Solved: Invalid command ‘SSLEngine

Better Stack Team
Updated on May 4, 2022

Problem

Apache refuses to start prompting Invalid command 'SSLEngine'Error'

Cause of the problem

This frequently happens on fresh Apache servers. When Apache starts it reads through the configuration files. When it encounters SSLEngine directive, it considers it as unknown. This is caused by the fact that the server’s basic configuration does not have mod_ssl module installed or enabled.

Solution

On CentOS/RedHat systems

Run the following command to install mod_ssl

 
sudo yum install mod_ssl

On Ubuntu/Debian systems

Run the following command to enable the module:

 
sudo a2enmod ssl

SSL module should be enabled by now.