Starting Apache Web Server at every Reboot (for Ubuntu / Debian Linux)

If you compiled and installed Apache on a Debian/Ubuntu Linux machine and want the Apache service run every time you reboot your machine this short tutorial is for you. I have tried to make it very simple so I am pretty sure you'll be able to follow all steps even if you don't know Unix/Linux shell scripting.

Before we proceed please read the disclaimer below.

DISCLAIMER: I have made every attempt to present accurate information, but I cannot guarantee that inaccuracies will not occur. I (the author) will not be held responsible for any claim, loss, damage or inconvenience caused as a result of any information found on this website (blog).


In order to run Apache at boot time you have to write a very simple start up script. Follow the steps below. Please note that you ave to run the commands as root for both Ubuntu and Debian.

• In Ubuntu, do the following (you'll probably be prompted for password).

sudo nano /etc/init.d/apache2
In Debian do the following (as root).
nano /etc/init.d/apache2
The above command will open up a text editor with an empty page (assuming that /etc/init.d/apache2 did not previously exist or was empty).

• Now, enter the code below in your text editor. Lines starting with a # symbol are comments (except the first line).

#!/bin/sh
case "$1" in
start)
echo "Starting Apache ..."
# Change the location to your specific location
/usr/local/apache2/bin/apachectl start
;;
stop)
echo "Stopping Apache ..."
# Change the location to your specific location
/usr/local/apache2/bin/apachectl stop
;;
graceful)
echo "Restarting Apache gracefully..."
# Change the location to your specific location
/usr/local/apache2/bin/apachectl graceful
;;
restart)
echo "Restarting Apache ..."
# Change the location to your specific location
/usr/local/apache2/bin/apachectl restart
;;
*)
echo "Usage: '$0' {start|stop|restart|graceful}" >&2
exit 64
;;
esac
exit 0

• Now, press “Ctrl– o” to save the file and “Ctrl – x” to exit from the editor.

• You have to change the file permissions by executing the command below:

Ubuntu: sudo chmod u+x /etc/init.d/apache2
Debian: chmod u+x /etc/init.d/apache2

• To start Apache, run command below:

Ubuntu: sudo /etc/init.d/apache2 start
Debian: /etc/init.d/apache2 start

To stop Apache, run command below:
Ubuntu: sudo /etc/init.d/apache2 stop
Debian: /etc/init.d/apache2 stop

To restart Apache, run command below:
Ubuntu: sudo /etc/init.d/apache2 restart
Debian: /etc/init.d/apache2 restart

To restart Apache gracefully, run command below:
Ubuntu: sudo /etc/init.d/apache2 graceful
Debian: /etc/init.d/apache2 graceful

• In order to add the script to the default runlevel you do the following.

Ubuntu: sudo update-rc.d apache2 defaults
Debian: update-rc.d apache2 defaults

• In case you want to remove it from the run level you do the following.

Ubuntu: sudo update-rc.d –f apache2 remove
Debian: update-rc.d –f apache2 remove

That’s it you’re done. Now, Apache will start automatically at boot time.