Can't add "location /" to additional nginx directives in Plesk: nginx: [emerg] duplicate location "/"

Vincent Lauton

Updated January 09, 2026 18:09

Plesk for Linux kb: technical ABT: Group B

Applicable to:

Plesk for Linux

Symptoms

Adding location / to Domains > example.com > Apache & nginx > Additional nginx directives fails

Invalid nginx configuration: nginx: [emerg] duplicate location "/" in /data/www/system/example.com/conf/vhost_nginx.conf:1 nginx: configuration file /etc/nginx/nginx.conf test failed

Cause

The location / is already defined in the main domain configuration file when nginx is set up as a reverse proxy.

Resolution

Note: If the directives are for enabling WordPress permalinks, use this article: 404 Not Found after switching WordPress to FPM by nginx

To add location / to additional nginx directives:

Disable nginx proxy mode

Log in to Plesk GUI
Go to Domains > example.com > Hosting & DNS > Apache & nginx directives
Temporarily remove the additional nginx directive that has location /
Disable Proxy Mode and click Apply
Go to Domains > example.com > Dashboard > PHP
Untick the box PHP support
Add the directive back to Additional nginx directives and click Apply

Create custom nginx config templates

The following documentation shows how to create custom templates for the virtual hosts:

Changing Virtual Hosts Settings Using Configuration Templates

Warning: The changes in the virtual hosts configuration templates are applied to all domains on the server.