# Apache: [mpm_event:error] AH00288: scoreboard is full, not at MaxRequestWorkers. Increase ServerLimit

**Code:** `AH00288: scoreboard is full, not at MaxRequestWorkers` · **Category:** Nginx / Apache · **Seen on:** Apache, Linux

The shared scoreboard (process table) has no free slot even though the request limit isn't reached.

## Meaning

Increase `ServerLimit` (and `ThreadLimit`/`ThreadsPerChild`) so `ServerLimit × ThreadsPerChild ≥ MaxRequestWorkers`. Common when `MaxRequestWorkers` was raised above the default limits without raising `ServerLimit`. Restart (not reload) after changing.

## Common causes

- `MaxRequestWorkers` raised without `ServerLimit`
- Too many processes with few threads
- Event MPM defaults
- Stuck/graceful-stopping children holding slots
- Reload after config limits changed

## Quick fix

1. Set `ServerLimit` ≥ `MaxRequestWorkers / ThreadsPerChild`
2. Full `systemctl restart apache2`
3. Check for stuck workers in `server-status`

## Detailed fix by platform

### Apache

1. `<IfModule mpm_event_module> ServerLimit 16 ThreadsPerChild 25 MaxRequestWorkers 400 </IfModule>`

## How to diagnose

1. **Limits** — ServerLimit × threads?
2. **Restart** — Full?
3. **Children** — Stuck?

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Source: [WhatIsMyError](https://whatismyerror.com/errors/nginx-apache/apache-ah00288-scoreboard-is-full)