tools** page, in the **Advanced** section, click **Apache Handlers**:\
   ![](https://static.hosting.com/kb/kb-cpanel-jupiter-advanced-apache-handlers-icon.png)

3. Under **Create an Apache Handler**, in the **Handler** text box, type the name of the handler.

   > 👍 Tip
   >
   > To see a list of handlers available, you can view the **System Apache Handlers** at the bottom of the page.

4. In the **Extension(s)** text box, type the file extension or extensions that you want the handler to process.

   > 📘 Note
   >
   > You must add a period ('.') before the extension name.

5. Click **Add**. cPanel adds the custom handler.

## Deleting a custom Apache handler

You can delete custom Apache handlers at any time. However, you cannot delete system-wide Apache handlers.

<Note>
  Please contact our Support team at [https://my.hosting.com](https://my.hosting.com) if you are experiencing issues with a system-wide Apache handler.
</Note>

To delete a custom Apache handler, follow these steps:

1. Log in to cPanel.
   > 📘 Note
   >
   > If you do not know how to log in to your cPanel account, please see [this article](/docs/accessing-cpanel).

2. On the **Tools** page, in the **Advanced** section, click **Apache Handlers**:\
   ![](https://static.hosting.com/kb/kb-cpanel-jupiter-advanced-apache-handlers-icon.png)

3. Under **User Defined Apache Handlers**, in the **Actions** column, click **Delete** for the custom handler that you want to delete.

4. Click **Delete Handler**. cPanel deletes the custom handler.

## Related articles

* [MIME types](/docs/mime-types)

* [Configuring directory indexes](/docs/index-manager)

* [Error pages](/docs/custom-error-pages)