1

When trying to start Apache by using:

/etc/init.d/httpd start

I get the following error in /var/log/httpd/error_log:

Unable to change directory to /root

Anyone have any idea what this means?

Improve this question
6
  • Where do you get the error (stderr, syslog, ...) and how are you starting it? Commented Mar 21, 2012 at 9:25
  • I start with command /etc/init.d/httpd start, I get the error in /var/log/httpd/error_log Commented Mar 21, 2012 at 9:32
  • Is your apache conf some vanilla packaged default, or have you customised it in any way; is this a source install or an OS package, or what? Commented Mar 21, 2012 at 9:46
  • it is freshly installed centos 6. I didn't touch apache conf. Commented Mar 21, 2012 at 9:54
  • Is there a ChrootDir directive in your http.conf file (or one of the million other files CentOS uses to configure Apache)? Commented Mar 21, 2012 at 12:49

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
2

Its SELinux.

because you have it enabled, you need to start service using 

service httpd start

edit your SELinux config and either disable it or set it to permissive:

nano /etc/sysconfig/selinux

# SELINUX= can take one of these three values: # enforcing - SELinux security policy is enforced. # permissive - SELinux prints warnings instead of enforcing. # disabled - SELinux is fully disabled. SELINUX=disabled

Once changed then you will be able to start httpd using:

/etc/init.d/httpd start

If you need to keep SELinux enabled, then just use the service script to start/stop/restart the service.

# service httpd start/stop/restart
Improve this answer
0

The ServerRoot has apparently not been set (properly.)

If unset, this default to $HOME.

Edit httpd.conf and set a proper ServerRoot (usually /etc/httpd or /etc/apache2.)

Improve this answer
5
  • ServerRoot is set as "/etc/httpd" Commented Mar 21, 2012 at 9:31
  • Use apachectl start instead. Commented Mar 21, 2012 at 9:38
  • still getting the same error Commented Mar 21, 2012 at 9:53
  • @marvin Can you post the output of apachectl configtest ? Commented Mar 21, 2012 at 11:47
  • [Wed Mar 21 11:53:42 2012] [notice] SELinux policy enabled; httpd running as context unconfined_u:system_r:httpd_t:s0 [Wed Mar 21 11:53:42 2012] [notice] suEXEC mechanism enabled (wrapper: /usr/sbin/suexec) [Wed Mar 21 11:53:42 2012] [error] Unable to change directory to /root Commented Mar 21, 2012 at 11:58
0

If you want to run it without disabling SELinux, then don't try to run http start/stop command inside /root directory.

This is temporary fix but always work, just switch to /tmp (cd /tmp) and run the command to start apache (/etc/init.d/httpd start)

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Start asking to get answers

Find the answer to your question by asking.

Ask question

Explore related questions

See similar questions with these tags.