How to Uninstall Mod_Pagespeed on Ubuntu

mod_pagespeed is an invaluable tool for enhancing website speed on Apache and Nginx servers. It works by automatically optimizing your web pages and associated resources like CSS, JavaScript, and images, without requiring manual modifications. Think of it as an automated performance expert!

However, situations may arise where you need to uninstall it. Potential reasons include conflicts with other software or concerns about server resource usage.

This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough of how to safely and completely uninstall mod_pagespeed from your Ubuntu server.

Let’s begin!

Step 1: Configuration Backup – Always a Good Idea

Before making any system changes, it’s crucial to create a backup. This allows you to easily revert to your previous settings if something goes wrong.

sudo cp /etc/apache2/mods-available/pagespeed.conf /etc/apache2/mods-available/pagespeed.conf.backup

Step 2: Disable the mod_pagespeed Module

Prevent the module from actively optimizing your site by disabling it before complete removal.

sudo a2dismod pagespeed

Step 3: Uninstall the Package

This step completely removes the mod_pagespeed software package from your system using the `apt-get` package manager.

sudo apt-get purge mod-pagespeed-*

Step 4: Remove Residual Configuration Files

Even after uninstalling the package, some configuration files might remain. This step removes these files to ensure a clean uninstall.

sudo rm /etc/apache2/mods-available/pagespeed.conf
sudo rm /etc/apache2/mods-available/pagespeed.load

Step 5: Restart Apache for Changes to Take Effect

Restarting Apache ensures that all changes are applied and that the module is no longer loaded.

sudo systemctl restart apache2

Commands at a Glance

• sudo cp /etc/apache2/mods-available/pagespeed.conf /etc/apache2/mods-available/pagespeed.conf.backup – Creates a backup copy of the mod_pagespeed configuration file.
• sudo a2dismod pagespeed – Disables the mod_pagespeed Apache module.
• sudo apt-get purge mod-pagespeed-* – Uninstalls the mod_pagespeed package and removes its configuration files.
• sudo rm /etc/apache2/mods-available/pagespeed.conf – Removes the primary mod_pagespeed configuration file.
• sudo systemctl restart apache2 – Restarts the Apache web server to apply the changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why might someone choose to remove mod_pagespeed?

   Reasons vary, including compatibility problems with other modules, concerns about its impact on server resources, or a decision to implement alternative web optimization techniques.

2. Is it safe to remove mod_pagespeed?

   Yes, the uninstallation is safe if you follow the prescribed steps and ensure you’ve backed up your configurations beforehand.

3. How will uninstalling mod_pagespeed affect my website’s performance?

   After removal, your website will no longer benefit from mod_pagespeed’s optimizations. The tangible performance difference will depend on any other optimizations implemented on your site. There may not be a noticeable difference if another caching mechanism (ex: varnish, nginx caching) or other modules are properly configured and tuned..

4. Can I install mod_pagespeed again later if needed?

   Absolutely! You can always reinstall mod_pagespeed if your needs change in the future.

5. What are some alternatives to mod_pagespeed for web optimization?

   Several alternatives exist, including content delivery networks (CDNs) like Cloudflare’s APO, caching plugins like LiteSpeed Cache, and configuration of web servers such as Nginx to serve cached or optimized content.

In Conclusion

Removing mod_pagespeed from your Ubuntu system is a relatively simple task. By meticulously following the steps outlined above, you can safely uninstall the module and related configuration files.

Remember, backing up files beforehand is *always* a smart practice.

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