Apache 2.4.3 (with XAMPP 1.8.1) not starting in windows 8

Question

Just got XAMPP 1.8.1 installed on my Windows 8 PC, this version includes packages mentioned below:

Apache 2.4.3
MySQL 5.5.27
PHP 5.4.7
phpMyAdmin 3.5.2.2
FileZilla FTP Server 0.9.41
Tomcat 7.0.30 (with mod_proxy_ajp as connector)
Strawberry Perl 5.16.1.1 Portable
XAMPP Control Panel 3.1.0 (from hackattack142)

When I launched and tried to start Apache, it gave following error:

12:04:41 PM  [Apache]   Attempting to start Apache app...
12:04:41 PM  [Apache]   Status change detected: running
12:04:42 PM  [Apache]   Status change detected: stopped
12:04:42 PM  [Apache]   Error: Apache shutdown unexpectedly.
12:04:42 PM  [Apache]   This may be due to a blocked port, missing dependencies, 
12:04:42 PM  [Apache]   improper privileges, a crash, or a shutdown by another method.
12:04:42 PM  [Apache]   Check the "/xampp/apache/logs/error.log" file
12:04:42 PM  [Apache]   and the Windows Event Viewer for more clues

After that I checked error.log, it was empty so no help from there.

Answer 1

So here is the solution for this:

I check port 80 used by Skype, after that I changes port to 81 and also along with that somewhere i read this error may be because of SSL Port then I changed SSL port to 444. However this got resolved easily.

One most important thing to notice here, all the port changes should be done inside config files, for http port change: httpd.conf for SSL httpd-ssl.conf. Otherwise changes will not replicate to Apache, Sometime PC reboot is also required.

Edit: Make Apache use port 80 and make Skype communicate on other Port

For those who are struggling with Skype, want to change its port and to make Apache to use port 80.

No need to Re-Install, Here is simply how to change Skype Port

Goto: Tools > Options > Advanced > Connection

There you need to uncheck Use port 80 and 443 as alternative for incoming connections.

That's it, here is screen shot of it.

Answer 2

I had the exact same error.

It was because i didn't run setup_xampp.bat

This is a better solution than going through config files and changing ports.

Answer 3

This problem may occur due to apache not getting required port (default is 80).

The port may be being used by other services.

For example: Skype also has default port 80.

Installing Skype and Apache both on same machine will cause conflict and hence Apache will not start.

Either, you change Skype port or change Apache port as described in following steps:

Change the ports of Apache and it will work for you. Go to httpd.conf

How to change port for Apache:

Search for:

ServerName localhost:80

Change it to:

ServerName localhost:81

Also Search For:

Listen 80

Change it to:

Listen 81

If you have created any virtual hosts, change the ports there also. Then restart your apache.

Answer 4

I had the same problem, but I understand the VMware service is the problem. VMware host service and Apache service conflict together.

To Solve it » Run your task manager » in services tab find VMwareHostd » then right click and stop it » every thing have been solved.

Answer 5

Enter services.msc and shutdown anything SQL you have running. The SQL server might be taking over the port.

Answer 6

I had the same problem and error, I tried changing the ports for http port from 80 to 81 and ssl port from 443 to 444 but still received the same error so I reverted the ports to default and ran setup_xampp.bat which solve the problem in seconds.

Answer 7

Skype is usually the culprit because it uses port 80 by default. Just close it or uncheck "Use port 80 and 443 as alternatives for incoming connections" under tools > options... > advanced > connection and then restart Skype.

Answer 8

I had to manually edit the 2 text files (httpd.conf and httpd-ssl.conf) using the Config button for Apache to run and change in notepad from 80 > 81 and 443 > 444

Using the Xampp UI config manager doesn't save the changes into Apache.