How to Find NginX Version In 2 Quick Steps

Finding your NginX version is a simple process that can be completed in just a couple of steps. We’ve assembled some brief tutorials for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems. These are intended to help you determine your NginX version, as well as troubleshoot errors that may arise.

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So, How Do I Find My NginX Version?

There are two easy commands that will allow you to see your NginX version in slightly different ways.

Method 1: nginx -v

1. Enter the following syntax: nginx -v
2. View the output. You should receive something like:
   nginx version: nginx/1.10.0

This is your current Nginx version displayed as clearly and simply as possible.

Method 2: nginx -V

Note: This syntax uses a capital V instead of a lowercase v. It will return the NginX and compiler version, as well as the configure parameters.

1. Enter the following syntax: nginx -V
2. View the output. Here’s an example:
   nginx version: nginx/1.12.0
built with OpenSSL 1.2.0g 8 Dec 2019
TLS SNI support enabled

Now you have your current NginX version, as well as additional compiler and configuration details.

Method 3: Wrong file request

A final unconventional way to find your NginX version involves making a wrong file request. If NginX is using the default configuration, it will return a 404 with the NginX version below the error message body.

Verify that NginX is Installed and Running

If the methods above didn’t work for you, it’s worth checking to see if NginX is actually installed and running. Use the following command:

$ ps -auxww | grep nginx 

The ps command will return running processes. Sending it to grep allows us to find specific words in the output, in this case: nginx. If Nginx is actually running, the output will include a master and one or more worker processes. If these are present in your output, then you can conclude that NginX is installed and running properly.

How do I install an older version of NginX?

Suppose you were to update NginX and you decide you want to go back. Unfortunately, the answer isn’t necessarily as simple as throwing out a command. Your distro is incentivized to only provide the latest versions of software that will work well together. So, if the NginX version you want is older, it may not be offered. In this instance, you may have to configure it yourself or find the package and install it manually. This often is not advisable, though.

Conclusions: Finding Your NginX Version

Hopefully, this has helped you to understand the basics for determining and troubleshooting your NginX version. It’s pretty straightforward, and can be accomplished in just a minute or two.

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