Unable to fix error : This configuration section cannot be used at this path

Question

I am getting an error

This configuration section cannot be used at this path. This happens when the section is locked at a parent level.

due to config entry at line 27 given below. I tried fixing it by unlocking the section websocket in Configuration Editor in IIS but it didn't work. The service works fine as soon as I remove line 27.

   26:     </handlers>
   27:     <webSocket enabled="true" />
   28:   </system.webServer>

Below is complete Error Message:

This configuration section cannot be used at this path. This happens when the section is locked at a parent level. Locking is either by default (overrideModeDefault="Deny"), or set explicitly by a location tag with overrideMode="Deny" or the legacy allowOverride="false".

Providing image for reference.

Adding my configuration editor setting for WebSocket too.

The section in web.config is below:

  <system.webServer>
    <webSocket enabled="true" />
    <handlers>
      <remove name="ExtensionlessUrlHandler-Integrated-4.0" />
      <remove name="OPTIONSVerbHandler" />
      <remove name="TRACEVerbHandler" />
      <add name="ExtensionlessUrlHandler-Integrated-4.0" path="*." verb="*" type="System.Web.Handlers.TransferRequestHandler" preCondition="integratedMode,runtimeVersionv4.0" />
    </handlers>
  </system.webServer>

Answer 1

This error cause when the section is locked at the parent level. you could follow below steps to unlock section at parent level:

1. In the connections tree(in IIS), select your website from the connection pane.

2. Select Configuration editor from feature view.

3. In the window that opens, on top, you will find a drop-down for sections. Choose "system.webServer/WebSocket" from the drop-down.

4. On the right side, there is another drop down. Choose "ApplicationHost.Config "

5. From Action pane, you will find "Unlock Section" under "Section" heading. Click on that.

6. Once the WebSocket at the applicationHost is unlocked, restart IIS and run site.