Review the Apache error log
Linux servers typically use Apache to serve web pages. You'll find details about Apache errors and misconfigurations in this logfile. While many errors generated are minor and don't prevent the site from working, some errors can cause your site to display a blank white screen or an "Internal Server Error." It is important to be able to review the Apache error log when diagnosing a site issue.
Why would I need to review this log?
- Your site is not working as intended.
- One or more pages of your site has an error.
- Your site is loading a blank page or just spins and never loads.
Log location
WHM/cPanel:
/usr/local/apache/logs/error_log
Plesk:
/var/log/httpd/error_log
How can I review this log?
SSH
SSH allows you to access, view and manipulate the full log with tools such as vim or grep.
cPanel
cPanel will display site specific errors in the Metrics section under Errors for the site.
Plesk
Plesk will display site specific errors in the Domain section under Logs.
Example errors found in the Apache error log
The error below could be related to permissions or the file may not exist:[Sun Sep 12 08:32:07.527832 2021] [cgid:error] [pid 12891:tid 46998784894720] [client 123.45.67.89:6219] AH01264: script not found or unable to stat: /var/www/html/setup.cgiPHP Fatal errors can cause the site to load a blank page:
PHP Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Call to undefined function get_transient() in /home/acooldomain/public_html/deleteme.wpqyru.php:16
Stack trace:
#0 {main}
thrown in /home/acooldomain/public_html/deleteme.wpqyru.php on line 16
This error can indicate a bug in PHP code or memory problem.
[Sat Sep 25 21:13:53.125422 2021] [proxy_fcgi:error] [pid 17649] [client 123.45.67.89:53223] AH01067: Failed to read FastCGI header [Sat Sep 25 21:13:53.125434 2021] [proxy_fcgi:error] [pid 17649] (104)Connection reset by peer: [client 123.45.67.89:53223] AH01075: Error dispatching request to :This can be caused by permissions or a .htaccess rule.
[Thu Sep 30 17:51:43.209990 2021] [access_compat:error] [pid 1202] [client 192.88.135.3:28259] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/acooldomain/public_html/images/pages/index.php, referer: https://www.acooldomain.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2726This is caused by reaching the limit of MaxRequestWorkers. The config file will need to be updated.
[Fri May 22 11:51:07.896632 2020] [mpm_prefork:error] [pid 9697] AH00161: server reached MaxRequestWorkers setting, consider raising the MaxRequestWorkers setting
Related Steps
Does your site use PHP? Review the PHP error log.
