Unable to move a domain in Plesk: site-copy failed: tar: ./subdirectory/<path>: Cannot open: Permission denied – Plesk

Symptoms

• Unable to move a domain to another subscription at Subscriptions > example.com > click Move domain, the process fails with the following error:

  site-copy failed: tar: ./subdirectory/<path>: Cannot open: Permission denied

Cause

The subfolder(s) of the affected domain has incorrect ownership. 

Resolution

1. Log into the server via SSH.

2. Execute the command below to find the system user for the affected domain:

   # plesk db "select * from sys_users;" | grep example.com | awk {' print $6'}
   johndoe

3. Run the command below to set the correct ownership with the correct system user and group for the subdirectory from the error: 

   # chown -R johndoe:psacln /var/www/vhosts/example.com/subdirectory

   Note: Apply the same command for each subdirectory in case there is more than one.