Apache won't run in xampp

Question

I have just installed XAMPP and everything works fine except that I can't get apache to run. It seems that port 80 is the problem, I have disabled Skype to use port 80 but it doesn't seem to fix it. I read somewhere that the SSL port can be the problem and should be changed. But I cant figure out were the port is or how to change it.

"Check the "/xampp/apache/logs/error.log" file" 

I have tried to check this file but inside "logs" there isn't anything. From apache I can go to error but there is not any recently changed documents.

The error:

20:34:24  [Apache]  Problem detected! 20:34:24  [Apache]  Port 80 in use by "system"! 20:34:24  [Apache]  Apache WILL NOT start without the configured ports free! 20:34:24  [Apache]  You need to uninstall/disable/reconfigure the blocking application 20:34:24  [Apache]  or reconfigure Apache to listen on a different port  20:40:50  [Apache]  Attempting to start Apache app... 20:40:50  [Apache]  Status change detected: running 20:40:51  [Apache]  Status change detected: stopped 20:40:51  [Apache]  Error: Apache shutdown unexpectedly. 20:40:51  [Apache]  This may be due to a blocked port, missing dependencies,  20:40:51  [Apache]  improper privileges, a crash, or a shutdown by another method. 20:40:51  [Apache]  Check the "/xampp/apache/logs/error.log" file 20:40:51  [Apache]  and the Windows Event Viewer for more clues 

How to I fix these errors?

Answer 1

If you just want to make Apache run an don't mind which port it is running on, do the following:

In the XAMPP Control Panel, click on the Apache - 'Config' button which is located next to the 'Logs' button.

Select 'Apache (httpd.conf)' from the drop down. (notepad should open)

Do Ctrl + F to find '80'. Click 'find next' three times and change line Listen 80 to Listen 8080

Click 'find next' again a couple times until you see line ServerName localhost:80 change this to ServerName localhost:8080

Do Ctrl + S to save and then exit notepad.

Start up Apache again in the XAMPP Control Panel, Apache should successfully run.

Use http://localhost:8080/ in your browser address bar to check everything is working.

EDIT

Also you may have problems running XAMPP while running IIS. If you are running IIS it might be worth stopping the service then starting XAMPP.

Answer 2

Find out which other service uses port 80.

I have heard skype uses port 80. Check it there isn't another server or database running in the background on port 80.

Two good alternatives to xampp are wamp and easyphp. Out of that, wamp is the most user friendly and it also has a built in tool for checking if port 80 is in use and which service is currently using it.

Or disable iis. It has been known to use port 80 by default.