Skip to content
Ruachost Help Center

Using the mod_speling Apache module

The mod_speling module in Apache helps correct minor filename errors in URLs, such as case mismatches or small typos. On ruachost.com, enabling this module can improve user experience when migrating sites from case‑insensitive systems (like Windows) to Linux servers.

Why Use mod_speling?

Section titled “Why Use mod_speling?”
  • Corrects case sensitivity issues (e.g., File.html vs. file.html).
  • Handles minor misspellings in requested filenames.
  • Reduces broken links after migrations.
  • Saves time by avoiding manual renaming of files and links.

Enabling mod_speling

Section titled “Enabling mod_speling”

On Debian/Ubuntu

Section titled “On Debian/Ubuntu”

  1. Log in via SSH as root.

  2. Enable the module:

    Terminal window
    a2enmod speling

  3. Restart Apache:

    Terminal window
    service apache2 restart

  4. Configure .htaccess or site config:

    <IfModule mod_speling.c>
        CheckCaseOnly on
        CheckSpelling on
    </IfModule>

On AlmaLinux/Fedora

Section titled “On AlmaLinux/Fedora”

  1. Log in via SSH as root.

  2. Verify if the module is loaded:

    Terminal window
    httpd -M | grep speling

    Output should include:

    Terminal window
    speling_module (shared)

  3. If not loaded, add this line to /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf:

    LoadModule speling_module modules/mod_speling.so

  4. Restart Apache:

    Terminal window
    service httpd restart

  5. Configure .htaccess or site config as shown above.

Testing mod_speling

Section titled “Testing mod_speling”

  1. Create a file named test.html.

  2. Access it in your browser using variations like:

    • Test.html
    • TEST.HTML
    • test.HTML

  3. Apache should serve the correct file regardless of case.