🔄 How to Continue Backing Up a Server to an Old Backup Archive After Reinstalling Acronis Agent or cPanel/WHM Plugin

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If you’ve reinstalled the Acronis Agent or the Acronis cPanel/WHM plugin (e.g., after an OS reinstall, server restore, or cPanel rebuild), this guide shows you how to resume backups to the same archive without starting from scratch.

🖥️ Environment

  • Acronis Cyber Protect Agent (standard Linux agent or WHM/cPanel plugin)
  • cPanel/WHM Plugin Installed (acronis-backup-cpanel)
  • Server previously backed up using Acronis (Cloud or local storage)
  • Plugin reinstalled or Acronis agent re-registered

🛠️ General Recovery Steps (Standard Linux Agent or Plugin)

🔹 Step 1: Reinstall Acronis Agent or Plugin (if not already)

For the WHM plugin:

wget https://dl.managed-protection.com/u/backup-cpanel/install.py
python3 install.py --token <YOUR_ACRONIS_REGISTRATION_TOKEN>

Replace <YOUR_ACRONIS_REGISTRATION_TOKEN> with your actual Acronis token.

This installs and registers the plugin with Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud.

🔹 Step 2: Reconnect to Existing Archive (Acronis Agent + Plugin)

Once the agent is installed and registered:

  1. Login to Acronis Cyber Protect Console
  2. Go to Devices → All Devices
  3. Find your reinstalled server. It may appear as a new device.
  4. If your original backup plan still exists, click it under Plans.
  5. Click Assign Devices → Assign the new instance of the server.

Acronis will attempt to reconnect the device to the existing backup archive, especially if the hostname or UUID matches the previous server setup.

🔹 Step 3: Confirm Backup Destination in WHM

  1. Log into WHM > Acronis Backup.
  2. Open Backup Settings.
  3. Confirm that the Backup Plan is active and correctly associated.
  4. Check that the backup destination is the same (e.g., Acronis Cloud).
  5. Trigger a manual backup to verify that the plugin uses the old archive.

🧠 Tips for Ensuring Continuity

  • If the hostname or UUID of the server has changed (common after a reinstall), Acronis may treat the device as “new.”
  • To manually associate with the old archive, go to:
    • Backups > Locations > Cloud Storage > Select the existing archive
    • Manually map the new server to the existing archive if available.
  • Avoid creating a new backup plan unless necessary.

🧪 Troubleshooting cPanel Plugin Reinstall Issues

Problem: Backups start from scratch after reinstall

✅ Solution:

  • Ensure the same registration token is used.
  • Try to assign the reinstalled server to the old plan manually via the Acronis Console.

Problem: WHM plugin shows no backups

✅ Solution:

  • Make sure the plugin is licensed and activated in the Acronis Cyber Protect portal.
  • Confirm the plugin is connected under WHM > Acronis Backup → Status.

🔄 Advanced: Re-associating With Old Backup via Console (if plugin fails)

If the plugin or GUI fails to pick up the old archive:

  1. In Acronis Cyber Protect console, go to:
    • Devices → Backup Storage
  2. Locate the old archive under the original server name.
  3. Click Recover or Continue Backup.
  4. Manually map the newly installed agent to the existing archive if prompted.

📌 Best Practices

  • Always document your Acronis device ID / hostname before reinstalling OS or agent.
  • Use custom naming conventions in Acronis to identify backups clearly.
  • If restoring from backups, prefer full system image restore to preserve UUIDs.

📚 References

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