Apache2: .htaccess not working – solution

If you are encountering issues with your .htaccess file not working as expected in Apache2, there are a few things you can do to resolve the problem. Here are some practical solutions, including sample code:

1. Syntax Check: Use an online tool or a text editor to check the syntax of the .htaccess file. For example, you can use the following command in the terminal to check for any syntax errors:

apachectl configtest

2. File Permissions: Ensure that the .htaccess file has the correct file permissions. You can use the following command to set the correct permissions:

chmod 644 .htaccess

3. File Location: Make sure that the .htaccess file is located in the correct directory. For example, if you want to use the .htaccess file to set up password protection for a directory, the file should be located in that directory.
4. Apache Configuration: Check the Apache configuration file to ensure that the AllowOverride directive is set to “All”. You can use the following command to edit the Apache configuration file:

sudo nano /etc/apache2/apache2.conf

Find the <Directory> section that applies to your website and change the AllowOverride directive to “All”.

<Directory /var/www/html>
        Options Indexes FollowSymLinks
        AllowOverride All
        Require all granted
</Directory>

5. Restart Apache: After making any changes to the Apache configuration file, remember to restart Apache using the following command:

Copy codesudo systemctl restart apache2

In conclusion, these solutions should help you troubleshoot and fix the .htaccess file not working issue in Apache2. Always double-check the syntax, file permissions, file location, and Apache configuration to ensure that everything is set up correctly.