Solution to errors while publishing ASP.NET Web API on IIS using Visual Studio

Introduction

While publishing ASP.NET Web API in IIS using visual studio you may run into some errors, this article helps to provide the solution to the possible errors that will occur.

Lets get started to solve the errors

1. Output class library not set error:

Solution:

When you try to publish Web API using visual studio for the first time one of the reason for the above error to pop up is due the incorrect settings in .csproj.user file of the solution

Open the .csproj.user file in the solution and change the settings in the file

Below is the code you need to add in *.csproj.user file.

<PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)' == 'Debug|AnyCPU' ">   
<DebugSymbols>true</DebugSymbols>   
<DebugType>full</DebugType>   
<Optimize>false</Optimize>   
<OutputPath>bin\</OutputPath>   
<DefineConstants>DEBUG;TRACE</DefineConstants>   
<ErrorReport>prompt</ErrorReport>

<WarningLevel>4</WarningLevel>
</PropertyGroup>

<PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)' == 'Release|AnyCPU' ">   
<DebugType>pdbonly</DebugType>  
<Optimize>true</Optimize>   
<OutputPath>bin\</OutputPath>   
<DefineConstants>TRACE</DefineConstants>   
<ErrorReport>prompt</ErrorReport>   
<WarningLevel>4</WarningLevel>

 </PropertyGroup>

<PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)' == 'Dev|AnyCPU'">   
<DebugSymbols>true</DebugSymbols>   
<OutputPath>bin\</OutputPath>   
<DefineConstants>DEBUG;TRACE</DefineConstants>   
<DebugType>full</DebugType>   
<PlatformTarget>AnyCPU</PlatformTarget>   
<ErrorReport>prompt</ErrorReport>   
<CodeAnalysisIgnoreBuiltInRuleSets>false</CodeAnalysisIgnoreBuiltInRuleSets>

<CodeAnalysisIgnoreBuiltInRules>false</CodeAnalysisIgnoreBuiltInRules>

<DeployIisAppPath>Port80/directory/dev</DeployIisAppPath>
</PropertyGroup>

Solution:

The above error will pop up when you do not have the permission to access the folder/web.config file.

1. In Windows Explorer, locate the web.config file that is associated with the Web site. 
2. Right-click the web.config file 
3. Click Properties. 
4. Click the Security tab, and then click Edit. 
5. Click Add. 
6. In the Enter the object names to select box, IUSR, click Check Names, and then click OK. 
7. Click to select the Read check box, and then click OK. 
8. In the Web.config Properties dialog box, click OK. 

Solution:

One of the reasons for the error 500.21 internal server error to pop up when is when ASP.NET is not installed completely in your system

1 Run the command prompt as administrator
2.Type the line  in  the  command  prompt  below any one

%windir%\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\aspnet_regiis.exe -i
or
%windir%\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\aspnet_regiis.exe -I

Solution:

Create the application pool in IIS by selecting the .NET  version which your project supports.When creating  the  site in the default application in IIS for Web API, select the application pool which you have created.The above error will pop up if the application pool which you have created has built in account selected.

(for reference go to :” Advanced Setting->Process->Identity” of the application pool which you have created)Change the application pool identity to custom account and click on set button to provide the account credentials . once you have set the settings , refresh/reset IIS  to resolve the above error.

5. Access Denied:

Solution:

The above error will pop up if the solution directory (folder) doesn’t have required permissions                                

To resolve  the  issue  follow the steps given in  “500.19 : internal server error” 

Conclusion