Seeing a blank page in Magento admin or frontpage?
This usually happens when you have compilation mode on when you modify files, theme templates or modules / extensions, or install a theme or extension.
The Magento Compiler should be disabled every time before installing or removing a Magento extension or when upgrading Magento. Therefore it typically only gets enabled when development for your site is finished. And if you do the ‘famous last little tweak’ when compilation mode is on, sometimes disaster strikes. Happened to me more then once, the trouble being that it takes a whole to realize the cause of your blank screen.
Ok, on to the solution::
So, you left compilation mode on, but cannot reach the backend to switch it off. If you have SSH access, you are in luck.
Step 1: Check current compilation status
$ php -f shell/compiler.php -- state Compiler Status: Enabled Compilation State: Compiled Collected Files Count: 6042 Compiled Scopes Count: 4
- Disable Magento compilation:
$ php -f shell/compiler.php -- disable Compiler include path disabled
- Clear all compiled files
$ php -f shell/compiler.php -- clear Compilation successfully cleared
- Ensure that compiler is disabled now by checking its status:
$ php -f shell/compiler.php -- state Compiler Status: Disabled Compilation State: Not Compiled Collected Files Count: 0 Compiled Scopes Count: 0
Step 2: Clear all cache in Magento
What if you don’t have SSH access?
(For example in a shared hosting solution), I don’t have the solution I’m afraid…