How to Set Up an Email Autoresponder (Out-of-Office Reply)

An email autoresponder automatically sends a reply to anyone who emails you while you are away, such as on leave or during a public holiday. You can set one up directly from your hosting control panel in a few minutes, and it works whether you check your mail through webmail or a desktop app.

Before You Start

You will need your hosting control panel login (cPanel or DirectAdmin) and the email address you want to set the autoresponder on. If you're not sure which control panel you use, check your welcome email from ZIPROF or ask support.

In cPanel

1. Log in to your cPanel account.
2. Under the Email section, click Autoresponders.
3. Click Add Autoresponder.
4. From the Email/Domain dropdown, choose the email account you want to set the reply on.
5. Enter an Interval (how many hours must pass before the same sender gets another automatic reply, so they aren't sent one every single time they write to you).
6. Fill in the From name, Subject, and the Body of your automatic reply.
7. Optionally set a Start and Stop date, so the autoresponder switches off automatically once you're back.
8. Click Create/Modify to save it.

In DirectAdmin

1. Log in to your DirectAdmin account.
2. Click E-Mail Accounts.
3. Find the email address you want and open its settings, then look for the Autoresponder link (some DirectAdmin themes list this as Vacation Messages in the email menu instead).
4. Click Create, then enter your reply's Subject and Message text.
5. Click Create or Save to activate it.

Remember to switch the autoresponder off, or set a stop date in advance, once you're back. Otherwise it keeps replying to every incoming email indefinitely.

What to Write in the Message

Keep it short: state that you are away, give the date you'll be back, and provide an alternative contact for anything urgent. Avoid including sensitive details such as your travel itinerary.

Autoresponder Not Sending Replies?

1. Check that the autoresponder is still active and hasn't passed its Stop date.
2. Confirm you selected the correct email account, especially if you manage several addresses on the same domain.
3. Keep in mind an autoresponder only replies once per sender within the interval you set, so testing repeatedly from the same address may not trigger a second reply.

If you need help locating these settings, contact ZIPROF support and let us know whether your account uses cPanel or DirectAdmin.