# What Is the .htaccess File? > Canonical: https://jethost.com/kb/what-is-the-htaccess-file/ · Last modified: 2026-10-31T13:34:49+00:00 The .htaccess file is a small but powerful settings file used by the web server. It controls things like redirects, access rules, and caching for your site, without you needing to change the main server configuration. Because a single mistake in it can take a site offline, it pays to understand what it does and how to edit it safely. This guide explains it in plain words. Every [JetHost hosting plan](https://jethost.com/web-hosting/) includes cPanel File Manager, which is the easiest way to work with it. ## What the file is and does The .htaccess file is a configuration file read by Apache web servers. It lets you set rules for a folder and everything inside it. In everyday use it handles redirects (sending one address to another), security rules (blocking or allowing certain visitors), and caching instructions (telling browsers how long to keep copies of files). WordPress uses it to make clean, readable permalinks work. The name begins with a dot, which marks it as a hidden file. ## Where it lives For a standard WordPress site, the main .htaccess file sits in the site's root folder, which on most hosting accounts is the public\_html folder. You can have more than one: a folder deeper in the site can hold its own file with rules that apply only to that folder. Because the file name starts with a dot, it is hidden by default, so you need to turn on the option to show hidden files before you can see it. ## How to view and edit it safely 1. Log in to cPanel and open **File Manager**. 2. Click **Settings** in the top corner and tick **Show Hidden Files (dotfiles)**, then save. The .htaccess file will now appear. 3. Open the public\_html folder and find the .htaccess file. 4. Before you change anything, make a backup. Right-click the file, choose **Copy**, and save a spare copy, or download it to your computer. 5. Right-click the file and choose **Edit** to open the built-in editor, make your change, and save. 6. Check your site straight away. If anything breaks, restore the backup copy you saved. Always keep a backup before editing, since one wrong line can make the whole site show an error. If you are following instructions from a plugin or guide, add only what it tells you and nothing more. ## On JetHost hosting On JetHost hosting you can edit the .htaccess file through cPanel File Manager at any time, and our daily backups mean a bad edit is easy to undo. If you are not sure what a rule should contain or your site shows an error after an edit, open a ticket and our team will check the file for you. ## JetHost Experts Tip Always save a copy of the file before you touch it. Keeping a known-good backup turns a scary edit into a two-minute fix, because you can restore the original the moment something looks wrong. ## Frequently asked questions **Why can I not see the .htaccess file?**Because the name starts with a dot, it is hidden by default. In cPanel File Manager, open Settings and tick Show Hidden Files, then it will appear in the folder. **What happens if I delete the .htaccess file?**On a WordPress site, pretty permalinks and some redirects may stop working. WordPress can often rebuild a basic version from Settings and Permalinks, but keep a backup before removing it. **Do I need to edit .htaccess for a normal site?**Usually not. WordPress and most plugins manage it for you. You only edit it by hand for specific tasks such as a custom redirect, and even then with a backup in place. ## New Hosting Plan with 80% OFF Upgrade your website’s home without the heavy bill. Get new [hosting plan](https://jethost.com/web-hosting/ "Web hosting with free SSH access") with a huge 80% discount. Get free SSL, email accounts, and a control panel to manage your site. Enjoy fast performance, secure environment, and 24/7 support - all in one affordable package. ## Need more help? Unsure about editing the .htaccess file on a site you host with us? Open a ticket through Client Area → Support Tickets and we will handle it safely for you.