Can't create domain in Plesk: 'system.webServer/pleskProtectedUrls' cannot be read

Symptoms

Plesk fails to add new domains, and returns this error

Error: ProtDir_IIS::update() failed: Add Protected Directory failed: Filename: \?\C:\Inetpub\vhosts\example.com\httpdocs\web.config Error: The configuration section 'system.webServer/pleskProtectedUrls' cannot be read because it is missing a section declaration In module

Cause

Missing entries in applicationHost.config because plesk-urlprotection was installed incorrectly. This can happen due to hardware glitches, or network errors.

Resolution

Add the missing lines to the config file.

1. Connect to the server via RDP

2. Backup C:\Windows\System32\inetsrv\Config\applicationHost.config

3. Open C:\Windows\System32\inetsrv\Config\applicationHost.config and add the missing lines (in bold below) into the appropriate sections:

   <configuration>
   <configSections>
   ...
   <sectionGroup name="system.webServer">
   ...
   <section name="pleskProtectedUrls" overrideModeDefault="Deny" />
   ...
   </sectionGroup>
   ...
   </configSections>
   ...
   </configuration>

   <system.webServer>
   ...
   <globalModules>
   ...
   <add name="PleskUrlProtectionModule" image="%windir%\System32\inetsrv\pleskurlprotection.dll" />
   ...
   </globalModules>
   ...
   </system.webServer>