How to Start, Stop, and Restart Nginx on your Linux VPS

Start, Stop, and Restart Nginx: Managing Nginx is vital for anyone running Linux-based web applications or servers. Whether you’re updating configurations, performing troubleshooting, or ensuring optimal server performance, the ability to start, stop, and restart Nginx confidently is essential. This ultimate guide will take you through the process in detail, covering two main service management methods while offering best practices, troubleshooting advice, and a helpful resource for those who want to set up Nginx from scratch.

What is Nginx?

Nginx is a high-performance open-source web server that handles many simultaneous client connections using minimal resources. It is a versatile tool and isn’t just for basic web hosting; it works as a reverse proxy or load balancer as well as a caching layer.

Nginx’s Role in Modern Infrastructure

• Web Hosting: Hosts static and dynamic websites, APIs, and web applications.
• Load Balancing: Distributes traffic across servers for better performance and redundancy.
• Reverse Proxy: Handles and forwards client requests to backend servers, improving performance and security.
• SSL Termination: Processes SSL/TLS encryption and decryption.

Why is Nginx Popular?

1. Speed: Built to handle high traffic with low latency.
2. Flexibility: Easily configurable for many tasks like caching, proxying, and SSL management.
3. Stability: Minimal resource usage even under heavy load.

Why is Managing Nginx Important?

Nginx acts as the backbone of many websites and applications. Keeping it running requires proper management, which includes starting, stopping, and restarting the service as needed.

Critical Scenarios for Nginx Management:

• Deployment of Updates: Apply configuration or software updates.
• Resolving Issues: Run the service to solve errors or malfunctions.
• Performance Optimization: Load configurations to save time without downtime.
• Routine Maintenance: Shut down Nginx for system updates or migrations.

Learning these operations ensures consistent service availability and high performance.

Requirements for Managing Nginx

To follow the instructions in this guide, you need:

1. Access to a Linux System: Ensure you have a Linux-based server where Nginx is installed.
2. Administrative Privileges: Root access or sudo permissions are required to manage Nginx.

Nginx Installed: Check for Nginx installation with:

nginx -v

If not installed, add it using:

sudo apt install nginx  # Ubuntu/Debian

sudo yum install nginx  # CentOS/RHEL

Commands to control Nginx status

Nginx is a service that can be controlled using many commands. Below are the main commands you’ll use to manage it.

Key Commands

Command	Functionality
start	It stops and then starts the Nginx service.
stop	Terminates the running Nginx service.
restart	Stops and then starts the Nginx service.
reload	Applies configuration changes without downtime.
status	Displays the current state of the Nginx service.

When to Use Each Command:

• Start: When Nginx is not running, such as after a reboot.
• Stop: For maintenance or troubleshooting purposes.
• Restart: When applying critical updates or recovering from failures.
• Reload: To apply configuration changes without impacting users.
• Status: To verify the current state of the service.

Method 1: Managing Nginx Using Systemd

Modern Linux distributions use Systemd as the default service management tool. Here’s how you can manage Nginx with Systemd.

Starting Nginx with Systemd

Starting Nginx is the first step to operationalizing your web server after installation or reboot. The systemctl command interacts with the system and the service manager in modern Linux distributions. Starting Nginx will initialize the service, making it ready to serve client requests.

Command to Start Nginx

Run the following command in the terminal:

sudo systemctl start nginx

 

How It Works:

• sudo: Grants administrator privileges necessary for managing system services.
• systemctl: The Systemd command-line utility for controlling and managing services.
• start nginx: Initiates the Nginx service, making it active and operational.

Example Scenario

But imagine you’ve just rebooted your server for maintenance or updates. Being quite different than the other services, launching it manually required. The command notifies you that after your website or application is set back running, it should become available to users again.

Stopping Nginx with Systemd

When you suspend the web server temporarily to perform any job like server reconfiguration, system maintenance, or server updates without any active processes, then you need to stop Nginx. This command is designed to quit all running operations to free up resources on Nginx.

Command to Stop Nginx

To stop Nginx, use the following:

sudo systemctl stop nginx

 

How It Works:

• sudo: Provides administrative privileges required for stopping services.
• systemctl: Invokes Systemd to manage the service.
• stop nginx: Sends a signal to terminate all active Nginx processes.

Example Scenario

Let’s say you’re about to start critical system updates or maintenance that potentially will cause web traffic to stop. Stopping Nginx means that no client connections are running, which means that during this process you can avoid errors or conflicts.

Restarting Nginx with Systemd

For Nginx, you need to stop and start the service in 1 command to restart. It is helpful whenever you need to make a massive configuration change, like changing a virtual host, updating an SSL certificate, or trying to fix errors and crashes.

Command to Restart Nginx

To restart Nginx, execute:

sudo systemctl restart nginx

 

How It Works:

• sudo: Elevates privileges for service management.
• systemctl: Utilizes Systemd to restart the service.
• restart nginx: Stops the Nginx service and then starts it again to apply changes or refresh processes.

Example Scenario

Let’s say you’ve recently edited the Nginx configuration file (Nginx.conf); for example, add a custom 404 error page or add a new domain setup. Nginx reloads these changes, after which this service is restarted to function with new configurations. Moreover, if the service is frozen, then restarting may solve your problem.

Reloading Nginx Configuration with Systemd

Reloading the Nginx configuration is a lightweight way to apply changes without interrupting active connections or stopping the service. This method is beneficial for minor updates where a complete restart would be unnecessarily disruptive.

Command to Reload Nginx Configuration

To reload Nginx after making changes, use:

sudo systemctl reload nginx

 

How It Works:

• sudo: Grants administrative access to execute system commands.
• systemctl: Engages Systemd to manage the service.
• reload nginx: Reloads the Nginx configuration file without restarting the service, ensuring a seamless update.

Example Scenario

Imagine you’ve just added a new virtual host or updated your SSL certificates in the configuration file. Instead of restarting Nginx, which can cause brief downtime, you reload the configuration to instantly apply the changes without disrupting ongoing connections or user experience.

Checking Nginx Service Status with Systemd

If something is wrong with Nginx, it’s important to know that Nginx is actually running. With Systemd it is easy to check out what state the service is in.

Command to Check Nginx Status

Run the following command to view the service status:

sudo systemctl status nginx

How It Works:

• sudo: Check for sufficient permissions to query system services.
• systemctl: Accesses Systemd to fetch and display service details.
• status nginx: Displays detailed information about the current state of the Nginx service.

Output Overview

• Active (running): Nginx is functioning correctly and serving requests.
• Inactive (dead): Nginx has been stopped and is not operational.
• Failed: Startup stopped, or the service was running with an error. More investigation of error logs is needed.

Example Scenario

Changes or service restarted is applied, you want to check if Nginx runs as expected. The status check will tell if the service is in operation or if it encounters troubles. Also, it’s handy when you are dealing with server downtime issues.

Method 2: Managing Nginx Using SysVinit

For older Linux distributions, such as CentOS 6 or Ubuntu 14.04, SysVinit is the default service management system. Although modern systems have mostly adopted Systemd, it’s still essential to understand SysVinit commands if you’re working with legacy environments. The SysVinit service command allows you to manage Nginx.

Starting Nginx with SysVinit

Starting Nginx with SysVinit initiates the service, allowing it to process incoming HTTP/HTTPS requests. It is similar to the systemctl start command but uses the service utility instead.

Command to Start Nginx

Run the following command:

sudo service nginx start

How It Works:

• sudo: Confirms administrative privileges for managing the service.
• service: Invokes the SysVinit management utility to control services.
• nginx start: Starts the Nginx process, making it ready to serve web requests.

Example Scenario

Say you’ve just deployed a web server on an older Linux distribution. Once Nginx is installed, you have to start your service going on to have your website live and able to be reached. It will start the Nginx service and will start processing users’ requests.

Stopping Nginx with SysVinit

Stopping Nginx with SysVinit halts the service and terminates all active processes. It is particularly useful when performing maintenance, installing updates, or troubleshooting issues where a clean shutdown is necessary.

Command to Stop Nginx

To stop Nginx, run:

sudo service nginx stop

How It Works:

• sudo: Provides administrative access to execute the command.
• service: Invokes the SysVinit management tool to control the service.
• nginx stop: Issues a command to terminate all active Nginx processes.

Example Scenario

Suppose you are preparing to apply system-wide updates or migrate data that requires Nginx to be offline. Running this command stops the service, ensuring no processes interfere with the maintenance task. This approach also helps prevent accidental disruptions to user traffic during the update process.

Restarting Nginx with SysVinit

Successfully relaunched Nginx by using the sysvinit command. It is a way to stop and start Nginx at once. It is desirable to apply major configuration changes or when working with the service is performed and it has become unresponsive.

Command to Restart Nginx

To restart Nginx, use:

Sudo service nginx restart

How It Works:

• sudo: confirms that the user has sufficient privileges to manage services.
• service: Utilizes the SysVinit management utility to handle service commands.
• nginx restart: Stops Nginx if it’s running and then starts it again, refreshing all processes.

Example Scenario

For instance, you have adjusted one or many vital Nginx configuration files, such as adding additional server blocks for another website or altering the primary ports. These changes are applied when restarting Nginx. Ensure the web server utilizes the changes, Amin. Also, when the Nginx program ceases to function as expected, a simple restart can help make things run again.

Reloading Nginx Configuration with SysVinit

The Nginx reload command enables one to change the configuration file without terminating more connections or even the service. It is used when small changes do not require editing or building a new configuration file, such as changing server blocks, updating SSL certificates, or changing log directives.

Command to Reload Nginx Configuration

To reload configurations, execute:

sudo service nginx reload

How It Works:

• sudo: Grants the necessary administrative privileges.
• Service: The SysVinit system is used to control Nginx.
• Nginx reload: Signals Nginx to reload its configuration file without stopping the service.

Example Scenario

You’ve added a new website to your server or updated an SSL certificate for an existing domain. Instead of restarting Nginx and temporarily disconnecting active connections, you reload the configuration to apply the changes instantly while ensuring uninterrupted service for users.

Best Practices for Nginx Management

Validate Configurations: Test changes before applying them:

sudo nginx -t

1. Use Reload Instead of Restart: Minimize downtime by using Reload for configuration updates.
2. Monitor Logs: Review log files to identify issues:
   • Access Logs: /var/log/nginx/access.log
   • Error Logs: /var/log/nginx/error.log

Create Backups: Back up configuration files before making changes:

sudo cp /etc/nginx/nginx.conf /etc/nginx/nginx.conf.bak

Advanced Tips for Troubleshooting Nginx

1. Nginx Fails to Start:

Check configuration:

sudo nginx -t

• Review error logs:

sudo tail /var/log/nginx/error.log

2. Port Conflicts:

Identify conflicting processes:

sudo netstat -tuln | grep ':80\|:443'

3. Changes Not Reflected:
   • Make sure you’ve reloaded or restarted the service after making changes.

Learn How to Set Up Nginx

For those new to Nginx or seeking to host a website without a control panel, read this comprehensive guide: Host a Website on VPS Without Control Panel – Nginx.

Key Topics Covered:

• Installing and configuring Nginx from scratch.
• Hosting static and dynamic websites.
• Configuring DNS and SSL for security.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: How do I enable Nginx to start automatically on boot?

Use:

sudo systemctl enable nginx

Q2: What’s the difference between reload and restart?

• Reload: Applies configuration changes without downtime.
• Restart: Stops and starts the service, causing a brief downtime.

Q3: How do I check which version of Nginx is installed?

nginx -v

Conclusion

This guide has equipped you with the knowledge to confidently start, stop, and restart Nginx in Linux environments. By using these commands and following best practices, you can achieve consistent uptime, high performance, and efficient web hosting.

Key Takeaways:

1. Use Systemd for modern Linux distributions and SysVinit for older systems.
2. Always validate configurations before reloading or restarting the service.
3. Prefer reload over restart to minimize downtime.

For those looking to set up Nginx from scratch or optimize configurations, refer to the additional resource linked above. With these skills, you’ll be prepared to manage Nginx like a pro!

About the writer

Vinayak Baranwal wrote this article. Use the provided link to connect with Vinayak on LinkedIn for more insightful content or collaboration opportunities.