Why would apache refuse connection to localhost 127.0.0.1 on OSX?

Question

When trying to access sites on my localhost the connection is refused. Two days ago the set up was working without issues with multiple virtual hosts configured. I'm not aware of any changes that could have affected the set up. I spent all day yesterday trying to troubleshoot the issue but have been going around in circles.

OS: OSX 10.11.16

httpd -V returns this:

Server version: Apache/2.4.18 (Unix)
Server built:   Feb 20 2016 20:03:19
Server's Module Magic Number: 20120211:52
Server loaded:  APR 1.4.8, APR-UTIL 1.5.2
Compiled using: APR 1.4.8, APR-UTIL 1.5.2
Architecture:   64-bit
Server MPM:     prefork
   threaded:     no
   forked:     yes (variable process count)
Server compiled with....
 -D APR_HAS_SENDFILE
 -D APR_HAS_MMAP
 -D APR_HAVE_IPV6 (IPv4-mapped addresses enabled)
 -D APR_USE_FLOCK_SERIALIZE
 -D APR_USE_PTHREAD_SERIALIZE
 -D SINGLE_LISTEN_UNSERIALIZED_ACCEPT
 -D APR_HAS_OTHER_CHILD
 -D AP_HAVE_RELIABLE_PIPED_LOGS
 -D DYNAMIC_MODULE_LIMIT=256
 -D HTTPD_ROOT="/usr"
 -D SUEXEC_BIN="/usr/bin/suexec"
 -D DEFAULT_PIDLOG="/private/var/run/httpd.pid"
 -D DEFAULT_SCOREBOARD="logs/apache_runtime_status"
 -D DEFAULT_ERRORLOG="logs/error_log"
 -D AP_TYPES_CONFIG_FILE="/private/etc/apache2/mime.types"
 -D SERVER_CONFIG_FILE="/private/etc/apache2/httpd.conf"

httpd.conf is configured to allow virtual hosts and nothing has changed in httpd-vhosts.conf file.

LoadModule vhost_alias_module libexec/apache2/mod_vhost_alias.so
...
# Virtual hosts
Include /private/etc/apache2/extra/httpd-vhosts.conf

apachectl configtest returns:

Syntax OK

I've tried running a port scan for 127.0.0.1 and http port 80 does not show. This and the connection being refused makes me think this is where the issue is but I don't know why. The OSX firewall is turned off. I've tried the solution posted here but it did not fix it.

My /etc/hosts file looks like this:

#
# Host Database
#
# localhost is used to configure the loopback interface
# when the system is booting.  Do not change this entry.
#    

127.0.0.1       localhost
255.255.255.255 broadcasthost
::1             localhost
fe80::1%lo0     localhost
127.0.0.1       site.local
127.0.0.1       othersite.local
...

I can ping 127.0.0.1. I previously had homebrew installed to run different PHP versions but I've removed that to try and bring the system back to stock. I really don't know what to try next, any help would be really appreciated.

@MarkSetchell I've been restarting apachectl constantly for the last two days without any luck. I understood it was starting automatically on boot and I haven't been stopping it. Nonetheless, when I tried it I got /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/org.apache.httpd.plist: service already loaded which I presume means it is already started? — Yabsley
for the vhosts in the /private/etc/apache2/extra/httpd-vhosts.conffile, and the default ist defined /private/etc/apache2/httpd.conf'. Look for the Listen`directive — P.J.Meisch

hemanto hemanto · Accepted Answer · 2017-09-05T05:53:09

It happened to me while upgrading php. Below steps worked for me to bring me back on track.

Generally, mac creates a back-up before upgrading. Hence, we'll be using the pre-update version of httpd.conf

cd /etc/apache2/  
sudo mv httpd.conf httpd.conf-afterupdate  
sudo mv httpd.conf.pre-update httpd.conf  
sudo apachectl configtest  
sudo apachectl restart

Why would apache refuse connection to localhost 127.0.0.1 on OSX?

4 Answers