Debian – Dovecot “Address already in use” error

debiandovecotimappop3

I've some problem with starting dovecot server. I get the following error:

Failed to start Dovecot :
Error: service(imap-login): listen(*, 143) failed: Address already in use
Error: service(imap-login): listen(::, 143) failed: Address already in use
Error: service(imap-login): listen(*, 993) failed: Address already in use
Error: service(imap-login): listen(::, 993) failed: Address already in use
Fatal: Failed to start listeners

So I run netstat command for 993 port:

# netstat -lnp | grep 993
tcp        0      0 0.0.0.0:993             0.0.0.0:*               LISTEN      1/init          
tcp6       0      0 :::993                  :::*                    LISTEN      1/init

What can I do to stop init process listening on these ports?

EDIT

Result of systemctl -all list-sockets command:

# systemctl -all list-sockets
LISTEN                          UNIT                            ACTIVATES
/run/acpid.socket               acpid.socket                    acpid.service
/run/dmeventd-client            dm-event.socket                 dm-event.service
/run/dmeventd-server            dm-event.socket                 dm-event.service
/run/lvm/lvmetad.socket         lvm2-lvmetad.socket             lvm2-lvmetad.service
/run/systemd/initctl/fifo       systemd-initctl.socket          systemd-initctl.service
/run/systemd/journal/dev-log    systemd-journald-dev-log.socket systemd-journald.service
/run/systemd/journal/socket     systemd-journald.socket         systemd-journald.service
/run/systemd/journal/stdout     systemd-journald.socket         systemd-journald.service
/run/systemd/journal/syslog     syslog.socket                   rsyslog.service
/run/systemd/shutdownd          systemd-shutdownd.socket        systemd-shutdownd.service
/run/udev/control               systemd-udevd-control.socket    systemd-udevd.service
/var/run/clamav/clamd.ctl       clamav-daemon.socket            clamav-daemon.service
/var/run/dbus/system_bus_socket dbus.socket                     dbus.service
0.0.0.0:143                     dovecot.socket                  dovecot.service
0.0.0.0:993                     dovecot.socket                  dovecot.service
[::]:143                        dovecot.socket                  dovecot.service
[::]:993                        dovecot.socket                  dovecot.service
kobject-uevent 1                systemd-udevd-kernel.socket     systemd-udevd.service
18 sockets listed.

Best Answer

Try to stop socket and restart dovecot.

systemctl stop dovecot.socket
systemctl start dovecot.service

Looks like socket for dovecot was started before dovecot start.

Related Topic