1. Select the correct domain
Check the active domain in DirectAdmin. If your account hosts several domains, select the one that should appear after the @ in your address.
2. Open email accounts
Click E-Mail Manager, then E-Mail Accounts. Labels and layout may differ with the panel language and theme.
3. Create a mailbox
Click Create Account. Complete the following fields, then click Create.
- Account name: enter only the part before @, for example contact.
- Password: choose or generate a unique password and store it in a password manager.
- Quota: if offered, choose storage appropriate to your plan’s limits.
4. Keep the connection settings
After creation, DirectAdmin displays account details. Record the full email address, incoming and outgoing servers, ports and encryption shown. The mailbox password is separate from your control panel login.
5. Test the mailbox in webmail
In E-Mail Accounts, use the webmail or Roundcube login link if available. For manual login, use the full mailbox address and its password.
6. Add the account to your email app
Add an email account in Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail or your mobile app. If automatic detection fails, choose manual configuration. Use the settings supplied by DirectAdmin; common settings are summarised below.
7. Enable SMTP authentication
Enable authentication for the outgoing server. Use the same full address and password as for incoming mail. Do not leave the SMTP password blank.
8. Check sending and receiving
Send a message to an external address, then reply to it. Check receipt in webmail and your email application. This tests communication in both directions.
9. If something does not work
Check the full address, password, quota and supplied server. If webmail works but the app does not, review its settings. If nothing arrives, have the domain’s MX records checked before changing them. Contact support rather than bypassing certificate warnings. Include the exact error without sending your password.
Common email application settings
The settings supplied for your account take precedence. Do not substitute mail.yourdomain.ca without confirmation: the hostname needs to match the service certificate.
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Username | Full email address, for example [email protected] |
| Password | Mailbox password |
| Incoming and outgoing server | Hostname supplied for your account |
| Incoming IMAP | Port 993, SSL/TLS |
| Outgoing SMTP | Port 587, STARTTLS — subject to supplied settings |
| SMTP authentication | Enabled, using the full mailbox address and password |
IMAP is suitable for synchronising messages across multiple devices. If your account specifies a different secure SMTP port, use its paired port and encryption setting. Creating a local mailbox does not replace setup for an external provider such as Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace.
Official documentation
Labels and options vary with versions, plugins and your account. Refer to publisher documentation for your configuration.
DirectAdmin — Creating E-Mail Accounts