apache xampp problem port 80 443 in use not starting fixed solved solution easy tutorial

How to Fix HTTP Port 80 in Use (XAMPP) on Windows 10

Published by Soufiane | Categories : Computers - Fix Errors - Computers - Internet - Computers - Networking - Computers - Software

Your XAMPP HTTP server won’t start because of the port 80 in use?

Do you want to fix it without changing the HTTP port?

This is the ultimate fix tutorial.

In this tutorial you will discover the different causes of Apache not starting and why – sometimes – the system (kernel) can itself reserve port 80 in services such as World Wide Web Publishing and Windows Activation Process.

If you are using Vmware Workstation and you have the error 443 in use, then uninstall Vmware and things will work again.

Let’s go!

How does the Error Look Like?

The error is long and it ends with: Error: Apache shutdown unexpectedly.

In this tutorial we will first uncover the cause of the problem then we will fix it step by step.

If you were able to fix the problem please leave a comment below to thank me. Thanks.

apache xampp problem port 80 443 in use not starting fixed solved solution 1 control panel

1. Discover the Source of the Port 80 in Use Error

Analyzing the Processes Using the Port 80

Open a new Command Prompt as administrator from the Start menu and type in this command:

netstat -aon | findstr :80

You will see many lines of TCP and sometimes UDP protocols, copy the last number, here it’s 4.

apache xampp problem port 80 443 in use not starting fixed solved solution 1 netstat aon findstr 80

Knowing the Process Responsible for Locking the Port 80

Use this command to know the name of the process responsible for this issue:

tasklist /fi "pid eq 4"

As you can see in the screenshot below, it’s the system that is blocking the port. Let’s deal with it!

apache xampp problem port 80 443 in use not starting fixed solved solution 1 tasklist fi pid eq 4

2. Disable Services Using the HTTP Port 80

Open Run using the Windows+R keyboard shortcut, type in services.msc and hit Enter.

apache xampp problem port 80 443 in use not starting fixed solved solution 2 services msc

Stop the following services:

  • Windows Process Activation Service (WAS)
  • World Wide Web Publishing Service (W3SVC)
  • BranchCache (PeerDistSvc)
apache xampp problem port 80 443 in use not starting fixed solved solution 3 services windows process activation service world wide web publishing service
apache xampp problem port 80 443 in use not starting fixed solved solution 4 service branch cache

And double-click on them and set their “Startup type” as “Disabled“.

apache xampp problem port 80 443 in use not starting fixed solved solution 5 disabled w3svc world wide web publishing service

Try to start your XAMPP now, if it works leave a comment. If not continue reading.

Uninstall the Services Blocking the Port 80

Open your Start menu and search and open the Control Panel.

apache xampp problem port 80 443 in use not starting fixed solved solution 6 control panel start

Click on “Programs and Features“.

apache xampp problem port 80 443 in use not starting fixed solved solution 7 programs and features

Click on “Turn Windows features on or off“.

apache xampp problem port 80 443 in use not starting fixed solved solution 8 turn windows features on or off

Uncheck the following entries:

  • Internet Information Services
  • Internet Information Services Hostable Web Core
  • Windows Process Activation Service

Click “OK“.

apache xampp problem port 80 443 in use not starting fixed solved solution 9 iis internet information services hostable web windows process activation service

Wait for a couple of seconds…

apache xampp problem port 80 443 in use not starting fixed solved solution 10 applying changes

Click “Don’t restart” and continue reading.

apache xampp problem port 80 443 in use not starting fixed solved solution 11 do not reboot

3. Disable the Hidden HTTP.SYS Service

Open the Command Prompt (CMD) as administrator.

apache xampp problem port 80 443 in use not starting fixed solved solution 12 cmd

Type in the following command and hit Enter:

net stop http /y

You will notice a world of services that have been stopped.

apache xampp problem port 80 443 in use not starting fixed solved solution 13 net stop http y cmd command prompt

To disable the HTTP service run this command:

sc config http start= disabled
apache xampp problem port 80 443 in use not starting fixed solved solution 14 sc config http start disabled

4. XAMPP is Working Again!

Restart your computer if necessary, your XAMPP should be working again!

If yes, leave a comment below!

apache xampp problem port 80 443 in use not starting fixed solved solution 15 solved

Thank you for reading, if you like this tutorial please share it everywhere!

If you have a question don’t hesitate to ask it in the comments below.


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Already 9 comments! { Leave yours? }

  • Annie says:

    Hello,
    It worked with the first step..although branchcache must be hidden, it still got xampp going. Thanks so much. :D

  • Raymond Owusu says:

    Hello,
    everything works the first step works

    Regards,

  • Marc says:

    Hallo,

    es hat super funktioniert, vielen Dank für Ihr Tutorial!

  • shubhobhai.com says:

    Hello,
    it’s works for me, Thanks, :love:
    Regards,
    SB

  • Arjana says:

    Hello,
    I try this but … when I need to restart apache when I start my new project I get the same problem that I have…. :( “Error: Apache shutdown unexpectedly”
    Regards,

  • Ehtizaz Ahmad Khan says:

    Hello,
    it worked. thanks.
    Regards,

  • Leave a comment

    xD oO ^_^ =] =) ;-( ;) :| :woot: :whistle: :sleep: :sick: :police: :p :o :ninja: :mm: :love: :lol: :kiss: :hmm: :evil: :bandit: :angel: :alien: :D :) :( 8)