


How to enable or disable an Apache module using a2enmod/a2dismod?
Jun 24, 2025 am 12:01 AMThe easiest way to enable or disable Apache modules is to use the a2enmod and a2dismod commands. 1. a2enmod enables modules by creating a symbolic link from mods-available to mods-enabled; 2. a2dismod disables modules by deleting the link; 3. When enabling modules, you need to run sudo a2enmod [module name] and restart Apache; 4. When disabling modules, use sudo a2dismod [module name] and restart the service; 5. Pay attention to the accuracy and dependencies of the modules to avoid configuration errors; 6. After modification, the configuration should be tested and old references should be cleaned to prevent problems; 7. These commands are only applicable to the Apache structure in Debian/Ubuntu system.
Enabling or disabling an Apache module is a common task when managing a web server. The easiest way to do this on Debian-based systems (like Ubuntu) is by using the a2enmod
and a2dismod
commands.
What Do a2enmod and a2dismod Do?
Apache modules are stored in /etc/apache2/mods-available/
. However, just having them there doesn't mean they're active.
-
a2enmod
enables a module by creating a symlink frommods-available
tomods-enabled
. -
a2dismod
disables it by removing that symlink.
This helps manage which modules are actually loaded when Apache starts.
How to Enable an Apache Module with a2enmod
If you need to turn on a module like rewrite
, here's what to do:
- Run the command:
sudo a2enmod rewrite
- Then restart Apache:
sudo systemctl restart apache2
You'll get a message confirming the module was enabled. If it was already enabled, it'll let you know too.
Pro tip: Make sure the module name is correct. For example, the header module is called
headers
, notheader
.
How to Disable an Apache Module with a2dismod
To disable a module (for example, if you no longer use it and want to reduce overhead):
- Use the command:
sudo a2dismod headers
- Restart Apache after:
sudo systemctl restart apache2
Keep in mind that some modules might be required by other configurations. Disabling them could cause errors, so always check dependencies first.
Common Issues You Might Encounter
- Module not found : Double-check the spelling. Some modules have non-intuitive names.
- Configuration errors after enabling/disabling : Always test your config before restarting:
sudo apache2ctl configtest
- Old configs still applying : Even after disabling a module,
.conf
files referencing it may remain insites-enabled/
. You'll need to manually remove or edit those if they cause issues.
Also, note that these tools only work on systems where the Apache package maintainers set up the mods-enabled
and mods-available
structure — typically Debian and Ubuntu.
And that's basically it. It's straightforward once you remember the commands and that a restart or reload is always needed.
The above is the detailed content of How to enable or disable an Apache module using a2enmod/a2dismod?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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