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How to Fix XAMPP Port 80 and 443 In Use Error by Skype on Windows 11

If you are trying to run XAMPP on your Windows 11 PC and encounter errors related to port 80 or 443 being in use, this is often caused by Skype using these ports. These ports are essential for web servers and secure connections, so conflicts prevent XAMPP’s Apache server from starting properly.

This guide will walk you through very simple steps to fix the port conflicts caused by Skype. You do not need advanced technical knowledge to follow along.

By the end, you will understand how to free these ports or configure Skype and XAMPP to coexist without issues.

Let’s get started with some quick checks and prerequisites before diving into the solutions.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Checks

  • Make sure you have administrative access on your Windows 11 computer. Some changes require admin rights.
  • Close all unnecessary applications, especially Skype and XAMPP, before making changes.
  • Confirm that Skype is running and may be using ports 80 and 443. This is the common cause of the conflict.
  • Know that port 80 is the default port for HTTP traffic, and port 443 is for HTTPS traffic, so these must be free for Apache to work.

Step 1: Temporarily Close Skype

The simplest way to check if Skype is causing the port conflict is to close it completely.

  1. Locate the Skype icon in the system tray (bottom right corner of your screen).
  2. Right-click the Skype icon and select Quit or Exit.
  3. Alternatively, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, find Skype in the processes list, select it, and click End Task.
  4. Now, try starting Apache from the XAMPP control panel again.

If Apache starts successfully, then Skype was using one or both ports. You can either keep Skype closed while using XAMPP or proceed to configure Skype to stop using these ports.

Step 2: Disable Skype’s Use of Ports 80 and 443

Skype by default sometimes uses ports 80 and 443 for incoming connections, which conflicts with XAMPP. You can tell Skype not to use these ports.

  1. Open Skype.
  2. Click the three-dot menu icon (or navigate to Settings).
  3. Go to Settings > Advanced > Connection. (Depending on your Skype version, this might be under different tabs like Advanced Settings or Connection.)
  4. Find the option labeled Use port 80 and 443 as alternatives for incoming connections.
  5. Uncheck or disable this option.
  6. Save your settings and close Skype completely.
  7. Restart Skype and then try starting Apache again in XAMPP.

This prevents Skype from using ports 80 and 443, allowing Apache to use them without conflict.

Step 3: Change Skype’s Listening Port (Alternative Method)

If disabling the option above is not available or does not resolve the issue, you can change the ports Skype listens on.

  1. Open Skype and go to its settings menu.
  2. Look for Connection or Advanced Settings.
  3. If you find an option to set a custom port, change the ports to something other than 80 and 443, for example, 8080 or 8443.
  4. Save the settings and restart Skype.
  5. Try running Apache again in XAMPP.

This method helps if Skype insists on using those ports by default.

Step 4: Change Apache’s Listening Ports in XAMPP (If You Prefer Skype to Keep Ports)

If you want Skype to keep using ports 80 and 443, you can configure Apache to listen on different ports.

  1. Open the XAMPP control panel.
  2. Click on Config next to Apache and select httpd.conf.
  3. In the file that opens, look for the line:
    4. Listen 80
  4. Change it to another port, such as:
    5. Listen 8080
  5. Then search for the line:
    6. ServerName localhost:80
  6. Change it to:
    7. ServerName localhost:8080
  7. Save and close the file.
  8. Next, go back to the XAMPP control panel, click Config next to Apache again, and select httpd-ssl.conf (for HTTPS port 443).
  9. Find the line:
    10. Listen 443
  10. Change it to:
    11. Listen 8443
  11. Also find:
    12. VirtualHost _default_:443
  12. Change it to:
    13. VirtualHost _default_:8443
  13. Save and close the file.
  14. Restart Apache via XAMPP control panel.
  15. Now, to access your local server, you will need to specify the port in the browser, e.g., http://localhost:8080 or https://localhost:8443.

This method avoids conflicts by using different ports but requires remembering to add the port number in URLs.

Step 5: Check Which Program is Using Ports 80 and 443

If you are unsure whether Skype or another program is using the ports, you can check manually.

  1. Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter to open Command Prompt.
  2. Type the following command and press Enter:
    3. netstat -aon | findstr :80
  3. You will see a list of processes using port 80. Note the PID (Process ID) at the right.
  4. To identify the program, type:
    5. tasklist /FI "PID eq [PID_Number]"
  5. Replace [PID_Number] with the actual number from the previous step.
  6. Repeat the process for port 443:
    7. netstat -aon | findstr :443

This helps confirm exactly which application is causing the conflict.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why does Skype use ports 80 and 443?

Skype uses ports 80 and 443 because these are standard web ports that are often open on most networks. Using them helps Skype bypass firewalls and connect easily.

Can I safely disable Skype’s use of these ports?

Yes, disabling Skype’s use of ports 80 and 443 will not affect its normal functionality significantly. It will just use other ports for connections.

Will changing Apache’s ports affect my websites?

Changing Apache’s ports means you must specify the new port in your browser URL. For example, if you use port 8080, you need to visit http://localhost:8080. Your websites will still work correctly on the new port.

Why is it important to free ports 80 and 443?

Ports 80 and 443 are the default ports for HTTP and HTTPS traffic. Apache needs these ports to serve web pages using the standard URLs without extra port numbers.

Is restarting Skype or XAMPP necessary after changes?

Yes, to apply any changes to port usage, you must restart both Skype and Apache in XAMPP. This ensures the new settings take effect.

When Nothing Works

If none of the above solutions resolve the port conflict, you can try these final options:

  • Restart your computer: Sometimes, processes get stuck and a reboot clears port usage.
  • Check for other applications: Programs like IIS, VMware, or other web servers might also use these ports.
  • Disable IIS (Internet Information Services): If enabled, IIS can occupy port 80. You can disable it by going to Turn Windows features on or off and unchecking IIS.
  • Use official XAMPP forums and support: Visit XAMPP Community Forums for additional help.
  • Check Skype updates: Sometimes newer versions of Skype have better port management.

Conclusion

Port conflicts on Windows 11 between Skype and XAMPP are common but easy to fix. By either closing Skype, disabling its use of ports 80 and 443, or changing ports for either Skype or Apache, you can get your local server running smoothly again.

It is best to start with the simplest steps like closing Skype or adjusting its settings before moving to more advanced options like changing Apache ports. Knowing how to check which app is using your ports also helps you diagnose similar issues in the future.

With these clear steps, you should be able to resolve the port 80 and 443 in use error quickly and continue your development work without interruptions.

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