Frequently Asked Questions

Get Detailed Errors

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Last Updated: July 20, 2015 10:48 AM

By default, our Windows hosting accounts display a custom/generic error when applications generate an exception. This generic error prevents malicious users from obtaining sensitive information about your site.

To troubleshoot the issue, you can modify your web.config file and specify that a detailed error message displays instead of the custom error we created. A detailed error message helps you to locate the specific code that is causing the issue.

The code samples we provide below do not constitute a complete web.config file. Do not replace your existing web.config file with the code we provide. Before changing your web.config file, we recommend creating a backup.

You must first disable Custom Error Documents, and then add the detailed error coding to the pages for which you want them to display.

To Disable Custom Error Documents

  1. Log in to your Account Manager.
  2. Click Web Hosting.
  3. Next to the account you want to use, click Manage.
  4. In the section of the domain name you want to use, click Show More.
  5. Click Hosting Settings.
  6. Deselect Custom error documents, and then click OK.

Now, use the sample code in your web.config file to display detailed error messages on IIS 8:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<configuration>
	<system.webServer>
		<httpErrors errorMode="Detailed" existingResponse="PassThrough"/>
	</system.webServer>
</configuration>