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World desk9 min

Free hosting provider 000webhost closes

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If you’re using 000webhost for a live site, the news that 000webhost closes isn’t just administrative. It can quickly turn into downtime, broken logins, lost database connections, and failed email delivery if your domain’s DNS still points to it.

This guide is a practical migration playbook: what to do right now, how to export files and databases, how to update configurations, and how to cut over your domain with minimal risk.

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Because your setup matters, you’ll see separate workflows for static sites, PHP apps, and WordPress. If you follow the checklists, you’ll be able to move even under time pressure.

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What it means that 000webhost closes

When a hosting provider closes, the typical failure chain looks like this: storage gets frozen or removed, PHP/HTTP services stop responding, databases go offline, and DNS and SSL may stop renewing. Even if your domain still resolves, the content may 404 or error.

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For most users, the risk isn’t theoretical—your site can go dark before you’ve finished copying data. That’s why your first goal is to regain control of the website files and database dumps.

Before you move: inventory your site and dependencies

Spend 10–20 minutes confirming exactly what runs on 000webhost. This prevents “migrated files but no data” problems later.

Record these details

  • Domain name: the exact domain and subdomains (e.g., example.com, www.example.com, blog.example.com).
  • Account access: can you still log into the 000webhost control panel and FTP?
  • App type: static site, PHP app, WordPress, Joomla, custom framework.
  • Database: database name, username, host (often localhost), and whether you use MySQL or MariaDB.
  • Tech versions: PHP version and any major dependencies (caching plugins, SMTP settings).
  • Email: are you using 000webhost’s email accounts or only web hosting?
  • SSL: whether SSL is managed by the host (common) or by your own provider.

Know where your data lives

Most hosting setups fall into two buckets: files (your code, themes, uploads) and data (databases, user accounts, posts, settings). Both must be moved.

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Emergency actions if your site is already failing

If 000webhost’s website or database is down, your job is to recover whatever you can before the provider fully deactivates the account.

Do these immediately

  1. Try logging into the 000webhost control panel and note any export tools for files and databases.
  2. If FTP still works, download your website directory to your computer (at minimum, public_html or the document root).
  3. If database access still exists, export a full database dump from the panel (e.g., phpMyAdmin export) as a .sql file.
  4. Capture config values you may forget: database credentials, site URL, and SMTP settings.
  5. Stop editing anything in production until you have backups of both files and data.

Migration options after 000webhost

You have a few viable paths depending on how your site is built and how much time you have. The safest path is the one that preserves your files, your database, and your URLs.

Common options

  • Move to a paid shared host: best balance of reliability, support, and uptime.
  • Move to VPS: for bigger sites or custom setups that need more control.
  • Move to managed WordPress hosting: fastest for WordPress sites.
  • Move to cloud object/file storage + CMS: only if your app architecture supports it.

If you’re specifically hunting for another free host, be cautious: many “free” providers limit bandwidth, suspend accounts, or change policies without notice. For anything you can’t afford to lose, prioritize a low-cost paid plan over free.

Step-by-step: move a website using cPanel or file hosting

This workflow covers static sites and most PHP apps where you mainly need to copy files into a new hosting account.

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Step 1: export your site files

  1. Connect using FTP/SFTP or use the host’s file manager.
  2. Download the document root folder (commonly public_html). If you’re unsure, check which folder contains your index.php or index.html.
  3. Also download any subfolders used for assets (e.g., wp-content for WordPress, uploads for custom apps).

Verify downloads by checking file counts and sizes. A partially downloaded upload folder is a common silent failure.

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Step 2: upload files to the new host

  1. Log into your new hosting panel (often cPanel).
  2. Locate the “File Manager” or an FTP/SFTP account.
  3. Upload your files into the new document root (often /public_html).
  4. Confirm index.html or index.php is at the document root.

Step 3: verify configuration references

Many apps need configuration updates after you move them (database hostnames, site URLs, API keys). Search your files for old URLs or old hostnames.

For quick checks, use your local machine search for strings like 000webhost, example.000webhostapp.com, or the old site URL.

Step-by-step: move databases (MySQL/MariaDB) safely

Database migration is where most closures become outages—so do it carefully and verify before switching DNS.

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Step 1: export a database dump on 000webhost

  1. Open the 000webhost control panel.
  2. Find phpMyAdmin (or a database management tool).
  3. Select your database and export it as SQL (usually “Quick” export is fine, but “Custom” can be safer if the dump is large).
  4. Download the resulting .sql file.

Capture the database name, username, and host. If you don’t have those noted, you’ll need them later.

Step 2: create a database on the new host

  1. In the new host’s cPanel (or equivalent), create a new database.
  2. Create a database user.
  3. Assign the user to the database with appropriate privileges.

Step 3: import the SQL dump

  1. Open phpMyAdmin on the new host.
  2. Select the target database.
  3. Import the .sql file.
  4. If the import fails due to size/time, split the dump or increase limits if your new host allows it.

Step 4: update connection settings

Update your app’s config file with the new credentials (database name, username, and password). For WordPress, this is typically wp-config.php with keys like DB_NAME, DB_USER, and DB_PASSWORD.

Step-by-step: migrate WordPress without breaking permalinks

If you run WordPress on 000webhost, you’ll usually migrate 1) files and 2) database, then 3) fix URLs and permalinks.

Step 1: download the WordPress files

  1. Download the entire WordPress folder from the document root (including wp-admin, wp-content, wp-includes, and wp-config.php).
  2. Pay special attention to wp-content: it contains themes, plugins, and uploads.

Step 2: export/import the database

Use the database migration steps above. Ensure your new host supports the MySQL/MariaDB version your dump expects.

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Step 3: update wp-config.php

  1. On your local machine, open wp-config.php.
  2. Update database credentials to match the new host.
  3. Update the $table_prefix only if you know it was customized (most setups keep wp_).

Step 4: fix site URLs

After import, WordPress might still point to the old domain (including the old host’s app domain or old path). Do one of these:

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  • Preferred: update siteurl and home in the WordPress database tables (commonly wp_options or prefixed variant).
  • Alternative: use WordPress “Settings > General” once you can log in.

If the admin login works but front-end still redirects incorrectly, you usually have an old URL cached in database or a cached redirect.

Step 5: handle permalinks

Permalinks often break after moving. Once WordPress loads, go to WordPress Dashboard > Settings > Permalinks and click Save Changes without changing anything.

If you can’t access wp-admin, you can manually check for missing .htaccess rules (Apache) or the equivalent rewrite config in Nginx setups.

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Step-by-step: handle DNS and domain cutover

DNS cutover is the moment you switch users from 000webhost to your new host. This is why you should test your site using a staging URL first when possible.

Step 1: prepare on the new host first

  1. Upload files and import the database.
  2. Confirm the site loads using the new host’s temporary URL (often provided in onboarding emails or in the control panel).
  3. Validate forms, logins, and any API integrations.

Step 2: change nameservers or A/AAAA records

Depending on how your domain is managed, you’ll either change nameservers or update DNS records.

  • If your new host provides nameservers (e.g., ns1.yourhost.com), update them at your domain registrar.
  • If your domain uses direct DNS records, update the A record to the new IPv4 address and the CNAME for www to the new hostname.

Step 3: plan for propagation and caching

DNS changes typically propagate within minutes to a few hours, but caches can hold older results longer. To reduce risk:

  1. Lower TTL values if your DNS provider allows it (many people do this 24 hours before cutover).
  2. Perform the cutover during off-peak hours for your audience.

Post-migration checklist (what to test on Day 1 and Day 7)

Once the new site is live, verify the things visitors will notice immediately.

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Day 1 tests

  • Homepage: loads without redirects looping.
  • Authentication: login works (WordPress admin, account pages, password resets).
  • Forms: contact forms submit successfully (and spam filters aren’t blocking).
  • Media: images and downloads render from the new host.
  • Performance basics: no massive 404s in the browser console.

Day 7 tests

  • Database-backed pages: search results, product pages, blog archives.
  • Redirects: check 301/302 rules for SEO safety.
  • Backups: confirm the new host’s automated backups are enabled.
  • SSL: verify HTTPS works across the entire site (no mixed content).

Common mistakes and troubleshooting

Here are the failures you’ll see most often after a 000webhost closure and how to recover quickly.

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DNS points to the wrong place

Symptoms: domain resolves, but you get the old site, a blank page, or a default host page.

Fix: confirm A/AAAA or CNAME records match what the new host expects. If you changed nameservers, double-check at the registrar and clear local DNS cache.

Database connection errors

Symptoms: WordPress shows “Error establishing a database connection” or your PHP app throws DB authentication errors.

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Fix: verify DB_NAME, DB_USER, DB_PASSWORD, and DB_HOST. Also ensure the database user has privileges on the imported database.

White screen of death / 500 errors

Symptoms: blank page or HTTP 500 after importing files.

Fix: enable error logging in PHP (or check the new host’s “Errors/Logs” in the panel). Common causes include missing extensions, syntax errors, or incompatible PHP version settings.

404s after switching

Symptoms: pages load on the new host’s temporary domain but 404 after DNS cutover.

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Fix: revisit permalinks (WordPress) or rewrite rules. For WordPress, go to Settings > Permalinks > Save Changes. For custom apps, check .htaccess (Apache) or Nginx routing.

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Alternatives to 000webhost (practical choices)

If you’re searching for a free hosting provider replacement, consider how “free” is typically implemented: limited resources, restricted databases, or ads. For anything you care about long-term, a low-cost paid plan is often the safer route.

When choosing a replacement host, prioritize:

  • Database support: MySQL/MariaDB with reliable import/export limits.
  • PHP version compatibility: confirm your app’s requirements.
  • SSL support: automatic HTTPS is a must.
  • Backups: either automatic backups or easy manual backups.
  • Control panel: cPanel or a comparable tool with file manager and phpMyAdmin.

If you tell me what platform your site uses (WordPress, custom PHP, static HTML) and whether you have a custom domain or only a subdomain, I can narrow down the best migration path.

FAQs

Will my 000webhost subdomain stop working immediately?

Not always immediately, but it’s unpredictable. Once services are paused or storage is removed, both the site files and databases can stop responding. Treat it as urgent and export what you can now.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Can I move my site without changing my domain?

You can keep the same domain, but you’ll need to point DNS (nameservers or A/CNAME records) to the new host. The goal is to minimize downtime by testing first and switching DNS only when the site is ready.

Do I need to migrate email too?

Only if your email accounts are hosted there. If your domain’s mail exchanger (MX) records point to 000webhost, you must move them as well. If you use a separate provider (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, etc.), your web hosting migration won’t automatically affect email.

My SQL import worked, but the site still shows old content—why?

This usually happens when WordPress URLs are still set to the old domain, or when you have caching/redirect rules pointing elsewhere. Update siteurl and home (WordPress) and check for hardcoded URLs in config files.

What’s the safest way to cut over with minimal downtime?

Upload files and import the database first, test on the new host’s temporary domain, then switch DNS during a low-traffic window. Consider reducing TTL before cutover if your DNS provider supports it.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Bottom Line

000webhost closing is a deadline, not a suggestion. If you export your files and databases, validate your app on the new host, and then cut over DNS carefully, you can avoid prolonged downtime and preserve your content.

Start with inventory and backups today—then follow the migration steps that match your site type.

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