Unable to access logs and files for a domain: System error 13: Permission denied

Alexander Davydov

Updated January 13, 2026 18:59

Plesk for Linux kb: technical ABT: Group A

Applicable to:

The following error appears in Plesk web interface when attempting to open domain logs under Domains > example.com > Logs:

PLESK_ERROR: Internal error:
filemng failed: filemng: opendir failed: Permission denied system error 13: Permission denied
Message filemng failed: filemng: opendir failed: Permission denied system error 13: Permission denied
File Agent.php
Line 219
Type PleskUtilException
Attempt to change PHP settings fails in Domains > example.com > PHP Settings:
PLESK_ERROR: filemng failed: filemng: opendir failed: Permission denied system error 13: Permission denied
The same error as above is shown in an attempt to open File Manager in Domains > example.com.

Incorrect permissions/ownership set for directory, that contain log files.

Connect to the server via SSH as root
Execute the following commands to set correct permissions and ownership:
Note: Substitute example.com with affected domain name

# chown psaadm:root /var/www/vhosts/system/example.com/logs/
# chmod 700 /var/www/vhosts/system/example.com/logs/