Introduction
While installing cPanel/WHM on a CentOS 7 server, you may encounter the following error message:
2017-09-24 13:24:41 1173 ( INFO): The installation process will now import GPG keys for yum. 2017-09-24 13:24:41 1068 (DEBUG): Retrieving http://httpupdate.cpanel.net/cpanelsync/TIERS to the TIERS file... 2017-09-24 13:24:51 1073 (FATAL): The system could not fetch the TIERS file. Removing /root/installer.lock.
This error prevents the cPanel installer from downloading the required TIERS file and completing the installation process. In most cases, the issue is related to incorrect DNS configuration or network connectivity problems on the server.
This guide explains the cause of the error and provides a simple solution to resolve it.
Why Does This Error Occur?
The cPanel installer must connect to cPanel’s update servers to download installation files. If the server cannot resolve hostnames due to an incorrect or unreachable DNS server, the installer fails with the “could not fetch the TIERS file” error.
Common causes include:
- Invalid DNS server entries in
/etc/resolv.conf - Network connectivity issues
- Firewall restrictions preventing outbound connections
- Temporary DNS resolution failures
How to Fix the Error
Step 1: Edit the DNS Configuration
Log in to the server as the root user or a user with sudo privileges and open the resolv.conf file:
vi /etc/resolv.conf
Step 2: Add a Public DNS Server
Add a public DNS server such as Google DNS (8.8.8.8) along with your existing DNS configuration.
Example:
search localdomain example.com # Generated by NetworkManager nameserver 8.8.8.8 nameserver 192.168.55.2
You may also use:
nameserver 4.2.2.2 nameserver 4.2.2.1
Step 3: Save and Exit
Save the file and exit the editor.
Step 4: Restart the cPanel Installation
Run the installer again:
sh latest
The installer should now be able to resolve the cPanel update servers and continue the installation successfully.
Additional Troubleshooting
If the issue persists, verify DNS resolution and network connectivity:
ping google.com
or
nslookup httpupdate.cpanel.net
If these commands fail, investigate your network configuration, firewall settings, or upstream DNS provider.
Conclusion
The “The system could not fetch the TIERS file” error is typically caused by DNS resolution problems during cPanel installation. Updating the /etc/resolv.conf file with a reliable public DNS server such as Google DNS usually resolves the issue quickly. After correcting the DNS settings, rerun the installer and the installation should proceed normally.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the TIERS file in cPanel installation?
The TIERS file contains information about cPanel release tiers and update channels. The installer downloads this file from cPanel’s update servers to determine which packages and updates should be installed.
2. How can I verify that DNS resolution is working on my server?
You can test DNS resolution using:
nslookup httpupdate.cpanel.net
or
dig httpupdate.cpanel.net
If these commands return valid IP addresses, DNS resolution is functioning correctly.
3. Will modifying /etc/resolv.conf permanently fix the issue?
In some environments, NetworkManager or DHCP services may overwrite /etc/resolv.conf. If the problem reoccurs after a reboot, update the DNS settings within NetworkManager or your network configuration to make the changes persistent.
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