How to Fix 'Roundcube Redirected You Too Many Times' Error

Frustrated by the "Roundcube redirected you too many times" error when trying to access your cPanel webmail? You're not alone. I recently tackled this exact issue with my system email account, and I'm here to share the solution that worked for me.

The Problem: This error typically appears when there are misconfigurations or database inconsistencies within your Roundcube webmail application. In my case, it was affecting just one email account, making it particularly tricky to diagnose.

Understanding the Issue

After digging deeper and consulting with cPanel support, I discovered that this frustrating redirect loop is often tied to Roundcube's database structure. The good news? There's a straightforward fix that doesn't require extensive technical knowledge.

The Solution: Step-by-Step Fix

The fix involves working with Roundcube's SQLite database for your specific email account. Here's how to resolve it:

1. Drop the Problematic View

First, we need to remove a conflicting view from the database using this command:

/usr/local/cpanel/3rdparty/bin/sqlite3 /home/cPuser/etc/cPMail.rcube.db "DROP VIEW IF EXISTS caldav_calendars_merged"

Important: Replace cPuser and cPMail with your actual cPanel username and email database name.

2. Table Rename Attempt

The second step involves attempting to rename a potentially misconfigured table:

/usr/local/cpanel/3rdparty/bin/sqlite3 /home/cPuser/etc/cPMail.rcube.db "ALTER TABLE carddav_addressbooks_X RENAME TO carddav_addressbooks;"

Note: Don't worry if this command returns an error about the table not existing - this is actually normal in many cases. The first command is usually sufficient to resolve the issue.

What to Expect After the Fix

After running these commands, you should be able to access your email account normally again. In my case, the redirect loop was completely resolved, and I haven't encountered the issue since.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Make sure you have the correct path to your Roundcube database
• Double-check that you've replaced cPuser and cPMail with your actual details
• If you're still having issues, try clearing your browser cache and cookies

Best Practice: Before making any changes to your database, it's always a good idea to create a backup of your current configuration.

Prevention for the Future

While this fix addresses the immediate issue, here are some preventive measures to avoid future redirect loops:

• Keep your Roundcube installation up to date
• Regularly check for and fix any database inconsistencies
• Monitor your email account settings for any unusual changes

Have you encountered this Roundcube issue before? Did this solution work for you? Feel free to share your experience, send me an email.