ProFTPD wont start

Like some others, I am having trouble getting ProFTPD to start. I have run through the forums to see if I can't find a solution to tag onto, and realized it would likely be a more organized approach to start a new thread.

My suspicion, though I hope this is not misleading, is that a previous install of vsftpd is conflicting with ProFTPD. I have removed the connection between vsFTPD and port 21, but I still get no love with the ProFTPD connection.

Here are the details:

Trying to connect using FTP on licenced client software "Fetch".

When I click start server it just returns this: "Failed to start FTP server : Starting proftpd: [FAILED]" … and no other data.

I am using: CentOS release 6.8 (Final) Webmin version 1.831 Virtualmin version 5.07 Linux 2.6.32-642.el6.x86_64 on x86_64

/var/log/proftpd is empty /var/log/messages has nothing related to proftpd

netstat -an | grep :21 Gives me: tcp 0 0 :::21 :::* LISTEN

/etc/init.d/proftpd restart Gives me: Shutting down proftpd: [ OK ] Starting proftpd: [FAILED]

Restarting the service within Webmin: Starting proftpd: [FAILED]

proftpd --configtest Gives me: Checking syntax of configuration file Syntax check complete.

/usr/sbin/proftpd Gives me nothing.

Attempting to apply changes (without actually making any changes) in the Webmin ProFTPD server module results in this message: Failed to apply FTP configuration : Checking syntax of configuration file - Fatal: SFTPHostKey: unable to check '/etc/ssh/ssh_host_rsa_key': Permission denied on line 287 of '/etc/proftpd.conf'

Note: the rsa key file and the dsa key file both exist in the location indicated on lines 287/8, though I don't know how to ensure they are the correct keys.

service --status-all Gives me: proftpd (pid 28561) is running...

I'm lost!

What to try next?!?

Thanking the forum in advance.