# $OpenLDAP$
# Copyright 2007-2026 The OpenLDAP Foundation, All Rights Reserved.
# COPYING RESTRICTIONS APPLY, see COPYRIGHT.

H1: Troubleshooting

If you're having trouble using OpenLDAP, get onto the
OpenLDAP-Software mailing list, or:

* Browse the list archives at {{URL:http://www.openldap.org/lists/#archives}} 
* Search the FAQ at {{URL:http://www.openldap.org/faq/}}
* Search the Issue Tracking System at {{URL:http://www.openldap.org/its/}}

Chances are the problem has been solved and explained in detail many times before.

H2: User or Software errors?

More often than not, an error is caused by a configuration problem or a misunderstanding
of what you are trying to implement and/or achieve. 

We will now attempt to discuss common user errors.

H2: Checklist

The following checklist can help track down your problem. Please try to use if {{B:before}}
posting to the list, or in the rare circumstances of reporting a bug.

.{{S: }}
^{{B: Use the {{slaptest}} tool to verify configurations before starting {{slapd}}}}

.{{S: }}
+{{B: Verify that {{slapd}} is listening to the specified port(s) (389 and 636, generally) before trying the {{ldapsearch}}}}

.{{S: }}
+{{B: Can you issue an {{ldapsearch}}?}}

.{{S: }}
+{{B: If not, have you enabled complex ACLs without fully understanding them?}}

.{{S: }}
+{{B: Do you have a system wide LDAP setting pointing to the wrong LDAP Directory?}}

.{{S: }}
+{{B: Are you using TLS?}}

.{{S: }}
+{{B: Have your certificates expired?}}

H2: OpenLDAP Bugs

Sometimes you may encounter an actual OpenLDAP bug, in which case please visit 
our Issue Tracking system {{URL:http://www.openldap.org/its/}} and report it.
However, make sure it's not already a known bug or a common user problem.

* bugs in historic versions of OpenLDAP will not be considered;
* bugs in released versions that are no longer present in the Git master branch, 
either because they have been fixed or because they no longer apply, 
will not be considered as well;
* bugs in distributions of OpenLDAP software that are not related to the 
software as provided by OpenLDAP will not be considered; in those cases please 
refer to the distributor.

Note: Our Issue Tracking system is {{B:NOT}} for OpenLDAP {{B:Support}}, please join our
mailing Lists: {{URL:http://www.openldap.org/lists/}} for that.

The information you should provide in your bug report is discussed in our FAQ-O-MATIC at
{{URL:http://www.openldap.org/faq/data/cache/59.html}}

H2: 3rd party software error

The OpenLDAP Project only supports OpenLDAP software. 

You may however seek commercial support ({{URL:http://www.openldap.org/support/}}) or join 
the general LDAP forum for non-commercial discussions and information relating to LDAP at: 
{{URL:http://www.umich.edu/~dirsvcs/ldap/mailinglist.html}}


H2: How to contact the OpenLDAP Project

* Mailing Lists: {{URL:http://www.openldap.org/lists/}}
* Project: {{URL: http://www.openldap.org/project/}}
* Issue Tracking: {{URL:http://www.openldap.org/its/}}


H2: How to present your problem


H2: Debugging {{slapd}}(8)

After reading through the above sections and before e-mailing the OpenLDAP lists, you
might want to try out some of the following to track down the cause of your problems:

* A loglevel of stats (256) is generally a good first loglevel to use for getting
  information useful to list members on issues. This is the default loglevel if none is configured.
* Running {{slapd -d -1}} can often track down fairly simple issues, such as 
  missing schemas and incorrect file permissions for the {{slapd}} user to things like certs
* Check your logs for errors, as discussed at {{URL:http://www.openldap.org/faq/data/cache/358.html}}

H2: Commercial Support

The firms listed at {{URL:http://www.openldap.org/support/}} offer technical support services catering to OpenLDAP community. 

The listing of any given firm should not be viewed as an endorsement or recommendation of any kind, nor as otherwise indicating 
there exists a business relationship or an affiliation between any listed firm and the OpenLDAP Foundation or the OpenLDAP Project or its contributors.
