How to fix the Cannot GET URL Error in a Node.js App on cPanel.

Many users face the “Cannot GET URL” error in Node.js apps on cPanel due to route mismatches. To fix Cannot GET URL Node.js cPanel setup app route, you need to understand how Phusion Passenger handles routing. This guide explains the Node.js Express Cannot GET error on cPanel Phusion Passenger, offers a cPanel Node.js Application URL mismatch Cannot GET fix, and shows how to include Application URL in Express routes for cPanel Node.js for smooth app performance.

Common causes:

• Missing Express routes, wrong paths, or the Node.js application URL not working in cPanel.

How Phusion Passenger handles routing in cPanel:

Phusion Passenger powers Node.js apps on cPanel and routes requests via the Application URL. Most Node.js Express cannot GET errors on cPanel Phusion Passenger happen due to mismatched routes. To fix Cannot GET URL Node.js cPanel setup app route, ensure your code matches the Application URL. This cPanel Node.js Application URL mismatch cannot be fixed by correctly including the Application URL in the Express routes cPanel Node.js.

For example, 
If you set your app URL to /nodeapp, then your app will be available at yourdomain.com/nodeapp.
If your code only supports routes like / or /demo, but your application URL is /nodeapp, your app won’t work properly, and you’ll get the “Cannot GET” error.

Steps to resolve “Cannot GET URL” error:

Step 1: Check the application URL in cPanel:

1. Log in to your cPanel.

2. Go to Setup Node.js App.

3. Check the value under application URL (for example, /nodeapp).

4. This is the path your app expects for incoming requests.

Step 2: Adjust routes in your Node.js application.
Ensure your routes in code match the application URL

Example using Express.js:

const express = require(‘express’);
const app = express();
app.get(‘/nodeapp/’, (req, res) => {
  res.send(‘Hello from /nodeapp’);

});
app.get(‘/nodeapp/demo/’, (req, res) => {
  res.send(‘Hello from /nodeapp/demo’);

});
const PORT = process.env.PORT || 3000;
app.listen(PORT, () => {
  console.log(`Server running on port ${PORT}`);

});

Step 3: Update .htaccess file (if necessary).
In some hosting setups, you may need to update the .htaccess file to forward requests properly.

Example:
RewriteEngine On
RewriteRule ^$ http://127.0.0.1:3000/ [P,L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ http://127.0.0.1:3000/$1 [P,L]

Note: Do this only if your hosting company requests it or if you have a custom VPS setup that uses Apache proxying.

Step 4: Restart Application:
Restart process:

• Go to Setup Node.js App in cPanel.
• Look for your app in the list.
• Press the “Restart” button.

This applies to any changes you’ve made to your code or settings.

Verify changes:

• Navigate to https://yourdomain.com/your-application-url/.

(For example, https://yourdomain.com/nodeapp/)

• you should now see your app’s response. Instead of the “Cannot GET” error.
• To ensure that everything works correctly, try visiting other defined routes, such as /nodeapp/demo/.

Check your route paths and the Application URL setting in cPanel again if you’re still getting the error.

The “Cannot GET” error in cPanel is commonly caused by route incompatibilities in your Node.js app. To qucikly resolve this issue, ensure that your routes match your application URL. Big Cloudy’s cPanel VPS Hosting is your go-to solution for hassle-free, dependable Node.js hosting with quick support.