Fix the “Apache shutdown unexpectedly” error in XAMPP caused by port conflicts with this easy step-by-step guide.

🧩 Introduction

If you’re using XAMPP and suddenly get the error “Apache shutdown unexpectedly,” don’t panic. This is one of the most common issues developers face—usually caused by port conflicts on your computer.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the cause and the exact steps to fix it permanently.

❗ Why This Happens

Apache, by default, uses port 80 for HTTP and 443 for HTTPS. If another application (like Skype, IIS, VMware, or even Chrome remote desktop) is using these ports, Apache can’t start.

🔧 How to Fix “Apache Shutdown Unexpectedly”

Step 1: Change HTTP Port

1. Open the XAMPP Control Panel.
2. Click on Config next to Apache.
3. Select httpd.conf.
4. Search (Ctrl + F) for: Listen 80
5. Change it to: Listen 8080
6. Search for: ServerName localhost:80
7. Change it to: ServerName localhost:8080
8. Save and close the file.

Step 2: Change HTTPS Port

1. Go back to XAMPP > Apache Config > open httpd-ssl.conf.
2. Search for: Listen 443 Change to: Listen 4433
3. Also find: <VirtualHost _default_:443> Change to: <VirtualHost _default_:4433>
4. Save and close.

Step 3: Update XAMPP Port Settings

1. In the XAMPP Control Panel, click Config at the top.
2. Select Service and Port Settings.
3. Change Apache’s ports from 80 to 8080, and 443 to 4433.
4. Click Save.

Step 4: Restart Apache

Now, restart Apache. It should work smoothly. Access your site with:

http://localhost:8080/

✅ Pro Tip

To avoid this issue in the future:

• Run XAMPP as Administrator.
• Avoid installing port-heavy apps like Skype on startup.
• Check port usage with XAMPP’s Netstat tool.

📌 Conclusion

The “Apache shutdown unexpectedly” error is annoying but easy to fix. With just a few config file edits, you can get Apache running on different ports and continue building your projects.

💬 Have Questions?

Drop a comment if you’re still stuck—I’ll help you sort it out!