Maintenance mode

When maintenance mode is enabled, only administrators have access to the forum. Other users will see the message "This forum is in maintenance mode". Administrators use maintenance mode while doing tasks such as: forum upgrades, backups, restores, installing and uninstalling themes and modifications.

In maintenance mode, the database may still be accessed for user authentication (to check if the member is an administrator).

How to Enable Maintenance Mode

1. Go to Administration > Configuration > Server Settings > General.
2. Check the box next to Enable Maintenance Mode.
3. Change the Subject for display.
4. If you wish, you may change the Message for display. All guests and members will see this message and it can be used to give an explanation as to why the forum is in maintenance mode.
5. Click the save button.

How to Disable Maintenance Mode

1. Go to Administration > Configuration > Server Settings > General.
2. Uncheck the box next to Enable Maintenance Mode.
3. Click the save button.

How to Set Maintenance Mode without Logging into the Forum

1. Log in to your forum's control panel.
2. Go to your file manager.
3. Find the directory that your forum's files are in. This could be public_html, www, or several other places, depending on your host.
4. Find the file Settings.php and make a back-up copy of it, just in case you make a mistake while editing it.
5. Open the file Settings.php for editing.
6. Find $maintenance in the file. Here are the settings you can use:
   • maintenance = 0; - Maintenance mode is turned on.
   • maintenance = 1; - Maintenance mode is turned off.
   • maintenance = 2; - Anyone (including administrators) trying to access the forum will see nothing more than a white page. Maintenance mode is thus enabled, full force. This setting will leave the database untouched (as far as the SMF Forum is concerned), but it cannot be enabled from the administration center.
7. Save the file.