Unable to create the wordfence-waf.php

  • Resolved cnbsorg

    (@cnbsorg)


    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hi,

    I am trying to optimize the firewall, but keep getting:

    We were unable to create the wordfence-waf.php file in the root of the WordPress installation. It's possible WordPress cannot write to the wordfence-waf.php file because of file permissions. Please verify the permissions are correct and retry the installation.

    I checked in WF Diagnostics Tool, Process Owner: apache
    Which is also the owner of /var/www/html , as well as all sub directories including the root of course.

    I even tried 777 on /var/www/html, still didn’t work.

    Any idea how to keep debugging? I read every single relevant thread on the internet but didn’t find any solution for this, I am probably missing something here.

    Thank you.

    The page I need help with: [log in to see the link]

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 29 total)
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  • Scott

    (@scooter1)

    5 years, 2 months ago

    @cnbsorg
    Is there a .user.ini text file in the root?
    Also, the permission on the wordfence-waf.php file should be 0644

    Thread Starter cnbsorg

    (@cnbsorg)

    5 years, 2 months ago

    Hi, Thank you for replying.

    I don’t have any .user.ini in the root.

    And about wordfence-waf.php, I don’t have this file neither (“We were unable to create the wordfence-waf.php file in the root of the WordPress installation…”).

    How should I proceed?

    Thank you.

    Scott

    (@scooter1)

    5 years, 2 months ago

    Are you using cPanel?
    Do you have access to cPanel?

    Thread Starter cnbsorg

    (@cnbsorg)

    5 years, 2 months ago

    cPanel is not installed, I use SSH and SFTP.

    This is an Apache server.

    Scott

    (@scooter1)

    5 years, 2 months ago

    It looks as though you don’t have the WF plugin installed…?

    Thread Starter cnbsorg

    (@cnbsorg)

    5 years, 2 months ago

    Of course I do… I am trying to optimize it thru their admin panel after all…

    Scott

    (@scooter1)

    5 years, 2 months ago

    @cnbsorg
    Okay. I stated that because when I look at the page source of your site I don’t see the WF plugin in the code…
    Check this post and get back to me if/after you follow the suggestions:
    https://wordpress.org/support/topic/auto_prepend_file-rule-missing/#post-11032279

    Thanks

    Thread Starter cnbsorg

    (@cnbsorg)

    5 years, 2 months ago

    WAF auto prepend active No
    WAF log path ~/wp-content/wflogs/
    WAF subdirectory installation No
    wordfence-waf.php path (empty)
    WAF File Permissions 0660 – using template

    Should I try to remove it completely and reinstall? Honestly this is above my knowledge 🙂

    Thank you.

    Thread Starter cnbsorg

    (@cnbsorg)

    5 years, 2 months ago

    Of course when I press on “Optimize the Wordfence Firewall” as suggested in the link you mentioned – I just get the same message of “Unable to create the wordfence-waf.php”

    Scott

    (@scooter1)

    5 years, 2 months ago

    Yes. I would remove it completely and reinstall.
    If you want you can export your current settings, etc. Go To:
    Tools >> Import/Export Options. It will give you a code to copy and save, then import later.

    Make sure the database tables are deleted too
    Go To:
    WF All Options >> General Wordfence Options >> Delete Wordfence tables and data on deactivation.

    If you need a hand let me know…

    Thread Starter cnbsorg

    (@cnbsorg)

    5 years, 2 months ago

    I did exactly what you said, but still getting

    We were unable to create the wordfence-waf.php file in the root of the WordPress installation. It's possible WordPress cannot write to the wordfence-waf.php file because of file permissions. Please verify the permissions are correct and retry the installation.

    “WAF auto prepend active” is still on “No”.

    Any ideas left? 🙂

    • This reply was modified 5 years, 2 months ago by cnbsorg.
    Scott

    (@scooter1)

    5 years, 2 months ago

    You installed WF from the WordPress Plugin Install Page?

    Thread Starter cnbsorg

    (@cnbsorg)

    5 years, 2 months ago

    Yeah, from inside WordPress of course, Plugins -> Add new plugin -> Search for Wordfence

    • This reply was modified 5 years, 2 months ago by cnbsorg.
    Scott

    (@scooter1)

    5 years, 2 months ago

    Try clearing the cache…
    Also, you may have to uninstall and check the files and database to make sure everything is deleted. Then clear the cache and try to install again. Also, there’s a setting regarding “https” – let me look that up and I’ll get back to you.

    Thread Starter cnbsorg

    (@cnbsorg)

    5 years, 2 months ago

    Thank you.

    Just to note – I added the cache plugin just yesterday, this wordfence thing is not working for like 2 weeks.

    Also the cache is just for the front-end, I don’t see how it can be related, but it seems you know your stuff – will try exactly what you said and will reply here again (tomorrow).

    Thank you for your time!

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 29 total)
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