Top 10 Most Common Magento 2 Issues and How to Fix Them

By . in E-Commerce. Updated on .

Managing an eCommerce store is a daunting task, requiring strategic planning and precise execution. A critical aspect of running an eCommerce business is understanding and addressing your target audience’s needs. Your customers, being the backbone of your business, necessitate that their needs are not just met but exceeded.

Magento 2 issues and fixes
Rubaitul Azad

In developing an eCommerce platform, the choice of technology is pivotal. Magento, a widely used eCommerce platform, and its latest version, Magento 2, are popular choices among users. While working with Magento 2, developers might encounter various errors and challenges. Some of these issues are relatively simple to resolve, whereas others demand a deeper comprehension of the platform’s intricacies.

Upgrading to Magento 2 represents a significant advancement for your business. However, it’s crucial to be cognizant of potential issues and possess the know-how for effective troubleshooting. Equipped with the right tools and knowledge, you can facilitate a seamless transition and leverage the myriad benefits of the new version.

For the smooth operation of your eCommerce store, partnering with a proficient agency specializing in Magento web development is essential.

The 10 Most Common Magento 2 Issues

By acquainting yourself with these errors and comprehending the resolution processes, you can preempt potential issues and maintain the efficiency of your eCommerce store.

Some of the most prevalent issues include:

1. White Screen of Death

One of the most frequent issues encountered is the “White Screen of Death” (WSOD), which arises from a PHP error that hinders proper page loading. This problem is characterized by a completely blank white screen without any error message or page content, thus the name. Notably, this issue is not exclusive to Magento and can also occur on Drupal and WordPress platforms.

The root cause of WSOD can vary, making it a challenge to pinpoint the exact source of the problem. As Magento does not provide explicit error information, thorough investigation is key to identifying and resolving the underlying issue.

To start troubleshooting, navigate to app/bootstrap.php and locate:

#ini_set('display_errors', 1);

Remove the # symbol to uncover the error. If the issue persists, look into the exception.log and system.log files for further insights.

2. Slow Website Performance

Magento 2, known for its robustness as an e-commerce platform, is not inherently slow. However, slow interface and extended loading times may manifest if the website is not optimized properly or if unsuitable extensions are in use. Ensuring that the basic requirements for running a Magento store are met and enabling the right plugins is crucial. Misconfigurations or lack of optimization can significantly hinder speed.

Factors such as a large product inventory, unoptimized code, or inadequate server resources can contribute to slow performance.

To enhance speed, consider enabling caching, optimizing images, and upgrading to a more powerful server. Enable caching through the Magento backend by navigating to:

System > Cache Management, and select “Enable” for all cache types.

Image optimization can be achieved through compression and using a Content Delivery Network (CDN). Server upgrades might involve increasing RAM, upgrading the CPU, or shifting to a faster storage solution.

Magento 2 Speed-Enhancing Quick Tips:

  1. Choose Reliable Hosting.
  2. Regularly Update Magento.
  3. Optimize Package & Database.
  4. Refrain from Using Built-in Cache.
  5. Maintain Updated Indexers.
  6. Implement Varnish Cache.
  7. Review Third-Party Modules.
  8. Enable Magento Flat Catalogs.
3. 404 Errors on Product and Category Pages

This issue often arises when URL rewrites are not functioning correctly.

To resolve this, access the Magento backend and navigate to System > Configuration > Web > Search Engine Optimization, and set “Use Web Server Rewrites” to “Yes.”

If the problem persists, consider reindexing the URL rewrite index with the command:

php bin/magento indexer:reindex url_rewrite

Delete all entries for Products and Categories in the url_rewrite table from the Database, and then try resaving each category. Additionally, access the database and locate the:

core_config_data table. Execute the following SQL query:

SELECT * FROM core_config_data WHERE path LIKE '%web/seo/use_rewrites%'
  1. Modify the value from 1 to 0.
  2. Execute the following commands in CLI:
rm -rf var/cache var/page_cache
chmod 777 -R var/ pub/static generated/
4. Payment Gateway Issues

Payment gateway errors are a common challenge in online stores. Such issues can arise from incorrect payment gateway configuration or issues with the payment module. To address this, review the payment gateway documentation and ensure the module’s configuration is correct and up to date.

In some cases, it may be necessary to contact the payment gateway support or the module developer for further assistance.

5. Missing Admin Menu Items

This issue typically occurs when the Magento cache is not properly cleared. To resolve it, navigate to the Magento backend, go to System > Cache Management, and select “Flush Magento Cache” and “Flush Cache Storage.”

This action should clear the cache and refresh the menu items. If the problem remains, try logging out and then logging back into the admin panel.

6. Security Vulnerability

Magento 2 is susceptible to several security vulnerabilities that hackers may exploit. To mitigate these risks, ensure your Magento 2 installation is regularly updated with the latest security patches and updates.

Additionally, installing a robust security extension and using strong, complex passwords for your Magento 2 store is advisable.

Potential security risks include:

  • Botnetting
  • Credit Card Hijacking
  • Cross-Site Scripting
  • Server Attacks
  • Website Defacement
  • Remote Code Execution
7. Invalid Form Key Error

Common across various e-commerce platforms, including Magento, the “Invalid Form Key Error” can arise from a range of actions within Magento 2. Typical scenarios that might trigger this error include:

  • Adding a product to the wishlist
  • Installing a new extension or theme
  • Signing in or creating an account while adding items to the cart on localhost
  • Creating a configurable product with multiple attributes
  • Upgrading to a newer version of Magento 2

It’s important to note that these are not exhaustive causes of this error, and further investigation may be necessary. The error often stems from issues with form key validation. To address this, try clearing the browser cache and cookies.

If the problem continues, inspect the form key validation settings in the Magento backend under:

Stores > Configuration > Advanced > Admin > Security.

  • Solution 1: Increase max_input_vars in php.ini.
  • Solution 2: Modify your base URL settings.
8. Order Email Not Sent

This issue typically arises due to problems with the email server configuration or the email template. To address this, review the email server settings in the Magento backend by navigating to:

Stores > Configuration > Sales > Sales Emails.

Also, examine the email template settings under Marketing > Email Templates.

9. Missing CSS and JS Files

When static files are not properly generated or are blocked by a security extension, this error can occur. To resolve it, regenerate the static files by executing the following command in the Magento root directory:

php bin/magento setup:static-content:deploy

If the problem continues, review the settings of any security extensions to ensure they are not blocking static files. Additionally, consider removing the version number from the CSS path.

This can be done via the admin panel:

Stores > Configuration > Advanced > Developer > Sign Static Files

Alternatively, execute the following query in the core_config_data database table:

INSERT INTO core_config_data (config_id, scope, scope_id, path, value) VALUES (NULL, 'default', 0, 'dev/static/sign', 0);
10. Database Connection Error

This issue often stems from problems with the database connection or credentials. To resolve this, verify the database connection settings in the Magento backend by navigating to:

Stores > Configuration > General > Web > Base URLs and Base URLs (Secure), and confirm that the correct database credentials are in use.

Wrapping Up

To elevate your store’s performance and ensure a seamless, error-free shopping experience for your visitors, adhering to best practices is key. By implementing these recommendations, you can mitigate frustrating errors and significantly enhance user experience. This not only leads to positive reviews but also increases the likelihood of conversions.

However, it’s vital to bear in mind that any modifications to the core code should be undertaken with a thorough understanding of the Magento coding environment. Given that Magento is an open-source platform, exercising prudence in code alterations is essential to maintain system integrity.

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