Backups are something most admins don’t think about until a problem happens, but they’re one of the most important parts of keeping a hosting server healthy. Whether you’re running cPanel or DirectAdmin, JetBackup usually does a great job. The trouble is, when backups run at the wrong time or aren’t tuned properly, they can slow your whole server down.

If you’ve ever seen high load averages or slow websites while backups were running, you already know the issue. The good news is that JetBackup gives you plenty of options to control how backups behave. With a little tuning, you can cut down server load, speed up the backup process, and avoid the usual performance dips.

Below is a simple, practical guide to help you get better performance out of JetBackup on any hosting server.

Why Spend Time Optimizing JetBackup?

Backup jobs use a lot of disk I/O, CPU, and sometimes even network bandwidth. If you’re hosting multiple websites or clients on the same server, this can cause slowdowns during peak hours. A bit of optimization helps you:

• Reduce server load during backup runs
• Finish backups faster
• Avoid downtime caused by heavy I/O
• Save storage space by removing unnecessary data

This matters even more when managing several cPanel or DirectAdmin servers because the improvements add up quickly.

1. Run Backups during non-business hours

One of the easiest ways to avoid slowdowns is scheduling backups at a time when no one is using the server. For most setups, late at night or early morning works best.

In JetBackup, open Backup Jobs → Schedule and pick a quiet window—something like 2 AM to 5 AM.
This simple step alone prevents backups from slowing down websites during the day.

2. Choose to Incremental Backups

Full backups take more time because they copy everything each time. Incremental backups only copy files that have changed since the previous backup, which improves speed and is lighter on server resources.

Enable Incremental Backups in your JetBackup job settings.
Just make sure your storage (local disk, SFTP, AWS S3, Google Drive, etc.) supports incremental backups.

Most servers see an immediate improvement in both backup speed and overall system load.

3. Don’t Back Up Files You Don’t Need

A lot of files on a server don’t need to be backed up—cache folders, temp files, log files, and other junk that only wastes space. In JetBackup, open Exclude Paths and add folders like:

• /tmp
• /cache
• old log directories
• file types such as *.log or *.tmp

Smaller backups finish faster, use less disk space, and restore quicker when needed. A good habit is keeping a common exclusion list in your team’s documentation so you can reuse it easily.

4. Use Smart Retention Settings (Don’t Keep Too Many Backups)

Storing more backups than needed eats disk space and slows down backup rotations. A simple retention plan most hosting companies use:

• 7 daily backups
• 4 weekly backups
• 12 monthly backups

You can set this under Retention Settings in JetBackup. This keeps your data safe without filling up the disk or slowing down backup operations.

5. Use Remote Destinations or a Separate Backup Server

You don’t have to store backups on the same server they’re taken from. JetBackup supports many remote destinations such as FTP, SFTP, and cloud storage.

If you run several cPanel or DirectAdmin servers, consider using a dedicated backup server. Your production server stays fast, and your backup tasks run on another machine designed for storage.

This setup improves reliability and reduces the risk of losing data during a hardware issue.

6. Adjust JetBackup’s Advanced Performance Settings

JetBackup has some powerful performance options hidden inside its settings. Many admins ignore them, but they can make a big difference. Here are the two main ones:

Parallel Processing

This will help you increase or limit how many backups or restores run at the same time.
If your server has strong CPU and SSD storage, you can allow more concurrent operations.
If not, keep it low to prevent overload.

Throttling

Lets you control how much CPU and disk I/O JetBackup is allowed to use.
This prevents backup jobs from slowing down active websites.

These settings are under JetBackup → Settings → Performance.
Check one by one and monitor the load to find the right balance.

7. Monitor Backups Regularly

Backup reports should still be monitored even if JetBackup is optimised. Things to review:

• Backup duration
• Transfer speeds
• Failed backup jobs
• Disk usage on backup destination

If backups suddenly start taking longer, it’s usually due to unnecessary files, too many restore points, or high disk I/O.

Conclusion

Server performance can be sustained by using the correct JetBackup settings, while protecting client data properly. By:

• Scheduling backups at quiet hours
• Using incremental backups
• Removing unnecessary files
• Tightening retention policies
• Using remote backup servers
• Tweaking JetBackup’s advanced performance settings

…you get faster, lighter backups without draining server resources.

Always remember to test your restores occasionally. Backups are only useful if you can restore them successfully. If you need help setting up JetBackup or optimizing it across multiple cPanel or DirectAdmin servers, our SupportPRO backup specialists can assist you 24/7 with complete backup management.