The Email Routing tool in cPanel is where you define how email messages are routed for a domain. In other words, this is where you choose whether emails will be delivered to the same server that hosts your domain or to an external mail server. Configuring Email Routing correctly is critical for the reliability and proper operation of your email.
Where to find Email Routing
To find it, log in to cPanel and go to the Email section. There you will find the Email Routing button. When you open it, you will see the domains registered in your account, as well as the available routing options.
Routing options
Email Routing provides four main options:
Local Mail Exchanger
Selected when the domain uses the same server for sending and receiving email. In this case, messages are delivered locally on your cPanel server. This is the most common option when you have active hosting and do not use an external mail service.
Backup Mail Exchanger
In this case your server acts as a backup mail server. That is, it temporarily accepts incoming emails and delivers them to your primary mail server as soon as it becomes available again. This option is used less often and requires special MX record settings.
Remote Mail Exchanger
Selected when your domain's emails are hosted with another provider. For example, if you use Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 or another external mail host, you must set Email Routing to Remote Mail Exchanger so that your server does not try to deliver messages locally.
Automatically Detect Configuration
Allows the system to automatically detect which option is correct, based on the MX records you have set. If the MX points to the same server, Local will be selected; if it points to an external provider, Remote will be selected. Although it is a useful option, we recommend always checking manually to avoid mistakes.
How Email Routing relates to MX Records
Email Routing is directly linked to your domain's MX records.
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If the MX records point to your own server and you have selected Remote, messages will not be delivered correctly.
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If the MX records point to an external server but you have selected Local, the server will assume it should deliver the emails locally and will reject them.
An incorrect setting is one of the most common reasons emails do not reach their destination.
How to configure Email Routing
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Log in to cPanel.
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Go to Email → Email Routing.
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Select the domain you want to configure.
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In the Configuration section, select Local, Backup or Remote depending on your case.
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Click Change to save.
Practical examples
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You have your domain and hosting with Konet and all emails are created in cPanel: select Local Mail Exchanger.
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You have your domain with Konet but your email on Google Workspace: you must have Google's MX records set up and select Remote Mail Exchanger in Email Routing.
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You have a second server acting as a backup mail server: on the main domain select Remote, on the backup server select Backup Mail Exchanger.
Tips and best practices
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Always check the MX records after changes, so that they match the option selected in Email Routing.
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If you notice that messages are not arriving, start checking from here.
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Do not rely solely on automatic detection; prefer manual selection.
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If you use an external provider, make sure you have deleted any local mailbox with the same name to avoid confusion.
Common problems
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Messages you send to another user on the same domain bounce back: Email Routing may be set to Local while the MX records point elsewhere.
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You are missing incoming mail: the MX records and Email Routing may not match.
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Your client sends without problems but you receive nothing: check the Remote option first.
Note for Konet customers
At Konet, all servers are optimised to support reliable email delivery with either Local or Remote Routing. If you use third-party providers such as Google or Microsoft, you can enable Remote Mail Exchanger and be confident that delivery will be correct. If you are not sure which setting you need, you can contact the Support Department through the Client Area.