Apache could not be started - ServerRoot must be a valid directory and Unable to find the specified module

Question

I\'m using xampp portable server and I\'m having some trouble with Apache http server, it says \"ServerRoot must be a valid directory\"

Command line output:

Answer 1

Below solved. I have wrongly given the bin /directory/, so faced the issue:

if you installed apache at C:/httpd-2.4.41-o102s-x64-vc14-r2/Apache24
then the modules are at.. C:/httpd-2.4.41-o102s-x64-vc14-r2/Apache24/modules

So, the file           C:/httpd-2.4.41-o102s-x64-vc14-r2/Apache24/conf/httpd.conf
should have
       Define SRVROOT "C:/httpd-2.4.41-o102s-x64-vc14-r2/Apache24/"

Hope that helps

Answer 2

I had this exact same problem with Xampp portable on Windows 10 Home. I went through all the suggestions and none worked. I did get it working with Windows Firewall Settings and an error on my part.

My pen drive was labelled Drive E on my laptop and Drive F on my Desktop. Once I corrected that using disk partition and changed the drive letter to E for my desktop to windows asked for access for the firewall and everything clicked.

The steps to correct the drive letter were: 1. Hit the windows key and type Partition, "create and format harddisks partitions" should be at the top, hit enter 2. Find the drive you are looking for at the top panel and click on it. 3. Right click on it and select change drive letter and path, click okay 4. Now try to start xampp control panel and start Apache and Mysql 5. if you get the windows firewall click allow.

I can't say this will work but it did for me and is what I added to this discussion. I also think it might have been just the firewall did not allow the oither drive letter.