Why do you need PrestaShop debug mode? It doesn’t matter how good you think your PrestaShop store is working, unless you actually test it. Whenever you install a new module or you upgrade your store to a newer version, you have to make sure that your store is working correctly.
By default in PrestaShop debug mode is disabled, so even if there are errors and problems you might not be able to see them at all. Furthermore, if there are errors, without debug mode enabled your store still can behave normally and appear that everything is working perfectly well. That’s why it is important to enable debug mode and test your store.
Additionally, you can use PrestaShop debug mode to disable non PrestaShop modules or disable all overrides that you may have on your store. Those are extremely valuable options when you are trying to pinpoint problems in your PrestaShop installation.
Note: Remember to always enable maintenance mode and turn off your caching and CCC settings before enabling the debug mode.
Time needed: 3 minutes
How to enable PrestaShop debug mode
- Go to your PrestaShop Back Office
Or the admin panel as some may know it.
- Navigate to “Advanced Parameters” tab
On the menu in the admin, on the left, under “Configure” at the very bottom you will find the “Advanced parameters” tab.
- Then choose the “Performance” tab
It is right under the “Advanced parameters” tab.
- You will find the “Debug mode” option on the right
There is tab field called Debug mode.
Enable PrestaShop Debug mode manually
Additionally, if you cannot access your PrestaShop admin panel for any reason, you can manually enable the debug mode and see exactly what the problem is.
To do so, use your FTP and navigate to your PrestaShop store folder. Next, go to “config” folder and download the “defines.inc.php” file.
Open the “defines.inc.php” file with notepad or your code editor software and find this line in the beginning.
/* Debug only */ if (!defined('_PS_MODE_DEV_')) { define('_PS_MODE_DEV_', false); }
Change the line define('_PS_MODE_DEV_', false); to “true” define('_PS_MODE_DEV_', true);
Save the file and re-upload it on your FTP folder. This will enable the debug mode.
