Common Issues with Plesk Hosting and How to Fix Them

Plesk is a versatile and user-friendly hosting control panel, but like any software, it can sometimes present challenges. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, knowing how to troubleshoot common issues can save time and prevent disruptions to your hosting operations. Here’s a list of common problems with Plesk hosting and practical solutions to fix them.

1. Login Issues

Problem: Users are unable to log in to the Plesk control panel.
Cause: Incorrect credentials, disabled admin account, or server-related issues.

Solution:

• Verify the username and password. If forgotten, reset the password using SSH with the command:
  bash

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  plesk bin admin --set-password -passwd <new_password>

• Check if the admin account is disabled and enable it via SSH if necessary.
• Ensure the Plesk service is running with the command:
  bash

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  service psa restart


2. Website Not Loading

Problem: Hosted websites are not accessible or display errors.
Cause: Misconfigured DNS settings, expired SSL certificates, or web server issues. Our list of best Linux Hosting companies offers a user-friendly

Solution:

• Verify DNS settings in the Plesk control panel to ensure the domain points to the correct IP address.
• Check and renew SSL certificates under the SSL/TLS Certificates section.
• Restart the web server using:
  bash

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  service apache2 restart # For Apache
service nginx restart # For Nginx


3. Email Issues

Problem: Emails are not being sent or received.
Cause: Incorrect mail server settings, blocked ports, or blacklisted IP addresses.

Solution:

• Verify email settings under Mail Settings in Plesk and ensure the correct SMTP, IMAP, or POP3 ports are configured.
• Check the firewall to confirm that email ports (e.g., 25, 465, 587) are open.
• Use tools like MXToolbox to check if your IP is blacklisted and follow their instructions for delisting.

4. High CPU or Memory Usage

Problem: Server performance degrades due to resource exhaustion.
Cause: Resource-heavy applications, spam attacks, or outdated software.

Solution:

• Use the Resource Usage section in Plesk to identify high-resource-consuming websites or applications.
• Optimize scripts and applications to reduce server load.
• Install and configure Fail2Ban to block potential spam or brute-force attacks. Discover genuine hostcafeday reviews 2024 from real customers.

5. PHP Configuration Issues

Problem: PHP-based applications fail to run correctly.
Cause: Incorrect PHP version or missing extensions.

Solution:

• Navigate to Websites & Domains > PHP Settings and select the required PHP version for your site.
• Enable necessary extensions such as Mbstring, cURL, or OpenSSL in the same section.

6. Backup Failures

Problem: Automated backups fail or take too long.
Cause: Insufficient disk space or misconfigured backup settings.

Solution:

• Ensure enough free disk space is available on the server.
• Configure incremental backups instead of full backups to save time and space.
• Check backup logs under Tools & Settings > Backup Manager for specific error messages.

7. Database Connection Errors

Problem: Applications cannot connect to the database.
Cause: Incorrect database credentials or database server downtime.

Solution:

• Verify database credentials in your application’s configuration file.
• Ensure the database server is running with the command:
  bash

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  service mysql restart # For MySQL

• Check database user privileges in the Plesk Databases section.

8. Plesk Panel Crashes or Freezes

Problem: The control panel becomes unresponsive.
Cause: Overloaded server or software conflicts.

Solution:

• Restart the Plesk service using:
  bash

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  service psa restart

• Clear temporary files and logs to free up space.
• Update Plesk to the latest version to resolve potential bugs:
  bash

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  plesk installer update


9. Failed Updates

Problem: Plesk or its extensions fail to update.
Cause: Network issues, insufficient permissions, or broken packages.

Solution:

• Ensure the server has a stable internet connection.
• Run the Plesk installer in SSH to force an update:
  bash

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  plesk installer --all-versions

• Fix broken packages using:
  bash

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  apt-get install -f # For Debian/Ubuntu
yum update # For CentOS/RHEL


10. DNS Propagation Delays

Problem: Newly configured domains take too long to resolve.
Cause: DNS propagation delays or incorrect configurations. Also check out best windows hosting companies

Solution:

• Use DNS propagation checkers to monitor progress.
• Ensure correct A, CNAME, and other records are added in the DNS settings.
• Lower the TTL (Time to Live) value before making changes to speed up propagation.

Conclusion

While Plesk hosting is robust and feature-rich, occasional issues are inevitable. By understanding common problems and their solutions, you can maintain a smooth hosting experience and ensure your websites run without interruptions.