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If the welcome page remains after you upload files, Nginx is normally using a different root, selecting another server block as the port’s default, finding the old default symlink still enabled, or looking for an index filename that does not exist.
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What actually controls the page Nginx returns?
Nginx does not serve a file merely because it exists somewhere on the server. For a request such as http://example.com/about.html, Nginx takes the selected server block’s root directory and appends the request URI. With root /var/www/example.com;, that request maps to /var/www/example.com/about.html.
When the request targets a directory, such as /, the index directive supplies the filename to look for. Nginx’s documented default is index.html; setting it explicitly avoids confusion when your entry file has another name.
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The server block is selected in two stages: Nginx first considers the listening address and port, then compares the request’s Host header with each block’s server_name. If no name matches, Nginx sends the request to that port’s default server. That selection rule is why a correctly uploaded site can still be hidden by the welcome page.
Ubuntu’s default files and directories
Ubuntu’s packaged single-site configuration serves files from /var/www/html. The enabled configuration is commonly the symlinked file /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/default, which points to a file under /etc/nginx/sites-available. These paths describe Ubuntu’s package layout, not a universal Nginx requirement; other distributions and manually compiled installations may use a different configuration structure.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThe authoritative answer on any server is the merged configuration Nginx is actually running. Use sudo nginx -T to print it, then inspect the relevant listen, server_name, root, index, and default_server directives.
Choose the replacement method
| Approach | Best for | Advantages | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edit the packaged default block | A single, simple site on a server that will not host additional domains | Fewest files and commands; the existing listener is already enabled | Less separation between the distribution’s sample configuration and your site; adding more domains later is less tidy |
| Create a dedicated server block | One or more real domains, or a setup you expect to expand | Clear per-site configuration; enable and disable sites with symlinks; easier to maintain multiple roots | Requires creating a file, enabling it, and deciding whether to remove the old default symlink |
Whichever method you choose, compare the same details: the active root, the exact server_name, the listening address and port, the index filename, and whether another block is marked default_server.
Before you change anything
- Have shell access with permission to run
sudo. - Know the hostname visitors will use, including whether they will use both the bare domain and
www. - Have a complete site directory containing an entry file such as
index.html, plus its CSS, JavaScript, images, and other assets. - Know which port the site should answer on. The examples below use HTTP port 80.
- Keep a backup of any configuration file you edit, especially if the server already hosts another site.
Do not remove the default symlink until your replacement block has the intended listen and server_name values and passes a configuration test. Removing it too early can leave the server without a useful response.
Recommended method: create a dedicated site
1. Inspect the active configuration
Start by looking at the merged configuration rather than guessing which file is active:
sudo nginx -TIn the output, locate the server block listening on the port you are testing. Confirm which block contains default_server, which block contains your domain in server_name, and which root is in effect. A file under sites-available has no effect until it is included or enabled; the output of nginx -T shows what Nginx has actually loaded.
Read the output as a map of the running service. The file name printed before each included block tells you where a directive came from, while the surrounding server block tells you which listener and hostname it belongs to. If several blocks listen on port 80, note the address as well as the port: an IPv4 listener and an IPv6 listener can have different configuration.
2. Put the site files in a document root
For Ubuntu’s single-site setup, the documented root is /var/www/html. You can use that directory for a quick replacement, or create a separate directory for the domain:
sudo mkdir -p /var/www/example.com
sudo cp -a ./your-site/. /var/www/example.com/Replace ./your-site/ with the directory containing your deployed files. The destination should contain the file you intend to serve, for example /var/www/example.com/index.html. If the files are owned by a deployment account, make sure the Nginx worker can traverse the directory and read the files; a site that is in the right root but unreadable can produce an error instead of the expected page.
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Check the path literally. A request for /css/site.css must correspond to /var/www/example.com/css/site.css when that is the configured root. Uploading a folder one level too deep, such as /var/www/example.com/your-site/index.html, means the root does not contain the expected entry file. Copy the contents of the site directory, as in the command above, rather than unintentionally copying the directory itself.
3. Create a server block
Create /etc/nginx/sites-available/example.com with a minimal static-site configuration:
server {
listen 80;
listen [::]:80;
server_name example.com www.example.com;
root /var/www/example.com;
index index.html;
location / {
try_files $uri $uri/ =404;
}
}Change the domain names and root path to your values. The IPv6 listener is useful only when the host has IPv6 configured and DNS publishes an IPv6 address; if it is not appropriate for your server, remove that line rather than leaving an unusable listener.
The try_files rule checks the requested path and returns a 404 when no file or directory exists. It prevents an arbitrary fallback from masking missing assets. For a static site whose application requires a front-controller fallback, the rule would need to be designed for that application instead of copied unchanged.
The root applies to the location unless a more specific location overrides it. Keep the first configuration simple while replacing the welcome page. Add application-specific locations only after the basic hostname, root, and index behavior works; otherwise a second location can make it harder to identify whether the problem is server selection or file mapping.
4. Enable the site
Create the standard symlink from sites-enabled to your new file:
sudo ln -s /etc/nginx/sites-available/example.com /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/example.comThe symlink is what makes the site part of Ubuntu’s included configuration. If a symlink with that name already exists, inspect it before replacing it so you do not overwrite an intentional configuration.
Enabling does not reload Nginx automatically. It changes the files that will be read the next time Nginx tests or reloads its configuration, so continue with the syntax check before expecting a browser request to change.
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If the old welcome block is still enabled and your request does not match the new server_name, the old block can continue to answer. After confirming that your replacement file is enabled, remove the default symlink:
sudo rm /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/defaultDo this only when the default site is no longer needed. Removing a symlink does not delete the source file under sites-available; it simply stops that configuration from being included through the standard enabled-sites directory.
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You may leave the default block enabled when it is deliberately your fallback for unknown hostnames. In that case, make sure the requested hostname exactly matches your new block. Removing it is useful when an obsolete welcome page should never be returned, but it is not a substitute for correcting a missing or misspelled server_name.
6. Test syntax before applying the change
Always validate the complete configuration:
sudo nginx -tA successful test reports that the syntax is okay and the configuration test is successful. If it fails, Nginx identifies a file and line number. Correct that error before reloading; a failed test means the running worker processes continue using the previous configuration.
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7. Reload Nginx
Apply a valid configuration with a reload:
sudo systemctl reload nginxA reload asks the running service to read the new configuration without requiring a full stop and start. If the service is not running, or if your installation uses a different service manager, check its service status and use the appropriate operating-system command.
Reloading does not move files or change DNS. It only applies the configuration that passed the test. If the browser still displays an older response, verify the public hostname and port, then use a direct local request to separate Nginx selection from DNS or browser caching issues.
8. Verify the exact host
Test the public hostname in a browser, then test locally with the same Host header:
curl -H 'Host: example.com' http://127.0.0.1/This request tests Nginx’s virtual-host selection without waiting for DNS changes. The response should contain your site’s HTML rather than the welcome-page text. To test the www name, substitute it in the header and make sure it is listed in server_name.
Also request a known asset, such as /css/site.css, and a nonexistent path. The asset confirms that URI-to-root mapping works beyond the index file; the nonexistent path should produce the configured 404 response. These checks help distinguish a wrong root from a page that merely contains unexpected content.
Short method: replace the packaged default in place
For a server hosting only one static site, editing the enabled default block can be sufficient. First inspect the file that nginx -T shows as active, then back it up:
sudo cp /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/default /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/default.backupEdit the active block and set the relevant values:
server {
listen 80 default_server;
listen [::]:80 default_server;
server_name example.com www.example.com;
root /var/www/html;
index index.html;
location / {
try_files $uri $uri/ =404;
}
}Place your site’s files in /var/www/html, run sudo nginx -t, and then run sudo systemctl reload nginx. This method is shorter because the block is already enabled. It is not a substitute for setting the correct hostname: a request for a different configured domain can still be routed elsewhere when other server blocks exist.
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Editing the packaged file is reasonable for a disposable single-site machine, but a dedicated file is easier to identify later. If you choose the in-place method, record the backup location and remember that package updates or future administration may treat the file as the distribution’s default configuration.
Why the welcome page persists
The files are in the wrong root
If the active block says root /var/www/html;, uploading files to /home/user/site does not change what Nginx serves. Move or copy the files into the configured root, or change the block’s root to the directory you intend to use. Remember that Nginx appends the URI to that root, so a request for /images/logo.png must resolve to a real file beneath it.
The request is reaching the default server
A missing, misspelled, or mismatched server_name causes Nginx to use the default server for that port. Check the spelling, punctuation, and whether the request uses an unexpected hostname. The local test with curl -H 'Host: example.com' isolates this selection problem.
The default symlink is still enabled
Ubuntu’s default symlink can continue to load its own welcome-page file. Inspect nginx -T for the old block and remove /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/default when that site is no longer required. Test and reload after the removal.
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The index filename does not match
A directory request uses the configured index name, which defaults to index.html. If your file is called home.html, either rename it to index.html or set index home.html; in the relevant server block. Ensure the file is in the configured root, not merely present elsewhere on the machine.
You edited a file Nginx does not load
Package layouts differ, and a file under sites-available is inert unless it is included or linked. The output from sudo nginx -T is the reliable way to identify loaded files. If your edits do not appear there, enable the file or edit the configuration that is actually included.
Another block claims the same default role
Search the merged output for every default_server and every occurrence of your hostname. A duplicate name or an unintended default listener can capture the request. Keep one deliberate default for each address-and-port combination, and give each hosted domain an unambiguous server_name.
The hostname and port do not match
A configuration listening on port 80 cannot control a request that has been redirected to HTTPS on port 443. Likewise, testing an IP address sends a different Host value than testing the domain. Confirm the URL scheme, port, and hostname, then inspect the corresponding server block in nginx -T.
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Check DNS, IPv4, and IPv6 separately
Your browser may resolve a domain to an address different from the server you just configured. Verify that the domain’s A record points to the server’s IPv4 address and, if an AAAA record exists, that the IPv6 address also reaches this Nginx instance. The configuration’s listen [::]:80; line only helps when IPv6 connectivity is actually available.
While DNS is being changed, the loopback test with an explicit Host header confirms virtual-host selection on the server itself. Once DNS is correct, test the public hostname over the same protocol and port visitors will use. If HTTP redirects to HTTPS elsewhere, inspect the HTTPS server block as well; changing only port 80 cannot alter a separate TLS listener.
A practical verification checklist
- Configuration loaded: Your server block appears in
sudo nginx -T. - Correct listener: The block listens on the address and port being requested.
- Hostname match: The requested Host header is listed in
server_name. - Correct root: The configured path contains the intended entry file.
- Correct index: The
indexvalue matches the actual filename. - Site enabled: The file is included, commonly through a symlink in
sites-enabled. - Default conflict removed: An obsolete default symlink or duplicate block is no longer capturing requests.
- Syntax valid:
sudo nginx -tsucceeds. - Change applied: Nginx was reloaded after the successful test.
- Exact host tested: Both the bare domain and any
wwwalias return the intended content. - Asset path tested: A CSS, JavaScript, or image URL resolves beneath the same root.
- DNS checked: A and, when present, AAAA records point to this server.
What to keep after the replacement
Keep the configuration organized by site, retain a backup of the last known-good version, and run sudo nginx -t before every change is reloaded. When adding another domain, create another dedicated server block with its own server_name and root rather than repeatedly modifying a shared default. If a future change unexpectedly shows the welcome page again, begin with nginx -T; it reveals the effective configuration and the server block Nginx can actually select.
Document which hostname aliases belong to each site and which listener handles them. That small record prevents a common maintenance mistake: adding a new block for the bare domain while forgetting www, or adding a second block that silently becomes the default for an address and port. Keep deployment files in the directory named by root, and verify the entry filename whenever a site is replaced.
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Which Nginx file controls the default welcome page on Ubuntu?
In Ubuntu’s packaged layout, the enabled default server is commonly /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/default, usually linked to a file in /etc/nginx/sites-available. Do not assume that path on every installation; run sudo nginx -T and edit the file whose server block is actually included.
Can I simply replace /var/www/html/index.nginx-debian.html?
You can replace the content in the active document root, but the configured index filename still matters. If the block uses index index.html;, provide /var/www/html/index.html or change the directive to the filename you use. Check the active root and index values before copying files.
Why does the welcome page appear when my files are uploaded correctly?
The request may be selecting the default server because its Host header does not match your server_name. It may also be using an old enabled default symlink, a different root, or an index filename that is not present. Inspect nginx -T, then test with curl -H 'Host: example.com' http://127.0.0.1/.
Do I have to remove the default symlink?
No. If your hostname matches the dedicated block, Nginx can serve it while the default remains as a fallback for other names. Remove /etc/nginx/sites-enabled/default only when that welcome site is no longer wanted, and test and reload after removal.
What is the difference between sites-available and sites-enabled?
On Ubuntu’s standard layout, sites-available stores configuration files, while a symlink in sites-enabled makes a site part of the included configuration. A file that exists only under sites-available does not affect Nginx until it is linked or included.
Should I edit the default block or create a new server block?
Editing the packaged default is shorter for one uncomplicated site. A dedicated block is easier to maintain when you use a real domain, expect more domains, or want each site to have its own root and enable/disable symlink. Both approaches still require checking the listener, hostname, root, index, and default-server behavior.
What does try_files $uri $uri/ =404; do?
It checks whether the requested URI maps to an existing file or directory beneath the configured root. If neither exists, Nginx returns a 404 instead of silently serving an unrelated fallback. Applications that need a front-controller fallback require a different rule designed for that application.
Why does curl work locally but the browser still shows the old page?
The browser may resolve DNS to another server, use IPv6 while you configured only IPv4, or follow an HTTPS redirect handled by a different server block. Check the domain’s A and AAAA records, test the public hostname, and inspect both the port 80 and TLS configurations shown by nginx -T.
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Find the loaded server block with sudo nginx -T, put the site under its intended root, set the correct index and server_name, enable a dedicated file or edit the packaged default, then run sudo nginx -t and sudo systemctl reload nginx. If the welcome page remains, test the exact Host header and check for a wrong root, an unmatched hostname, an enabled default symlink, a duplicate default server, or a separate HTTPS/IPv6 configuration.
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