Knowledge Base

Default domain page is shown for a domain in Plesk despite the valid index file exists

Symptom

Domain example.com was created in Plesk using the Domains > Add domain button.
After that, the content of the website was transferred to the current server from another Plesk server or added manually.
When accessing a website in a browser the Default webpage generated for example.com is displayed, despite that fact, the valid Index file, for example, index.php or Default.aspx file exists in the domain's document root.

Cause

A new empty domain with a default virtual host structure was created before the content of the domain was imported/created.

The Domain Default Page (index.html file) is automatically deployed during the domain creation. By default, index.html has priority over other index files. The second index file is not processed due to the fact that it has a lower priority.

Resolution

In order to increase the priority for another index file over index.html perform the following:

For Linux

Log into Plesk.
Go to Domains > example.com > Hosting & DNS tab > Apache & nginx Settings.
Switch the Index files option to Enter custom value.
Place the required index file at the beginning of the line, for example:
Apply changes.

For Windows

Log into Plesk.
Go to Domains > example.com > Hosting & DNS tab > IIS Settings.
In the Default documents field change the order of index files and place the required file above the Index.html, for example:
Apply changes.

Note: In case the default index.html file is not required, it is also possible to rename or delete it in Domains > example.com > File Manager.