Restart LiteSpeed Web Server to maintain fast, secure, and reliable website performance. Our LiteSpeed Support team is ready to assist you.
Guide to Restart LiteSpeed Web Server Easily
Websites need speed, reliability, and security to keep visitors engaged and businesses run smoothly. LiteSpeed is a powerful web server that delivers all of these, helping websites load faster, handle heavy traffic, and stay protected from attacks. This article includes what LiteSpeed is, why it matters, and how to restart it both from the command line and WHM to keep your server running efficiently.
What is LiteSpeed?

LiteSpeed is a high-performance web server that loads websites faster and handles traffic efficiently. It is capable of replacing Apache without changing your setup. The key features include built-in caching, anti-DDoS protection, and support for HTTP/3, making it a reliable option for speed and security. Our expert opinion highlights its compatibility with Litespeed cache gzip WordPress for faster content delivery.
Why LiteSpeed Matters
As mentioned above, LiteSpeed replaces Apache directly, using fewer resources while delivering strong performance. Pages often load in less than half a second, and the server can manage thousands of visitors with minimal memory use. The built-in caching and selective cache clearing speed up content delivery, while DDoS protection and anti-bot measures keep websites safe. The server works with Apache settings and provides easy management tools, making it an excellent solution for expanding websites and businesses. Using LiteSpeed xp_restore_verifyonly during maintenance ensures system integrity after updates.
Keep your LiteSpeed server always ready

When and Why to Restart LiteSpeed
Restarting LiteSpeed helps apply new settings, fix errors, and perform maintenance. It is needed after changing configurations, adding or removing domains, updating applications, or installing security updates. Restarts also resolve issues like an unresponsive server, 503 errors, or SSL problems. Routine updates and components like CloudLinux CageFS may require a restart to ensure everything runs smoothly.
How to Restart LiteSpeed from the Command Line
Restarting LiteSpeed helps apply new settings, fix errors, and perform maintenance.
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LiteSpeed Control Script
Connect via SSH, go to the installation directory, usually /usr/local/lsws, and run:
./bin/lswsctrl restartThis performs a graceful restart, completing active connections before restarting.
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Systemd
For servers using systemd, run:
sudo systemctl restart lsws
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Service Command
On older systems, use:
sudo service lsws restartThis approach keeps the server stable while applying changes efficiently.
How to Restart LiteSpeed Web Server from WHM
- Log in to WHM using your root credentials.
- In the sidebar, scroll to the Plugins section and select LiteSpeed Web Server.
- On the plugin page, click the Restart LiteSpeed button.
- Wait for WHM to process the request and restart the server.
- Check your websites to confirm they are loading correctly.
[Need assistance with a different issue? Our team is available 24/7.]
Conclusion
Restarting the LiteSpeed web server is executed to apply new settings, fix errors, and maintain smooth performance. It can be done using the command line or WHM. Following the proper steps ensures minimal downtime and keeps your server running efficiently.
