Troubleshooting blank pages in PrestaShop

Sometimes PrestaShop may display a blank page (also called the “white screen of death”). This usually indicates a problem with a module, theme, or server configuration. On ruachost.com, you can resolve this by enabling error reporting and clearing caches.

Common Causes

• Malfunctioning or incompatible module.
• Theme errors or missing files.
• PHP configuration issues.
• Cache corruption (Smarty or PrestaShop cache).

Step‑by‑Step Troubleshooting

Step 1: Enable Error Reporting

1. Log in to your hosting account via SSH or cPanel File Manager.

2. Open the file:

   config/defines.inc.php

3. Find the line:

   define('_PS_MODE_DEV_', false);

4. Change false to true:

   define('_PS_MODE_DEV_', true);

5. Save the file. ✅ PrestaShop will now display detailed error messages instead of a blank page.

Step 2: Clear the Cache

1. Log in to PrestaShop as the administrator (if possible).
2. Go to Advanced Parameters → Performance.
3. In the Smarty section, set Force compilation to Yes and Cache to No.
4. Save changes.
5. Refresh your site.

If the admin panel is inaccessible:

• Use SSH or cPanel File Manager.

• Delete contents of these folders (but keep index.php):

  • /cache/smarty/compile
  • /cache/smarty/cache

Step 3: Disable Problematic Modules

• If error reporting shows a module error, disable that module from the admin panel.
• If you cannot access the panel, disable the module directly in the database via phpMyAdmin by editing the ps_module table.

Step 4: Check PHP and Server Settings

• Ensure your hosting account is running a supported PHP version for your PrestaShop release.
• Verify memory limits and execution time in php.ini or cPanel settings.

Important Notes

• Always disable error reporting after troubleshooting (true → false) to avoid exposing sensitive information.
• Back up your site before making changes.
• If issues persist, Contact Us for assistance.