Prestashop cache problem: Solution guide and tips

Prestashop caching can be a double-edged sword: essential for performance, but a pain if not managed well. If you've ever faced changes not being reflected, visual errors or slowness, you've come to the right place. Here's how to fix the prestashop cache problem and optimize your online store. Migrating to Shopify ? Find out more here.

Cache is an essential resource to ensure that your Prestashop store runs quickly and efficiently. Its main function is to temporarily store elements such as images, CSS files and product data, so that they can be loaded faster when users visit your site . Instead of sending multiple requests to the server every time someone browses your store, caching allows you to reuse already processed information, speeding up response time and optimizing customer experience.

A fast loading time is not only crucial to keeping your customers satisfied, but it can also make a significant difference in your sales . Studies have shown that users are less likely to stick around on a page that takes more than a few seconds to load. Plus, good use of caching reduces the workload on your server, resulting in a more stable system that is ready to handle multiple simultaneous visits – vital for small and medium-sized businesses looking to grow without technical issues.

On the other hand, a faster store not only benefits your customers, but can also improve your rankings on search engines like Google, as loading speed is an important factor for SEO . Simply put, investing time in setting up and maintaining good cache management will not only make your customers enjoy a smoother experience, but will also help optimize the overall performance of your store and generate more business opportunities.

With a properly configured cache, you are building the foundation for an efficient ecommerce site, ready to offer a quality experience without compromising the stability of your platform.

Prestashop offers several layers of caching:

• Smarty Cache: Stores preprocessed templates to optimize performance.
• Browser Cache: Stores resources on users' devices.
• Advanced Cache: Implements external caching systems such as APCu, Memcached or Redis.

It is common to make changes to your configuration, design, or products and not see them reflected due to an outdated cache.

A poorly managed cache can overload your server, slowing down your store even with few visitors.

Cache conflicts can result in incomplete pages, incorrect products, or outdated layouts.

Improper configuration in the administration panel can lead to conflicts or inefficiencies.

Unsupported third-party modules may break cache functionality, especially in highly customized stores.

Accumulation of old or corrupted data can cause the cache to not function properly.

Poorly optimized hosting can make it difficult to efficiently manage your cache, increasing response times and errors.

• Go to Advanced Settings > Performance .
• Click Clear Cache .

This step is quick and can solve minor problems instantly.

Properly configuring the cache is essential to avoid recurring problems:

• Enable the option "Recompile templates only when files have been updated".
• Enable "Cache" to store preprocessed templates.

• Set HTTP headers to take advantage of your clients' browsers' caching.

• Enable external systems like Memcached or Redis from the admin panel.
• Check with your hosting provider for configuration.

If the admin panel is not working, access your server via FTP:

1. Locate the /var/cache/ folder.
2. Delete the prod and dev subdirectories.
3. Check that the store is working properly.

To identify errors, temporarily disable caching in Advanced Settings > Performance and run real-time tests.

Keeping your platform and extensions up to date prevents incompatibilities that can affect your cache.

Take advantage of advanced tools like Varnish Cache or Redis to optimize performance.

Every time you make changes to your store, check that all elements are working correctly, avoiding unexpected problems with the cache.

Make sure you have a server ready to handle the traffic and needs of your online store.

• Page Cache Pro: Ideal for improving page loading speed.
• Advanced Cache: Optimizes and reduces response time in large stores.

• Set up a content delivery network (CDN) to speed up the loading of your store in different regions. Services like Cloudflare are a great option.

Managing the prestashop cache issue doesn't have to be an insurmountable challenge. With proper configuration and the right tips, you can ensure optimal performance for your online store. Ready to take your ecommerce to the next level? Remember that if you need help transitioning to other platforms, you can explore our Shopify migrations here .