Website hosted in Plesk returns error Internal Server Error: Could not create a Disk Cache Sub-directory for the Application Pool

Symptoms

• ASP website hosted in Plesk shows Internal Server Error;

• The following error can be found in Event Viewer > Windows Logs > Applications:

  CONFIG_TEXT: The Template Persistent Cache initialization failed for Application Pool 'domain.tld(domain)(2.0)(pool)' because of the following error: Could not create a Disk Cache Sub-directory for the Application Pool. The data may have additional error codes.

Cause

Missing system folders or incorrect permissions.

Resolution

Note: This article may require additional administrative knowledge to apply. If any help required, contact server’s administrator or hosting support. 

1. Connect to the server via RDP.

2. Execute the command below in the Command Prompt to list the path for ASP cache:

   C:\> %windir%\system32\inetsrv\appcmd list config -section:system.webServer/asp
   
   <system.webServer>
   <asp>
   <session />
   <comPlus />
   <cache diskTemplateCacheDirectory="%SystemDrive%\inetpub\emp\ASP Compiled Templates" />
   <limits />
   </asp>
   </system.webServer>

3. Ensure that the path from the output above exists ("%SystemDrive%\inetpub\emp\ASP Compiled Templates"`):`

   C:\> mkdir "%SystemDrive%\inetpub\emp\ASP Compiled Templates"
   
   A subdirectory or file C:\inetpub\emp\ASP Compiled Templates already exists.

4. Ensure the folder permissions include NETWORK SERVICE :

   C:\> icacls "%SystemDrive%\inetpub\emp\ASP Compiled Templates" /grant "NETWORK SERVICE:(OI)(CI)(M)"
   
   processed file: C:\inetpub\emp\ASP Compiled Templates
   Successfully processed 1 files; Failed processing 0 files

5. Restart the IIS service:

   C:\> iisreset