WampServer

To answer all the questions as requested:
1 - Windows version used: Windows 11, 64 bit
2 - Version WampServer: 3.3.7_x64
3 - Apache Version: 2.4.62.1.
4 - PHP Version: No idea.
5 - MySQL Version: 9.1.0
5a - MariaDB version: 11.5.2
6 - What color is the WampServer icon: n/a - it does not appear in the Notification Area, but does appear in the 'hidden icons' display, and it is green there. Clicking, double-clicking and right-clicking on it have absolutely no effect. Hovering over it gives 'All services running'. See below.

When all goes well it should be green, but it may be red or orange.

I cannot do any of the following as wampmanager is not available.
If the WampServer icon is NOT GREEN please ensure you have looked at these files :-
a - Apache error log
-- ( wampmanager -> Apache -> Apache error log )
-- ( wampmanager -> Apache -> Apache access log )
b - MySQL error log ( wampmanager -> MySQL -> MySQL log )
b1 - MariaDB error log ( wampmanager -> MariaDB -> Mariadb log )
c - PHP error log ( wampmanager -> PHP -> PHP error log )

Nothing to report here:
Depending on the error, one or all of the above may be empty so also look at
d - The windows event viewer
--- Windows Key + R to launch the run dialog then enter eventvwr.exe and press the OK button
--- - On the left side of the windows click 'Windows Logs -> Applications'
--- - Look for the names 'Apache Service' or 'MySQL' in the Source column which have a error symbol in the first column.

If you find any errors that you cannot fix for yourself please post the COMPLETE EXACT error message in your question.
See below.

7 - In the file c:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts, what are the active lines?
* Active means no # at the beginning of the line.
127.0.0.1 localhost
::1 localhost


If the WampServer icon is green:

8 - Do you have access to localhost (Homepage WampServer)? Not exactly, see below.
8a - If so, is there an error message at the bottom of the page? No, at the top -
If I try to access localhost in Firefox, I get these:

( ! ) Warning: require(../files/apacheloadedmodules.php): Failed to open stream: No such file or directory in C:\wamp64\www\index.php on line 230
Call Stack
# Time Memory Function Location
1 0.0116 487232 {main}( ) ...\index.php:0

( ! ) Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Failed opening required '../files/apacheloadedmodules.php' (include_path='.;C:\php\pear') in C:\wamp64\www\index.php on line 230
( ! ) Error: Failed opening required '../files/apacheloadedmodules.php' (include_path='.;C:\php\pear') in C:\wamp64\www\index.php on line 230
Call Stack
# Time Memory Function Location
1 0.0116 487232 {main}( ) ...\index.php:0


9 - Do you have access to phpMyAdmin? Not sure how to outwith wampmanager.

10 - If you refer to an error message, please include the EXACT wording of the error in your post
11 - If you use an Antivirus and / or Firewall, please include the names of these. Windows Defender and ZoneAlarm Pro
12 - What is the full path to the installation of WampServer (eg D:\wamp\): C:\wamp64.
13 - If you have one or more Virtual Hosts defined, please show their definition(s): None that I know of.


Now that's all out of the way as requested, here's what's going on.
I last used Wamp about 15 years ago, very successfully but have had no occasion to use it again until now. It's been lurking in my laptop all these years and was well out of date, so I uninstalled it, downloaded the latest version and installed it according to all the instructions I could find (including running it as administrator, before anyone asks). I downloaded all the latest Visual C++ files and all appeared to go well. On hitting the icon to start it up, I get the splash screen saying it's getting ready, with the final one saying all services are available (or something). However, no taskbar icon appears, and as I say above, the green icon is only visible in the 'hidden icons' display and does nothing. If I try to access localhost in a browser, I get the error messages given above (Q8a). Googling them and searching this forum for any of them bring no results.

I have not yet specified a website in the www folder.

Help, please. I've obviously done something basically wrong during the installation but have no idea what it might be. I'm not particularly technical and was basically just following the instructions, but as I said I have had this working before.

If the Wampmanager icon is in the hidden icons area, simply drag and drop it into the notification area.
Since you don't have access to Click-Right -> Help, see the :
c:\wamp64\files\instructions_english.pdf file.

Your Zone Alarm firewall has blocked access to httpd.exe without asking you first, as the Windows firewall does.

Open a command window as administrator and, using the CD command, navigate to the folder :
C:\wamp64\bin\apache\apache2.4.62.1\bin>

Type the command: httpd.exe -D DUMP_MODULES

What happens?

Windows 11 has absolutely no need for third-party anti-virus or firewall software.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Documentation Apache - Documentation PHP - Documentation MySQL - Wampserver install files & addons

Thank you for the quick response.

I successfully dragged and dropped the icon into the notification area (sorry for using 'taskbar' before). There was no change to its behaviour when clicked on.

I set Windows Firewall to use all the recommended settings and disabled ZoneAlarm. Again, no change.

I tried your DUMP_MODULES command and it listed 30+ module names.

I restarted wampmanager and it went through its normal startup process. There were briefly two green Wamp icons in the notification area then one went away. Clicking on it also gives no results.

After a short brainwave, I restarted the laptop and ZA remained disabled. Windows Firewall is in operation as it asked about some network printer software activity during the startup.

I started wampmanager and it put a red icon into the notification area, changed it to an orange one then finally it went green. Again, though, nothing happens when I click on it. The firewall did not ask for access to httpd.exe.

There is no change to the localhost error displays. The -D DUMP_MODULES command gives the same listing.

Should I just start again and reinstall wamp from scratch?

> Should I just start again and reinstall wamp from scratch?

- Exit Wampserver.
-- Via the task manager, stop the TrayMenuManager task if existing.
-- Via the services manager, stop and delete services:
wampapapche64
wampmysqld64
wampmariadb64

Uninstall Wampserver64. If the uninstall option is not available via the Start menu, right-click on the file c:\wamp64\unins000.exe and then Run as administrator.

It is advisable to reboot the machine before installing Wampserver.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Documentation Apache - Documentation PHP - Documentation MySQL - Wampserver install files & addons

Thank you for the advice.

I have done all that precisely as given, but unfortunately the result is just the same - a green icon that does not respond to any clicking and localhost gives the same errors.

I must be missing something somewhere. Sorry to be a pain.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/17/2025 05:36PM by BillH45.

The Wampserver 3.3.7 installer does not check this, but you are installing on an NTFS disk?
Wampserver cannot run on an exFAT or FAT32 disk.

What's more, I can't test that it works properly on an ARM architecture!

---------------------------------------------------------------
Documentation Apache - Documentation PHP - Documentation MySQL - Wampserver install files & addons

Even if Microsoft Redistributables VC++ seems to be well installed, there may be a problem here.

After uninstalling Wampserver and before proceeding with a new installation :

The simplest, easiest, least error-prone, fastest way to install and repair the VC++ redistributables that are essential to Wampserver (and to many other softwares) is to use a program that installs everything that is needed with a single executable.
No, this is not a utopia ! It exists and it's 'AIO Repack' named VisualCppRedist AIO created by addobi1406, always updated with the latest versions from Microsoft.

The files to download are here: VisualCppRedist AIO All Releases

Download the latest version of the VisualCppRedist_AIO_x86_x64.exe file and run it as administrator, all necessary redistributable VC++ will be installed and excess or obsolete files will be removed. To ensure that everything runs smoothly, some applications will need to be disabled when requested by the Redist VC++ installer.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Documentation Apache - Documentation PHP - Documentation MySQL - Wampserver install files & addons

Otomatic Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> this, but you are installing on an NTFS disk?

Yes.

Regarding the VC++ files, I originally did download and run the VisualCppRedist_AIO_x86_x64.exe file you mention. I just re-ran it (as an admin) and it basically did nothing, so it looks like everything is up to date in that department.

I'll uninstall again as you suggested before and go through it all carefully once more, but we might be heading towards the traditional definition of insanity.....

I'll report once I've done that.

Uninstalled Wamp64 as directed earlier.
Re-booted.
Reran the VC++ install. Again, nothing new.
Re-downloaded wampserver3.3.7_x64.exe just in case there had been any corruption.
Reinstalled. This time I actually checked to see if IIS was running - it was not.

No change in behaviour - clicking on the green wampserver icon has no effect.

If there are any log files I can report on, please let me know.

Sorry, but I'm completely out of ideas and don't know what to tell you to do!

---------------------------------------------------------------
Documentation Apache - Documentation PHP - Documentation MySQL - Wampserver install files & addons

Thanks for your honesty! I know what it's like to try to sort something out remotely.

Maybe you could tell me what executables are run when the icon is right- and left-clicked, and I can try running them manually. Or is that too simple?

I looked at the php_error.log and it's saying
'Error: Failed opening required '../files/apacheloadedmodules.php'. This module doesn't exist in the wamp64 folder.

This has probably nothing to do with the unresponsive icon, but is definitely to do with the localhost error.

> 'Error: Failed opening required '../files/apacheloadedmodules.php'.
> This module doesn't exist in the wamp64 folder.

Before starting Wampserver, modify the file C:\wamp64\scripts\config.trace.php by replacing:
define('WAMPTRACE_PROCESS',false);
with
define('WAMPTRACE_PROCESS',true);
and save the modified file.

Start Wampserver.

At the end of startup, reset config.trace.php to false instead of true.

Post the contents of C:\wamp64\logs\wamptrace.log here

At the end of this log file, it should read:

function write_file file=../files/apacheloadedmodules.php
File ../files/apacheloadedmodules.php -+- HAS BEEN WRITTEN -+-

---------------------------------------------------------------
Documentation Apache - Documentation PHP - Documentation MySQL - Wampserver install files & addons

Thank you for your continuing support.

Here are the contents of the wamptrace.log after starting wampserver:

--- File cleaned up by Wampserver installation or update ---
- Wampserver trace report - Thu, 20 Mar 2025 11:14:36 +0000
script C:\wamp64\scripts\config.trace.php WAMPTRACE_FILE=c:/wamp64/logs/wamptrace.log
script C:\wamp64\scripts\getStartDate.php
script C:\wamp64\scripts\config.inc.php
script C:\wamp64\scripts\wampserver.lib.php
function wampIniSet
function write_file file=c:/wamp64/wampmanager.conf
File c:/wamp64/wampmanager.conf -+- HAS BEEN WRITTEN -+-
- Wampserver trace report - Thu, 20 Mar 2025 11:14:38 +0000
script C:\wamp64\scripts\config.trace.php WAMPTRACE_FILE=c:/wamp64/logs/wamptrace.log
script C:\wamp64\scripts\getInstalledBrowsers.php
script C:\wamp64\scripts\config.inc.php
script C:\wamp64\scripts\wampserver.lib.php
function write_file file=ListBrowsers.txt
File ListBrowsers.txt -+- HAS BEEN WRITTEN -+-
- Wampserver trace report - Thu, 20 Mar 2025 11:14:42 +0000
script C:\wamp64\scripts\config.trace.php WAMPTRACE_FILE=c:/wamp64/logs/wamptrace.log
script C:\wamp64\scripts\refreshSymlink.php 8.3.14
script C:\wamp64\scripts\config.inc.php 8.3.14
script C:\wamp64\scripts\wampserver.lib.php 8.3.14
function linkPhpDllToApacheBin - php_version=8.3.14
function CheckSymlink
- Wampserver trace report - Thu, 20 Mar 2025 11:14:43 +0000
script C:\wamp64\scripts\config.trace.php WAMPTRACE_FILE=c:/wamp64/logs/wamptrace.log
script C:\wamp64\scripts\refresh.php
script C:\wamp64\scripts\config.inc.php
script C:\wamp64\scripts\wampserver.lib.php
script C:\wamp64\scripts\refreshVerifyFiles.php
function file_get_contents_dos - c:/wamp64/bin/apache/apache2.4.62.1/conf/extra/httpd-vhosts.conf - return=false
function file_get_contents_dos - c:/wamp64/bin/apache/apache2.4.62.1/bin/php.ini - return=false
function file_get_contents_dos - c:/wamp64/bin/php/php8.3.14/php.ini - return=false
function file_get_contents_dos - c:/wamp64/bin/php/php8.1.31/php.ini - return=false
function file_get_contents_dos - c:/wamp64/bin/apache/apache2.4.62.1/conf/httpd.conf - return=true
function listen_ports
function check_virtualhost
function listen_ports
function file_get_contents_dos - c:/wamp64/bin/mysql/mysql9.1.0/./my.ini - return=true
function file_get_contents_dos - c:/wamp64/bin/mariadb/mariadb11.5.2/./my.ini - return=true
function clean_file_contents

Bill

After line 40, there should be :

function file_get_contents_dos - c:/wamp64/bin/apache/apache2.4.62.1/bin/php.ini - return=true
function clean_file_contents c:/wamp64/bin/apache/apache2.4.62.1/bin/php.ini
script c:\wamp64\scripts\refreshMySQL.php
script c:\wamp64\scripts\refreshMariadb.php
function write_file file=ListBrowsers.php
File ListBrowsers.php -+- HAS BEEN WRITTEN -+-
function write_file file=c:/wamp64/wampmanager.ini
File c:/wamp64/wampmanager.ini -+- HAS BEEN WRITTEN -+-
function write_file file=../files/apacheloadedmodules.php
File ../files/apacheloadedmodules.php -+- HAS BEEN WRITTEN -+-

This means, among other things, that the wampmanager.ini file has not been created and Wampserver cannot run without it!
There is a wampmanager.ini file, otherwise Wampserver wouldn't start, but it's the original one after installation.

A priori, the file c:/wamp64/bin/apache/apache2.4.62.1/bin/php.ini, which is a symbolic link, cannot be opened, which is paradoxical given that it has already been opened on line 31.
It's all the more paradoxical given that writing to the wamptrace.log file takes place just after the function definition line.

Try after setting the entire C:\wamp64 folder as an Exclusion in Windows Defender and Zone Alarm, and see if there are any quarantined C:\wamp64 files in them.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Documentation Apache - Documentation PHP - Documentation MySQL - Wampserver install files & addons

Otomatic Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Try after setting the entire C:\wamp64 folder as an Exclusion in Windows Defender and Zone Alarm, and see if there are any quarantined C:\wamp64 files in them.


I'm afraid this might be a little above my pay-grade. FYI, ZoneAlarm has been disabled ever since you told me it wasn't necessary to have both it and Defender active. I do have a product called Iobit Malwarebytes which is a sort of virus checker but does more than that.

Anyway, I stopped Wamp, prevented ZA from even starting (having just been disabled before) and also using the Startup list in Control panel tried to stop Malwarebytes from starting. In that list, Defender wasn't being started, so I made it start anyway.

I rebooted and ZA was absent but MWB had kicked in from somewhere else. It is shown as being active in the Virus and Threat protection settings page and it overrides some of Defender's functions. (It declares 'no threats found'.) However, I could add a new Exclusion and put in the c:\wamp64 folder.

I then reinstalled Wamp64 and started it up. Same symptoms. It took me a while but I tracked down the Quarantine folder but Windows refuses to let me view it, saying I don't have permission, and gaining permission is impossible as it says the Owner is 'SYSTEM' and I see no way of adding myself to the list after googling it for half an hour - none of the suggested ways work. If you know how, please tell me!

I looked at the logs and wamptrace.log now has
--- File cleaned up by Wampserver installation or update ---

There's still no sign of ..files\apacheloadedmodules.php though. I can list out any of the other logs if you want.

Colour me mystified. You too, maybe. It must be something in my system as I expect this is all working perfectly for everybody else. The only non-standard thing might be Malwarebytes but it seems that the only way to stop it from loading is to uninstall it, which I'm disinclined to do.

I use also Malwarebytes:
- Analysis and detection -> Authorized list
C:\wamp64
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
and, for both, Exclude from all detection.

For how to add or change OWNER of a file or folder, see Note 2 of TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS This is for the hosts file, but the process is the same for other files.

For Windows Defender the exclusions are in :

- Settings
- Privacy & Security
- Windows Security
- Virus and threat protection
- Virus and threat protection settings
-- Manage settings
--- Exclusions -> Add or remove exclusions

Sorry, but it's closing time for me!

---------------------------------------------------------------
Documentation Apache - Documentation PHP - Documentation MySQL - Wampserver install files & addons

Thanks for keeping this going.
I unfortunately misled you somewhat saying I had Malwarebytes installed. I don't. I have MalwareFighter instead. I used to have MWB but it was incompatible with some other product I had and it got removed. Sorry.

However, I really thought I'd cracked it this morning. You said earlier that Defender should have asked permission for httpd.exe, which it had not at any point. Well, I went through the Troubleshooting tips and at point 10 I manually started all the 'exe' files mentioned just to see what would happen. Both
C:\wamp64\bin\apache\apache2.4.62.1\bin\httpd.exe and
C:\wamp64\bin\mysql\mysql9.1.0\bin\mysqld.exe
resulted in Defender asking if they were to be allowed. Replied Yes (obviously) and they then appeared to open correctly.

Just to continue the exercise I tried the other exe files given in point 10:
mysql.exe started and disappeared after 5 secs.
mysqlcheck.exe started and disappeared immediately.
I tried the exe's in all the php folders too and they all worked except the one in php8.4.0 which gave an error:
Failed loading E:/wamp64/bin/php/php8.4.0/zend_ext/php_xdebug-3.4.0beta1-8.4-x86_64.dll.

I uninstalled wamp64, rebooted and reinstalled it, no problem. However, on starting it up I get exactly the same symptoms.

Still having no joy trying to access the Quarantine folder. It was giving different symptoms from the hosts file access and today if I try to open it it does nothing. Maybe Windows is counting the number of failed attempts and is cutting me off from it completely. I'm not convinced this is an anti-virus thing anyway.

The wamptrace.log shows just the 'File cleaned up' message.
The apache_erorr.log shows:
--- File cleaned up by Wampserver installation or update ---
[Fri Mar 21 12:08:21.097281 2025] [mpm_winnt:notice] [pid 15704:tid 380] AH00455: Apache/2.4.62 (Win64) PHP/8.3.14 mod_fcgid/2.3.10-dev configured -- resuming normal operations
[Fri Mar 21 12:08:21.097281 2025] [mpm_winnt:notice] [pid 15704:tid 380] AH00456: Apache Lounge VS17 Server built: Sep 4 2024 10:31:52
[Fri Mar 21 12:08:21.097281 2025] [core:notice] [pid 15704:tid 380] AH00094: Command line: 'c:\\wamp64\\bin\\apache\\apache2.4.62.1\\bin\\httpd.exe -d C:/wamp64/bin/apache/apache2.4.62.1'
[Fri Mar 21 12:08:21.174924 2025] [mpm_winnt:notice] [pid 15704:tid 380] AH00418: Parent: Created child process 4484
[Fri Mar 21 12:08:24.115213 2025] [mpm_winnt:notice] [pid 4484:tid 368] AH00354: Child: Starting 64 worker threads.


The php_error.log shows:
--- File cleaned up by Wampserver installation or update ---
[21-Mar-2025 12:08:17 UTC] PHP Warning: fopen(C:/WINDOWS/system32/drivers/etc/hosts): Failed to open stream: Resource temporarily unavailable in C:\wamp64\scripts\refresh.php on line 448
[21-Mar-2025 12:08:17 UTC] PHP Stack trace:
[21-Mar-2025 12:08:17 UTC] PHP 1. {main}() C:\wamp64\scripts\refresh.php:0
[21-Mar-2025 12:08:17 UTC] PHP 2. fopen($filename = 'C:/WINDOWS/system32/drivers/etc/hosts', $mode = 'r+b') C:\wamp64\scripts\refresh.php:448
[21-Mar-2025 12:08:17 UTC] PHP Fatal error: Uncaught TypeError: flock(): Argument #1 ($stream) must be of type resource, bool given in C:\wamp64\scripts\refresh.php:449
Stack trace:
#0 C:\wamp64\scripts\refresh.php(449): flock(false, 2)
#1 {main}
thrown in C:\wamp64\scripts\refresh.php on line 449

Would that 'fatal error' be significant?

> Would that 'fatal error' be significant?
A "fatal error" completely stops the PHP script !!!!!

This fatal error is caused by:
> PHP Warning: fopen(C:/WINDOWS/system32/drivers/etc/hosts): Failed to open stream:
> Resource temporarily unavailable in C:\wamp64\scripts\refresh.php on line 448
hosts files cannot be opened.

See items 9, 9.1 and Note 2 of TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS

I'll revise this part of the script to display a Warning and prevent it from generating a fatal error.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Documentation Apache - Documentation PHP - Documentation MySQL - Wampserver install files & addons

There appears to be a flaw in my system that is preventing apps from opening the hosts file. It's not just your script that can't do it. Powertoys gives an error saying the file is in use by another program when it tries to open it. I can actually open it with Notepad++ and it shows what it should show but it will not save any changes.

All the file permissions required are in effect.

So, this isn't any issue with wamp64. I had a Windows expert look at this and he is baffled, but I'll try to sort it out and when/if I do then I'm sure wamp64 will work like a dream.

Thank you for your attention and I apologise for throwing red herrings at you.

PS You might want to consider rewording the text in para 2 of (Note 2) in your Troubleshooting Tips document about editing the hosts file as it doesn't describe the way Windows 11 does it.