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Solutions to Common PHP Startup Issues on Ubuntu

M66 2025-07-02

Solutions to PHP Startup Issues on Ubuntu

PHP startup issues on Ubuntu are quite common and can be caused by configuration errors, plugin conflicts, or services not starting correctly. To resolve this issue, we need to systematically check for potential causes and make necessary adjustments. Below are some common solutions and specific steps to follow:

Check PHP Configuration File

First, check whether the PHP configuration file is correct. You can open the PHP configuration file using the following command:

sudo nano /etc/php/7.4/apache2/php.ini

Check the configuration items in the file to ensure there are no syntax errors or invalid values. Pay special attention to the following configuration items:

  • error_reporting: This sets the error reporting level. You can set it to error_reporting = E_ALL to display all error messages.
  • display_errors: This setting determines whether errors are shown on the page. Set it to display_errors = On.
  • extension_dir: Ensure the path to PHP extension libraries is configured correctly.

After checking and correcting the configuration file, restart the Apache service:

sudo service apache2 restart

Check Apache Configuration File

In addition to the PHP configuration file, the Apache configuration file may also affect PHP startup. You can edit Apache's main configuration file using the following command:

sudo nano /etc/apache2/apache2.conf

Make sure the following modules are enabled:

LoadModule php7_module /usr/lib/apache2/modules/libphp7.4.so
AddHandler application/x-httpd-php .php

After making changes, save the file and restart the Apache service:

sudo service apache2 restart

Check PHP Error Logs

If PHP still fails to start, you can check the PHP error logs to get more information about the issue. Use the following command to view Apache's error logs:

sudo nano /var/log/apache2/error.log

Search for keywords like PHP Fatal error or PHP Warning in the log, as these can help pinpoint the problem.

Check PHP Modules

Sometimes, PHP modules may not load correctly, which can cause PHP to fail to start. You can check and install the necessary PHP module using the following command:

sudo apt-get install libapache2-mod-php

Once installed, restart the Apache service:

sudo service apache2 restart

Summary

In summary, resolving PHP startup issues on Ubuntu involves systematically troubleshooting configuration files, error logs, and modules. By following the above steps, most PHP startup issues can be resolved. If the problem persists, you may need to seek more professional technical support.