Unable to remove additional FTP account: /usr/sbin/userdel execution failed

Symptoms

• Unable to remove additional FTP account in Domains > example.com > FTP Access:

  PLESK_ERROR: Unable to execute usermng: usermng: /usr/sbin/userdel execution failed:
  userdel: user exampleuser is currently used by process 5022
  usermng: Unable to delete user:

• PHP as FPM application is selected in Domains > example.com > PHP Settings.

Cause

This is Plesk bug with ID #PPPM-4225 that was fixed in Plesk Onyx.

Resolution

Upgrade to the latest Plesk version .

If upgrade is not possible:

1. Log into Plesk.

2. Go to Domains > example.com > PHP Settings and switch PHP handler to one with CGI/FastCGI support.

3. Go to Domains > example.com > FTP Access and remove the account.

4. Switch back to PHP as FPM application in Domains > example.com > PHP Settings.

If the steps above did not help remove this account directly from the server with the below steps:

1. Connect to the server via SSH.

2. Backup Plesk database.

3. Find ID of the necessary account:

   # plesk db "select account_id from sys_users where login='exampleuser'"
   +------------+
   | account_id |
   +------------+
   | 11 |
   +------------+

4. Remove the account from the database:

   # plesk db "delete from accounts where id=11"
   # plesk db "delete from sys_users where login='exampleuser'"

5. Remove the user from the system:

   # /usr/sbin/userdel exampleuser