---
title: "How to issue a reindex in Magento"
source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/cms/magento/how-to-issue-a-reindex-in-magento/"
description: "Learn how to issue a reindex to optimize performance in Magento 1 from the admin panel or command line, which requires SSH access and some familiarity with the…"
vertical: "Hosting"
date: "2019-09-11"
last_modified: "2026-08-20"
---

# How to issue a reindex in Magento

![](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/featured-image-default-new-193.jpg)*How to issue a reindex in Magento 1 from the Admin Panel and from the command line.*

Method 1 is preferred for most clients; you should use Method 2 only if Method 1 fails, as it requires SSH access and some familiarity with the command line interface (CLI).

**ATTENTION**: If you prefer, you may use your SiteWorx account to automate reindexing as a cron job. For assistance, refer to [How to set up cron jobs](https://docs.nexcess.com/sites-stores/control-panel/interworx/siteworx/manage-cron-jobs/) and use the example provided.

## **Method 1: Using the Admin Panel**

1. Log in to Magento Admin Panel.
2. Click **System** > **Index Management**.  
    ![](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1568206797627-1568206797627-1.png)
3. On the left, select any or all categories to reindex. If you want to reindex all categories, click **Select All**.  
    ![](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1568206819537-1568206819537-1.png)
4. From the **Actions** drop-down list, select **Reindex Data** and then click **Submit**.  
    ![](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1568206834413-1568206834413-1.png)
5. Depending on how many categories, and the amount of information that needs to be reindexed, this could take minutes or hours.
6. If the reindex does not finish, proceed with Method 2 below.

**Method 2: Using the command line**

You must have SSH access to use this method. If you do not yet have SSH access, refer to [How to obtain SSH access from Nexcess](https://docs.nexcess.com/sites-stores/control-panel/interworx/siteworx/security/ssh-access/) for guidance.

Using the command line should indicate more descriptive errors should one arise.

1. Log in to the server using the SSH credentials provided to you by our support team.
2. Navigate to your Magento installation: /home/demo/demosite.com/html/
3. After accessing the Magento directory, navigate to the shell directory: ```
    cd shell
    ```
4. To view the current status of the Magento indexer, enter: ```
    php indexer.php --status
    ```
5. To issue a reindex of all categories, enter: ```
    php indexer.php --reindexall
    ```
    
    To see a list of specific categories for reindexing, enter:
    
    ```
    php indexer.php info
    ```