Fixing Common PrestaShop File Upload Errors (Quick-Fix Solutions)

The extended file upload feature is now a necessity for any store compatible with PrestaWebstore, especially if it sells personalization items or document submission products. Unfortunately, despite how handy this feature is, file upload errors are quite common in PrestaShop. Thus, it results in killing sales since you never know just how many potential clients are being turned off.

This interesting article will give you detailed information about all the common PrestaShop file upload errors, including their causes, how to recognize these errors, and the complete solution steps that work with 2025 hosting environments. If you’re a merchant, developer, or store manager, it’s your all-around troubleshooting manual.

Solving Failure to Upload File Errors in PrestaShop

Before you solve any PrestaShop file upload error, it’s important to know why your files may have a problem uploading.

Common Root Causes:

Here are some very frequent errors that are a hindrance to the successful and secure file uploads on your Prestashop store: 

PHP Upload Limits

By default, PrestaShop does not accept 'big' files (bigger than PHP's limitation). In the event a customer attempts to upload something larger than allowed, it will fail immediately.

File Permissions & Ownership

The system requires that the upload folder or temporary directory be writable in order to store the file; otherwise, you’ll get a generic “upload file not working” PrestaShop problem.

Wrong way or missing TMP directory

In the /tmp directory, PHP temporarily stores the uploads. If the server is configured incorrectly or missing a tmp dir, then uploads fail.

Module Conflicts

If you have more modules for changing the product page (like builders, plugins for optimisations), upload hooks will be overridden.

Server Restrictions

Small maximum file size, disabled functions, or firewall considerations can also prevent Prestashop file uploads.

General Tips to Deal with PrestaShop File Upload Messages

Look below for the most common reasons why an upload will fail, in detail, to help guide you toward what's precisely affecting your shop.

The uploaded file exceeds the upload_max_filesize directive in php.ini

This is one of the most prevalent PrestaShop file upload errors, and it happens when the file size exceeds PHP’s upload_max_filesize setting. Even if in the Back Office, PrestaShop lets you upload big files, PHP always decide.

Fix: Simply increase the limit in PHP. ini or use a. htaccess override. Typical values are:

• upload_max_filesize = 10M
• post_max_size = 12M

That is straight from the php.ini upload limit PrestaShop issues.

The size of the file is over the Limit

Even though PHP is set up correctly, PrestaShop makes use of a different file-size restriction. If the PrestaShop limit is lower than the PHP limit, you will be presented with this error.

Fix: Increase both the internal settings in PrestaShop (Images or Product File settings) and php.ini. Both must match.

File upload failed, or the upload file is not working

That is the generic error that I've always seen when a temp directory is missing or if there is a permission issue. PHP writes temporary files to /tmp, and if it has no access / write privileges, file uploads do nothing.

Fix: Make sure /tmp exists, is writeable and that the right path to it is use in your script. ini.

500 Internal Server Error on upload

This occurs because of memory limits reached by the server, timeout settings, or because of conflicting modules. It can also happen when you are uploading extremely large files.

Fix: Improve memory_limit, debug output, or PHP fatal error logs on the server. Here, module conflicts are also prevalent.

“Invalid file format”

PrestaShop or your upload module could be rejecting the file because of limited extensions or MIME type discrepancies. The issue comes when some servers have very strict MIME checks, and they would actually see valid files as wrong.

Fix: Include file extension to allowed formats with your module or in PrestaShop settings.

File Not Showing Up After Upload

If you go through the steps to upload and the form gives a success message, but nothing shows up in your uploads directory, something might be wrong with permissions or pathing.

Fix: Make sure your upload folder has permission 755 or 775 (the same goes for all domains/subdomain folders) and is owned by the right server user.

An unexpected error occurred after migration or upgrade.

When you change hosts or upgrade PrestaShop, outdated overrides or templates are encountered by the new ones in the installed modules.

Solution: Clear cache, re-compile templates, reset the upload module and re-save the upload module configuration.

Quick Fixes for the Most Common File Upload Errors in Prestashop 

If your customers are consistently facing errors with file uploading on Prestashop, here are some quick fixes you can implement: 

Fix Folder Permission and Ownership Issues

If files fail silently or don’t save, this is usually a permissions problem.

Folders that must be writable:

• /upload/
• /modules/youruploadmodule/uploads/
• /tmp/

Set correct permissions:

• chmod 755 foldername, or  
• chmod 775 foldername

Ensure that the folder owner matches the Apache/Nginx user (typically www-data or apache).

Fixing permissions resolves many PrestaShop file permission errors and PrestaShop upload path error issues.

Enable HTTPS and Correct File Paths

Incorrect file paths or mixed-content issues (HTTP vs HTTPS) can prevent upload progress indicators from working and block uploads entirely.

Steps:

Enable SSL:

• Preferences → General → Enable SSL on all pages
• Verify the upload path in your module settings.
• Ensure URLs in product.tpl or theme overrides are not hardcoded.

This eliminates many PrestaShop upload file not working cases and fixes PrestaShop tmp folder issue errors.

Resolve Module Conflicts

Some themes or modules override key hooks like displayProductAdditionalInfo, which upload modules rely on.

How to detect conflicts:

• Disable non-essential modules.
• Clear the cache after each test.
• Switch temporarily to the Classic theme.
• Re-enable modules one by one.

If the upload works only on the Classic theme, your theme override must be fixed.

This step resolves a large percentage of PrestaShop module upload problems and general PrestaShop file upload troubleshooting cases.

Check Server Configuration & Error Logs

If none of the above solves your issue, the server logs hold the answer.

Steps:

• Enable PrestaShop debug mode:
• Advanced Parameters → Performance → Debug Mode

Reproduce the upload.

• Check /var/log/apache2/error.log or /var/log/nginx/error.log for detailed messages.
• Contact the hosting provider if restrictions exist, for example, ModSecurity rules blocking uploads.
• This is the best way to isolate PrestaShop 500 error upload or PrestaShop upload image error problems.

Tips To Prevent Future File Upload Errors

Fixing errors once is good, but preventing them long-term is even better. Use these best practices to ensure stable upload functionality:

1. Use a Secure, Actively Maintained File Upload Module

Outdated modules often cause permission issues, broken hooks, or insecure file handling. A modern upload module reduces risk dramatically.

2. Keep PHP and PrestaShop Updated

Newer PHP versions fix known upload bugs and improve memory handling. PrestaShop updates often include improvements to forms, hooks, and file handling.

3. Clear Cache Regularly

PrestaShop stores template overrides in caches. After any update, clear the cache to prevent conflicts.

4. Test Uploads After Every Major Change

Theme updates, hosting migrations, module installations, and PHP upgrades can all break upload functionality.

5. Monitor Server Usage

Low disk space or restricted memory causes unpredictable upload failures.

How the FME PrestaShop File Upload Module Prevents These Issues

The FME PrestaShop File Upload Module solves most upload errors by handling validation, security, and compatibility out of the box.

Why It Prevents Common Problems:

• Built-in file type and size validation
• Secure upload path handling
• Auto-creation of upload folders
• Drag-and-drop interface
• Support for large files
• Full compatibility with PHP 7.4–8.x
• GDPR-compliant storage
• Works on product, cart, checkout, and order pages

Because the module is actively updated, it avoids the outdated overrides or compatibility issues that commonly cause PrestaShop file upload error cases.

Conclusion

File upload errors in PrestaShop are frustrating, but the good news is that they are almost always fixable. Whether the issue is caused by PHP limits, permissions, server configuration, or module conflicts, the solutions in this guide will help you restore smooth and reliable uploads.

By regularly monitoring your store, using compatible modules, and keeping your hosting environment updated, you can prevent most upload issues before they appear.