Can't start apache server

November 24, 2019 146 views
Apache
rulet
By:
rulet

Error when trying to reload:

r1@prime:~$ sudo systemctl status apache2.service
● apache2.service - The Apache HTTP Server
   Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/apache2.service; enabled; vendor preset: enabled)
   Active: failed (Result: exit-code) since Mon 2019-11-25 01:04:32 EET; 47min ago
     Docs: https://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.4/
  Process: 5392 ExecStart=/usr/sbin/apachectl start (code=exited, status=1/FAILURE)

ноя 25 01:04:32 prime apachectl[5392]: no listening sockets available, shutting down
ноя 25 01:04:32 prime apachectl[5392]: AH00015: Unable to open logs
ноя 25 01:04:32 prime apachectl[5392]: Action 'start' failed.
ноя 25 01:04:32 prime apachectl[5392]: The Apache error log may have more information.
ноя 25 01:04:32 prime systemd[1]: apache2.service: Control process exited, code=exited, status=1/FAILURE
ноя 25 01:04:32 prime systemd[1]: apache2.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'.
ноя 25 01:04:32 prime systemd[1]: Failed to start The Apache HTTP Server.
ноя 25 01:04:35 prime systemd[1]: apache2.service: Unit cannot be reloaded because it is inactive.
ноя 25 01:16:54 prime systemd[1]: apache2.service: Unit cannot be reloaded because it is inactive.
ноя 25 01:42:04 prime systemd[1]: apache2.service: Unit cannot be reloaded because it is inactive.
r1@prime:~$

How to fix it?

edited by MattIPv4
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1 Answer
KDSys MOD November 25, 2019

Hi @rulet,

Looking at the provided status, the error can be explained here

ноя 25 01:04:32 prime apachectl[5392]: no listening sockets available, shutting down

This would suggest Apache can’t start as something else is listening on the ports it’s supposed to. Usually Apache listens on port 80 so you’ll need to first check what is actually listening on it.

To do so, you’ll just need to enter this command

netstat -tulpen | grep 80

This will result in a similar ouput

netstat -tulpen | grep 80
tcp6       0      0 :::80                   :::*                    LISTEN      0          22984337   516/httpd

In this case, Apache is actually properly running however in your cases something else would be listening on that port.

You’ll need to turn off the service that’s listening on the port. Edit it’s configuration to use another port and restart Apache.

That should be it.

Regards,
KDSys

  • KDSys MOD November 25, 2019

    Hi @rulet,

    Please excuse me for the follow up. I just forgot to mention a couple of other stuff.

    So, I mentioned in case there is a service on port 80 you’ll need to edit the configuration of the said service and change the port. This is only in case you want Apache to listen on port 80 which would be normal. Port 80 is the port number assigned to commonly used internet communication protocol, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). It is the port from which a computer sends and receives Web client-based communication and messages from a Web server and is used to send and receive HTML pages or data.

    Additionally, if this isn’t the case you’ll need to check either the apache error log which is located

    • RHEL / Red Hat / CentOS / Fedora Linux Apache access file location – /var/log/httpd/error_log.
    • Debian / Ubuntu Linux Apache access log file location – /var/log/apache2/error_log.

    Or your server’s Journal by typing in just after an Apache restart

    journalctl -xe

    Regards,
    KDSys

    • rulet November 25, 2019

      The thing is that nginx server uses port 80:

      r1@prime:~$ sudo netstat -tulpn | grep :80
      [sudo] пароль для r1:
      tcp 0 0 0.0.0.0:80 0.0.0.0:* LISTEN 736/nginx: master p
      tcp6 0 0 :::80 :::* LISTEN 736/nginx: master p

      Is it possible to use simultaneously apache and nginx servers. If yes, if I understand right do I have to assign nginx to another port, and if yes, how to do that?

      • KDSys MOD November 25, 2019

        Hi @rulet,

        Ah I see. Yes, you can use Nginx infront of Apache and use it as Reverse Proxy.

        The process is not that easy however gladly, DigitalOcean have a great tutorial about it - Tutorial

        I’ll recommend having a look at it and if you feel anything might be too hard after trying it out, let me know. I’ll be sure to assist.

        Regards,
        KDSys

        How To Configure Nginx as a Reverse Proxy for Apache
        by Etel Sverdlov
        This tutorial covers combining apache and nginx to serve sites with more speed. This article takes you from a fresh DigitalOcean droplet to one where apache and nginx are configured to work together.
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