Disabling a module via FTP can help you regain access to your store if a faulty module causes errors in the administration panel or prevents your website from loading correctly.
This method should only be used for troubleshooting purposes when you cannot disable the module from the PrestaShop back office.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Connect to Your Server via FTP
Use an FTP client such as FileZilla, WinSCP, or Cyberduck to connect to your hosting account.
Enter your FTP credentials:
- Host: Your FTP server address
- Username: Your FTP username
- Password: Your FTP password
- Port: 21 for FTP or 22 for SFTP
Once connected, navigate to your PrestaShop installation directory.
Step 2: Open the Modules Directory
Locate and open the following folder:
/modules/
This directory contains all installed PrestaShop modules.
Step 3: Find the Module You Want to Disable
Each module has its own directory named after the module.
For example:
/modules/ps_emailalerts/
/modules/blockwishlist/
/modules/examplemodule/
Identify the folder that belongs to the module you want to disable.
Step 4: Rename the Module Folder
Rename the module directory by adding a suffix such as _disabled or _backup.
For example:
examplemodule
becomes:
examplemodule_disabled
PrestaShop will no longer be able to load the module, effectively disabling it.
Step 5: Verify the Result
Refresh your website and try accessing the administration panel again.
If the module was causing the issue, your store should load correctly.
Once you regain access to the back office, go to Modules > Module Manager and verify that the module is disabled.
Important Notes
- Always create a full backup before making changes to your files.
- Renaming the module folder disables the module but does not uninstall it.
- Module settings and data remain stored in the database.
- To permanently remove a module, use the uninstall option from the PrestaShop administration panel after your store is working normally again.
If renaming the module folder does not resolve the issue, clear the PrestaShop cache by deleting the contents of the following directories:
For PrestaShop 1.7 and later:
/var/cache/prod/
/var/cache/dev/
For PrestaShop 1.6:
/cache/smarty/cache/
/cache/smarty/compile/
Do not delete the folders themselves-only their contents.