Advanced Cron Troubleshooting

If you have determined that the cron job is not completing in the previous article and are familiar with using the server's Command Line Interface (SSH), this guide shows how to identify the cause.

The cron.php script contains a number of options which can be called most easily via the server's command line, one of which increases the verbosity of the output. This can be helpful in identifying any errors which might be occurring.

First, access your WHMCS Admin area. Then, go to Configuration > System Settings > General Settings > Other, or Setup > General Settings > Other for WHMCS 7.10 and earlier.

Check Display Errors and then click Save Changes.

Tick the Display Errors checkbox

Next, navigate to Configuration > System Settings > Automation Settings (Setup > Automation Settings for WHMCS 7.10 and earlier).

Click on the Cron Status badge:

Cron Status Badge

In the modal which appears, copy the Cron Command :

The Cron Command

Access your server's Command Line Interface:

Connected to the server command line

Paste the Cron Command into the Command Line Interface. At the end of the command, add the following command and options:

all -F -vvv
Click to copy

The all command will execute all the tasks.

The -F option forces all the tasks to be executed, even if some of the daily tasks have already been performed today

The -vvv option sets the output verbosity level to maximum, meaning everything which can be output will be output.

You should now be ready to execute a command similar to:

php -q /home/v71whmcssupport/public_html/whmcs/crons/cron.php all -F -vvv
Click to copy
The command prepared for submission

Press Enter to execute the command.

On screen you will see the cron.php script progress through all 24 tasks and return a green [OK] Completed message at the end.

A successful execution of all daily cron tasks

The above screenshot shows a successful execution.

Any errors which might be output on-screen can be used to identify the cause of the cron not completing.

Explanations of common errors are available in our documentation. For help with cron frequency errors, see Resolving a Cron Invocation Frequency Warning.

WHMCS technical support can advise on the solution to errors which you may encounter, please include the full output when opening a support ticket.

If a successful execution is completed at the command line without any errors, continue to the Advanced Cron Troubleshooting - Intermittent Issues article for further troubleshooting steps.