Error - invalid maildirsize file ▷ Lancelhoff

If you're encountering the "invalid maildirsize file" error when attempting to change the quota of an email account in cPanel, this typically means the mailbox is corrupt. This error can prevent the quota from being updated and may cause confusion. Fortunately, this issue is relatively simple to resolve and can be fixed in about 99% of cases with a quick solution. The process takes just a few minutes, and as long as you're comfortable managing files via FTP, you should have no trouble resolving this. Let’s walk through the solution.

How to Fix the Invalid maildirsize File Error:

Login to your server via FTP: Open your preferred FTP client (like FileZilla, Cyberduck, or others) and log in to your server using your FTP credentials. If you don’t have your credentials, contact your hosting provider.
Navigate to the email directory: Once logged in, go to the following directory path:
```
/mail/yourdomain.com/user
```
Replace yourdomain.com with your actual domain name, and user with the specific email username. For example, if you need to fix the error for user@yourdomain.com, navigate to:
```
/mail/yourdomain.com/user
```
Note: Be sure to replace yourdomain.com and user with the correct domain and email username of the account you're troubleshooting.
Delete the maildirsize file: Inside the directory, locate the file named maildirsize and delete it. This file may have become corrupted and is preventing the system from showing the correct mailbox quota.
Let the system regenerate the file: Once the maildirsize file is deleted, the system should automatically regenerate the file the next time email activity occurs (such as receiving or sending an email), and the correct mailbox quota will be applied.

Important Notes:

If the mailbox quota still isn't displaying correctly after following the above steps, you can manually set the quota in cPanel by navigating to Email Accounts, then clicking the Change Quota button for the specific email account. This will force the system to refresh the quota settings.
If you're unable to delete the file via FTP or the maildirsize file isn't regenerating correctly, you may need to restart your email server or ask your hosting provider for further assistance.

After completing these steps, you should have successfully fixed the "invalid maildirsize file" error. This solution resolves the issue in the vast majority of cases. However, if the issue persists, it may indicate a deeper problem with the mail server or file system that requires additional troubleshooting.

Additional Troubleshooting Steps (If Needed)

If the problem continues even after deleting the maildirsize file, here are a few additional steps to consider:

Check Server Logs: Review your mail server’s logs to look for any potential errors that could provide more insight into the problem. Logs such as exim_mainlog or maillog (located in the /var/log/ directory) can reveal additional details.
Verify Permissions: Make sure the correct file permissions are set for the mail directories. Incorrect permissions can prevent the system from properly generating or reading the maildirsize file. The mail directories should generally have permissions set to 700, and files like maildirsize should be set to 600.
Rebuild the Mailbox Database: In cPanel, there is usually an option to rebuild the mailbox database, which can help fix mailbox corruption. If available, try using the "Rebuild Mailbox" or "Repair Mailbox" feature from the Email Accounts section.
Contact Hosting Support: If you’ve tried all of the above and the issue still persists, contact your hosting provider. They may need to perform more advanced troubleshooting, such as server-side fixes or file system checks.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the "invalid maildirsize file" error and get your email account back to normal. If you’re managing multiple accounts or handling this issue for clients, these FTP troubleshooting steps will help you maintain a smooth experience with cPanel email accounts.