Linux / Server

Permission denied

The user/process doesn't have permission to read, write, or execute that file or resource.

What it looks like

bash: ./deploy.sh: Permission denied
Error: EACCES: permission denied, open '/var/log/app.log'

What does "Permission denied" mean?

Reported by the shell, the operating system or a program (Node shows EACCES, Python PermissionError) when the user running it lacks the right to read, write or execute a file, or to use a resource such as a low port.

What causes "Permission denied"?

• File owned by another user, or wrong mode bits.
• Trying to bind a privileged port (<1024) as non-root.
• A directory in the path isn't accessible.

How do I confirm the cause?

1. Check who owns the file and its mode bits with ls -l, and which user is running the process with whoami or ps.
2. For scripts, check the execute bit (chmod +x script.sh) and that the filesystem is not mounted noexec.
3. Check every directory on the path: you need execute permission on each folder to reach a file inside it.

How do I fix "Permission denied"?

• Check ownership/permissions (ls -l) and fix with chown/chmod.
• Run with the right user (avoid blanket sudo).
• For ports <1024 use a reverse proxy or grant CAP_NET_BIND_SERVICE.

How do I stop it happening again?

• Run services as a dedicated user that owns only the files it needs.
• Avoid running things with sudo just to get past this error — it tends to leave root-owned files behind that cause the next one.

Got a different error? Paste it into the Explain This Error tool → Identifies the family and the fix — runs locally, nothing uploaded.

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