Plesk is a popular web hosting control panel used for managing websites, domains, and email accounts. It provides a user-friendly interface for system administration tasks, but like any complex software, it can present challenges. Here’s a comprehensive guide to troubleshooting common issues in Plesk Control Panel.
Table of Contents
1. Login Issues
Problem:
Users might face problems logging into the Plesk control panel.
Causes:
- Incorrect credentials
- Account lockout
- Browser issues
- Corrupted Plesk configuration files
Solutions:
- Verify Credentials: Ensure you’re using the correct username and password. If forgotten, use the “Forgot Password” option.
- Check Account Lockout: If you’ve made multiple unsuccessful login attempts, your account may be temporarily locked. Wait for a few minutes or contact your hosting provider.
- Clear Browser Cache: Clear your browser cache and cookies or try using a different browser.
- Reset Password: Use SSH access to Common Issues in Plesk or contact your hosting provider to reset the Plesk admin password.
2. Email Delivery Problems
Problem:
Emails might not be delivered or are marked as spam.
Causes:
- Misconfigured DNS records
- Spam filter settings
- Mail server issues
Solutions:
- Check DNS Records: Ensure that SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are correctly set up. You can use online tools like MXToolbox to verify these records.
- Review Spam Filters: Check the SpamAssassin settings and adjust the spam score threshold.
- Inspect Mail Logs: Use SSH to access mail logs located in
/var/log/maillogor/var/log/mail.logto identify Common Issues in Plesk .
3. Website Loading Issues
Problem:
Websites might not load or display errors.
Causes:
- Website files or permissions issues
- Database connection errors
- PHP configuration problems
Solutions:
- Check File Permissions: Ensure that file permissions are correctly set for the web directories. Typically, files should have
644permissions and directories755. - Verify Database Connection: Check if the database server is running and that the credentials in the
wp-config.phpfile (for WordPress) or equivalent configuration file are correct. - PHP Settings: Review PHP settings in the Plesk panel. Ensure that the PHP version used is compatible with your website’s requirements.
4. Domain Name System (DNS) Common Issues in Plesk
Problem:
Domains might not resolve correctly.
Causes:
- Incorrect DNS settings
- Propagation delays
- DNS server issues
Solutions:
- Check DNS Records: Verify that A, CNAME, MX, and other DNS records are set up correctly in the DNS settings of Plesk.
- Flush DNS Cache: On your local machine, you can clear the DNS cache by running
ipconfig /flushdnson Windows orsudo dscacheutil -flushcacheon macOS. - Check Domain Propagation: Use tools like What’s My DNS to check if DNS changes have propagated.
5. Performance Issues
Problem:
The Plesk panel or hosted websites are running slowly.
Causes:
- High server load
- Inefficient resource allocation
- Outdated software
Solutions:
- Monitor Server Load: Check the server load averages through Plesk’s server health monitoring tools.
- Optimize Resources: Ensure that server resources like CPU and RAM are adequately allocated. Consider upgrading your hosting plan if resources are insufficient.
- Update Software: Keep Plesk and server components up-to-date. Regular updates fix bugs and improve performance.
6. Backup Failures
Problem:
Backups might fail or not complete.
Causes:
- Insufficient disk space
- Corrupt backup files
- Misconfigured backup settings
Solutions:
- Check Disk Space: Ensure there is enough disk space available for backups. You may need to delete old backups or increase disk capacity.
- Review Backup Logs: Check backup logs for errors and resolve any issues found.
- Adjust Backup Settings: Verify that backup schedules, destinations, and options are correctly configured in the Plesk backup manager Common Issues in Plesk.
7. SSL Certificate Issues
Problem:
SSL certificates might not work or show as invalid.
Causes:
- Expired SSL certificates
- Incorrect certificate installation
- Certificate chain issues
Solutions:
- Renew SSL Certificates: Check if the certificate has expired and renew it if necessary.
- Reinstall Certificates: Verify that the SSL certificate and private key are correctly installed.
- Check Certificate Chain: Ensure that the full certificate chain (including intermediate certificates) is correctly configured.
Conclusion
Troubleshooting Plesk Control Panel issues requires a methodical approach to identify and resolve problems effectively. From login issues to SSL certificate problems, understanding the common causes and solutions for these issues will help maintain the smooth operation of your web hosting environment. Regular maintenance, such as updating software and monitoring system performance, can also preemptively address many of these common issues.
By following the steps outlined above, you can diagnose and resolve most Plesk issues, ensuring your server and websites run efficiently and effectively.

