Nginx: Invalid option "restart" - Shell/Bash

Introduction

In this topic, we will discuss the error message "Nginx: Invalid option 'restart'" in Shell/Bash. We will explore what this error means, possible causes, and how to resolve it.

Error Message

The error message "Nginx: Invalid option 'restart'" is typically encountered when trying to execute a command to restart the Nginx server using an incorrect or unsupported option. Nginx is a popular web server that is known for its high performance and scalability.

Possible Causes

There are a few possible causes for this error message:

1. Typo in the command: The command used to restart Nginx may contain a typographical error, such as using an incorrect option or misspelling the option.
2. Incorrect syntax: The command may have incorrect syntax, such as missing or misplaced arguments, causing the option 'restart' to be unrecognized.
3. Unsupported version: Some versions of Nginx may not support the 'restart' option. In such cases, alternative options like 'reload' or 'stop' followed by 'start' need to be used instead.

Solution

To resolve the "Nginx: Invalid option 'restart'" error, you can follow these steps:

1. Check command syntax: Verify the command you are using to restart Nginx has the correct syntax and option. Make sure there are no typos or missing arguments.
2. Use supported options: If the restart option is not supported by your Nginx version, consider using alternative options like 'reload' or a combination of 'stop' followed by 'start' to achieve the desired action.
3. Check Nginx version: Ensure that you are running a supported version of Nginx. You can check the Nginx documentation or run the nginx -v command to determine the version you are currently using.

Here is an example of using the 'reload' option to restart Nginx:

sudo service nginx reload

If you need to stop and start Nginx, you can use the following commands:

sudo service nginx stop
sudo service nginx start

Remember to replace sudo with the appropriate command if you are not running the commands as a privileged user.

Conclusion

The "Nginx: Invalid option 'restart'" error message occurs when attempting to restart Nginx using an unsupported or incorrect option. By following the suggested solutions in this guide, you should be able to resolve the issue and successfully restart Nginx.