Page not found 404 error when installing Expression Engine CMS on Azure Web App

Question

Page not found 404 error when installing Expression Engine CMS on Azure Web App

Jamie Soon 145

Dear Azure Support,

This question is related to my other question "Where do I get the database name, username and password on my web app" which has been resolved.

Now I'm trying to install the actual Expression Engine installer. I didn't add any SSL certificate line of code yet because I can't find the file to edit.

https://webdesigner4theworld.com/expressionengine/admin.php

Anyway I ran the installation and I'm getting a 404 page not found error. Attached screenshots.

Based on the Expression Engine installation instructions, I have set file permissions using Filezilla ftp software. https://docs.expressionengine.com/v6/installation/installation.html

Anyway, could you please

try installing Expression Engine to reproduce the error and let me know if there is a way to resolve it. Thank you.
This is the line of code in my previous question that I should put in somewhere in the actually Expression Engine installation folder but I don't know which file to edit. Thank you so much.

PDO::MYSQL_ATTR_SSL_CA => '/home/site/wwwroot/ssl/DigiCertGlobalRootCA.crt.pem', // Update this path to where you've uploaded the cert
PDO::MYSQL_ATTR_SSL_VERIFY_SERVER_CERT => false, // Only use this for testing!

image025-expressionengine-install

image026-expressionengine-install

image027-expressionengine-install

Alekhya Vaddepally 1,260 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-04-22T11:51:15.8733333+00:00
Hi Jamie Soon
You are encountering a "File not found" error at while installing Expression Engine CMS on Azure App Service. This issue usually happens when the file is either not in the root directory (/site/wwwroot/) or the web server is not properly configured to serve it.

Based on the screenshots you shared, the admin.php file is located in a subdirectory /expressionengine/ (/site/wwwroot/expressionengine/admin.php). However, your browser is trying to access it at the root level: , which only works if the file is directly in /site/wwwroot/.

To resolve this, you need to move the ExpressionEngine CMS files (especially admin.php) from /site/wwwroot/expressionengine/ to /site/wwwroot/, the web root for Azure App Services.

Open the Kudu console.

Navigate to site > wwwroot > expressionengine.

Select all files and copy or move them to the wwwroot folder.

Once done, access the URL again to ensure it loads correctly.

Additionally, make sure your App Service is configured to use PHP as the runtime stack. You can verify and set this in Azure Portal > App Service > Configuration > General Settings. If not set, your PHP files won’t be interpreted correctly. Reference docs:
Configure PHP apps in Azure App Service

For Expression Engine's official installation guide, you can follow this documentation which includes file placement and permission setup instructions:
ExpressionEngine Installation Docs
https://docs.expressionengine.com/v6/installation/best-practices.html#moving-the-system-directory-above-webroot
if you have any further concerns or queries, please feel free to reach out to us.
Jamie Soon 145 Reputation points

2025-04-23T05:17:30.2266667+00:00

Thanks Alekhya
Alekhya Vaddepally 1,260 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-04-23T12:44:09.15+00:00

Hi Jamie Soon,
I wanted to follow up on the issue that you provided and check if the response we provided was helpful. Please let us know if everything is working as expected now, or if you still need any assistance
Prabhavathi Manchala 1,220 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-04-23T23:34:10.8466667+00:00

Hi Jamie Soon,

I wanted to follow up on the issue that you provided and check if the response we provided was helpful. Please let us know if everything is working as expected now, or if you still need any assistance.
Jamie Soon 145 Reputation points

2025-04-24T02:25:27.6233333+00:00

Hi Prabhavathi / Alekhya,

How do I access kudu console ? Attached screenshot (refer to URL that I'm trying to fill in)

regards

Jamie
Jamie Soon 145 Reputation points

2025-04-24T03:01:50.25+00:00

Hi Prabhavathi / Alekhya,

I'm still getting 404 error. I have moved the installation files to the root, and I checked my web app configuration is php stack. Attached some screenshots. Any ideas let me know.

Thank you.

regards

Jamie
Jamie Soon 145 Reputation points

2025-04-24T03:10:58.17+00:00

Does it have something to do with this https://stackoverflow.com/questions/74369181/changed-my-azure-app-service-to-php-8-1-nginx-keeps-returning-404

As for file permissions, I'm suppose to change some folders to 777 and files to 666. I have done this on filezilla. Why does the number change back to xxx ? Thank you.
Sampath 3,015 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-04-24T06:02:49.0433333+00:00
Hello @Jamie Soon ,

Step by step guide to get MySQL connection details in Azure Web App:

Go to Azure Portal

Open your Web App in the Azure portal.

Navigate to Configuration

Under the Settings section, go to Configuration.

Check the Application settings and Connection strings tabs.

Find the MySQL connection string

Look for a connection string with something like:

Database=jamiesoonwebsite-database;Data Source=mydb.mysql.database.azure.com;User Id=myuser@mydb;Password=yourpassword;

Database name: jamiesoonwebsite-database

Server address: mydb.mysql.database.azure.com

Username: myuser@mydb

Password: as provided in the string

Make sure you do not use localhost as the server address. Azure does not run MySQL locally in the Web App, it connects to an external MySQL service (azure database for MySQL).

Enter these values in the EE Wizard

Use these in the ExpressionEngine wizard:

Server address: use the Data Source value (e.g., mydb.mysql.database.azure.com)

Name: use the Database value

Username: use the User Id

Password: from the connection string

Common error reasons:

Using localhost instead of the Azure MySQL server address.

Typo in username or password.

Database not yet created (ExpressionEngine does not auto create it).

Tip:

If you are using Azure Database for MySQL, make sure:

The firewall rules allow access from Azure services or your Web App.

SSL settings match what the CMS expects (some CMS setups require SSL to be turned off for testing).Step by step guide to get MySQL connection details in Azure Web App:

Go to Azure Portal

Open your Web App in the Azure portal.

Navigate to Configuration

Under the Settings section, go to Configuration.

Check the Application settings and Connection strings tabs.

Find the MySQL connection string

Look for a connection string with something like:

Database=jamiesoonwebsite-database;Data Source=mydb.mysql.database.azure.com;User Id=myuser@mydb;Password=yourpassword;

Database name: jamiesoonwebsite-database

Server address: mydb.mysql.database.azure.com

Username: myuser@mydb

Password: as provided in the string Make sure you do not use localhost as the server address. Azure does not run MySQL locally in the Web App, it connects to an external MySQL service (azure database for MySQL).

Enter these values in the EE Wizard

Use these in the ExpressionEngine wizard:

Server address: use the Data Source value (e.g., mydb.mysql.database.azure.com)

Name: use the Database value

Username: use the User Id

Password: from the connection string Common error reasons: Using localhost instead of the Azure MySQL server address. Typo in username or password.

Database not yet created (ExpressionEngine does not auto create it). Tip: If you are using Azure Database for MySQL, make sure: The firewall rules allow access from Azure services or your Web App.

SSL settings match what the CMS expects (some CMS setups require SSL to be turned off for testing). Refer this link for Installing ExpressionEngine
Jamie Soon 145 Reputation points

2025-04-24T06:15:06.1633333+00:00

Thanks Sampath, but I'm not using EE wizard, I'm installing the full installation of Expression Engine.
Sirra Sneha 550 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-04-24T06:21:51.6+00:00

Hi @Jamie Soon ,

Are you following this document for installing, if not please follow this document for installation and also please share if you're following any other document.
Jamie Soon 145 Reputation points

2025-04-24T07:09:59.05+00:00

Ok I think I need to change the file permissions using the linux kudu console, bash
Sirra Sneha 550 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-04-25T04:25:17.5533333+00:00

Hi @Jamie Soon ,

We haven't heard any response from you and If you have any further updates on this issue, please feel free to post back.
Jamie Soon 145 Reputation points

2025-04-26T00:55:00.1366667+00:00

Thanks Sirra. I'm going to try a C# based content management system like Umbraco Cloud. Maybe a window's based system would be better for working in Azure. https://our.umbraco.com/download/
Sampath 3,015 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-04-28T06:11:10.89+00:00

Hello @Jamie Soon , Is your problem resolved.
Jamie Soon 145 Reputation points

2025-04-28T06:14:15.62+00:00

Yes Sampath, I will try another different Content Management System. Can close the ticket. Thanks for Azure's support team's help.
Deleted

This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
Jamie Soon 145 Reputation points

2025-04-28T21:54:56.03+00:00

I don't think Azure allows me to change file permissions from Filezilla FTP client. So I have to use Kudu console. But it is Linux and I have to key in instructions in Bash ? I'm afraid I might make a mistake so I stopped trying to install Expression Engine. So I haven't made any changes to the file permissions. But the Expression Engine support people are going in to have a look and see what's wrong. Thanks Grmacjon.

Accepted answer

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Alekhya Vaddepally 1,260 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-04-22T11:51:15.8733333+00:00

Hi Jamie Soon
You are encountering a "File not found" error at while installing Expression Engine CMS on Azure App Service. This issue usually happens when the file is either not in the root directory (/site/wwwroot/) or the web server is not properly configured to serve it.

Based on the screenshots you shared, the admin.php file is located in a subdirectory /expressionengine/ (/site/wwwroot/expressionengine/admin.php). However, your browser is trying to access it at the root level: , which only works if the file is directly in /site/wwwroot/.

To resolve this, you need to move the ExpressionEngine CMS files (especially admin.php) from /site/wwwroot/expressionengine/ to /site/wwwroot/, the web root for Azure App Services.

Open the Kudu console.

Navigate to site > wwwroot > expressionengine.

Select all files and copy or move them to the wwwroot folder.

Once done, access the URL again to ensure it loads correctly.

Additionally, make sure your App Service is configured to use PHP as the runtime stack. You can verify and set this in Azure Portal > App Service > Configuration > General Settings. If not set, your PHP files won’t be interpreted correctly. Reference docs:
Configure PHP apps in Azure App Service

For Expression Engine's official installation guide, you can follow this documentation which includes file placement and permission setup instructions:
ExpressionEngine Installation Docs
https://docs.expressionengine.com/v6/installation/best-practices.html#moving-the-system-directory-above-webroot
if you have any further concerns or queries, please feel free to reach out to us.
Jamie Soon 145 Reputation points

2025-04-23T05:17:30.2266667+00:00

Thanks Alekhya
Alekhya Vaddepally 1,260 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-04-23T12:44:09.15+00:00

Hi Jamie Soon,
I wanted to follow up on the issue that you provided and check if the response we provided was helpful. Please let us know if everything is working as expected now, or if you still need any assistance
Prabhavathi Manchala 1,220 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-04-23T23:34:10.8466667+00:00

Hi Jamie Soon,

I wanted to follow up on the issue that you provided and check if the response we provided was helpful. Please let us know if everything is working as expected now, or if you still need any assistance.
Jamie Soon 145 Reputation points

2025-04-24T02:25:27.6233333+00:00

Hi Prabhavathi / Alekhya,

How do I access kudu console ? Attached screenshot (refer to URL that I'm trying to fill in)

regards

Jamie
Jamie Soon 145 Reputation points

2025-04-24T03:01:50.25+00:00

Hi Prabhavathi / Alekhya,

I'm still getting 404 error. I have moved the installation files to the root, and I checked my web app configuration is php stack. Attached some screenshots. Any ideas let me know.

Thank you.

regards

Jamie
Jamie Soon 145 Reputation points

2025-04-24T03:10:58.17+00:00

Does it have something to do with this https://stackoverflow.com/questions/74369181/changed-my-azure-app-service-to-php-8-1-nginx-keeps-returning-404

As for file permissions, I'm suppose to change some folders to 777 and files to 666. I have done this on filezilla. Why does the number change back to xxx ? Thank you.
Jamie Soon 145 Reputation points

2025-04-24T06:15:06.1633333+00:00

Thanks Sampath, but I'm not using EE wizard, I'm installing the full installation of Expression Engine.
Sirra Sneha 550 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-04-24T06:21:51.6+00:00

Hi @Jamie Soon ,

Are you following this document for installing, if not please follow this document for installation and also please share if you're following any other document.
Jamie Soon 145 Reputation points

2025-04-24T07:09:59.05+00:00

Ok I think I need to change the file permissions using the linux kudu console, bash
Sirra Sneha 550 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-04-25T04:25:17.5533333+00:00

Hi @Jamie Soon ,

We haven't heard any response from you and If you have any further updates on this issue, please feel free to post back.
Jamie Soon 145 Reputation points

2025-04-26T00:55:00.1366667+00:00

Thanks Sirra. I'm going to try a C# based content management system like Umbraco Cloud. Maybe a window's based system would be better for working in Azure. https://our.umbraco.com/download/
Sampath 3,015 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-04-28T06:11:10.89+00:00

Hello @Jamie Soon , Is your problem resolved.
Jamie Soon 145 Reputation points

2025-04-28T06:14:15.62+00:00

Yes Sampath, I will try another different Content Management System. Can close the ticket. Thanks for Azure's support team's help.
Deleted

This comment has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The comment was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.
Jamie Soon 145 Reputation points

2025-04-28T21:54:56.03+00:00

I don't think Azure allows me to change file permissions from Filezilla FTP client. So I have to use Kudu console. But it is Linux and I have to key in instructions in Bash ? I'm afraid I might make a mistake so I stopped trying to install Expression Engine. So I haven't made any changes to the file permissions. But the Expression Engine support people are going in to have a look and see what's wrong. Thanks Grmacjon.

Answer 1

Hi @Jamie Soon,

I'm glad that you were able to resolve your issue and thank you for posting your solution so that others experiencing the same thing can easily reference this!

Since the Microsoft Q&A community has a policy that "The question author cannot accept their own answer. They can only accept answers by others ", I'll repost your solution in case you'd like to "Accept " the answer.

Issue :

A 404 page not found error occurred during the installation of Expression Engine CMS on Azure Web App, despite setting file permissions using Filezilla.

Solution :

The issue was resolved by trying a different content management system (Umbraco Cloud), which is Windows-native and often better suited for Azure App Service environments.

Refer this for installation of Umbraco

Please click Accept Answer and kindly upvote it so that other people who faces similar issue may get benefitted from it.

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Page not found 404 error when installing Expression Engine CMS on Azure Web App

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