Creating your OVHcloud account
Before you can use any OVHcloud service, you need a customer account. You can create one before or during your first order.Go to the OVHcloud website
Visit ovhcloud.com and click Create an account.
Choose your country, currency, and language
Select your country of tax residence, preferred currency, and the language you want to use in the Control Panel, then click Confirm.
Enter your email address and create a password
Provide a valid email address you currently have access to. Choose a strong, unique password — one you have not used elsewhere.
Avoid using an email address tied to a domain name you will manage from this account. If your domain is blocked, you will stop receiving OVHcloud notifications.
Verify your email address
A one-time code is sent to the address you entered. Enter it in the boxes provided to confirm your email.If you do not receive the email, check your spam folder. You can request a new code from the link at the bottom of the page.
Select your account type
Choose the account type that matches your situation:
- Private individual — for personal use outside of any professional activity.
- Company — for legal persons or sole traders purchasing as part of a business.
- Non-profit — for foundations, trade unions, religious organisations, and similar entities.
Your NIC handle (customer ID)
Every OVHcloud account has a unique identifier called a NIC handle, typically two letters followed by numbers (for example,aa00000-ovh). For accounts outside Europe, the primary email address is often used instead.
You use your NIC handle to place orders, manage services in the Control Panel, and identify your account when contacting OVHcloud support.
Logging in to the Control Panel
Go to the OVHcloud Control Panel and enter your NIC handle (or primary email address) and password. If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you will also be prompted for a one-time code from your device.Recovering access
If you cannot log in, here are the most common causes and fixes:- Forgotten NIC handle — find it in any OVHcloud confirmation email, or in the top-right corner of any invoice. You can also log in using your primary email address instead.
- Forgotten password — use the password reset link on the login page.
- Lost 2FA device — use a backup code, a secondary device, or contact OVHcloud support to disable two-factor authentication.
Even without 2FA enabled, OVHcloud may send a verification code to your primary email address for unusual login attempts. Check your spam folder if you do not receive it.
Navigating the Control Panel
The Control Panel is divided into two main areas. Top-right menu (your account) Click your name in the top-right corner to access:- Your profile and personal information
- Security settings (password, 2FA, IP restrictions)
- Invoices, orders, and payment methods
- Service messages from OVHcloud
- Contact management for your services
Managing your personal information
Keep your account details accurate. OVHcloud support may ask you to confirm your information during certain procedures, such as recovering account access. To update your details, click your name in the top-right corner, select Access my account, then Edit my profile. Key things to keep current:- Primary email address — used for all account notifications and password resets. Changing it requires a validation code sent to the current address.
- Backup email address — a different address used as a fallback if you lose access to your primary email. It must be different from your primary address.
- Account type — update this if your situation changes (for example, from individual to company).
Managing contacts for your services
OVHcloud services can have up to three distinct contacts, each identified by their NIC handle:| Contact type | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Administrative | Full control — can change all contacts and service ownership details |
| Technical | Technical configuration only |
| Billing | Billing, renewals, and payment notifications |
Delegating a contact
Find the service to update
The table lists every service your NIC handle is associated with. Click … next to the service, then Modify contacts.
Enter the new contact's NIC handle
Type the NIC handle of the account you want to assign, then click Confirm.
Contact changes are only possible between OVHcloud accounts in the same geographical zone. No changes are allowed if either account has outstanding unpaid invoices.
Setting up renewal for your services
OVHcloud services renew automatically by default when a valid payment method is on file. You can review and adjust renewal settings from the Control Panel. To manage renewal:- Click your name in the top-right corner and select Manage my services.
- Find the service you want to configure and click the three dots to the right.
- Choose Configure renewal and set your preferred renewal mode (automatic or manual).
Related guides
Securing your account
Enable two-factor authentication, restrict IP access, and protect against phishing.
IAM and access control
Create local users and define granular access policies for your services.
Managing billing and payments
Manage renewals, view invoices, and configure billing preferences for your services.
OVHcloud API
Automate account and service management using the OVHcloud API.