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Feed URL Problem: "The URL does not point to a valid or accessible file"

Problem​

When trying to upload your product feed to Facebook’s Commerce Manager, you may encounter the following error message:

❌ The URL does not point to a valid or accessible file. Make sure the URL points directly to a file and begins with http, https, ftp or sftp.

This happens even though the feed URL:

  • Is correct
  • Loads successfully in your browser
  • Does not show any red warning box or line/column parsing error

Sometimes, after several seconds, the browser may show an Out of Memory error. This does not mean the feed is broken — it simply means the file is too large to display in your browser, but it remains valid and accessible for Facebook.

Why This Happens​

This issue is typically caused by server-side restrictions that prevent Facebook’s crawlers from accessing your feed file, even if you can see it in your browser.

✅ Your feed is fine if:​

  • It opens in the browser
  • It shows the XML content without any formatting errors
  • No red box appears saying something like “Error on line XX, column YY”
  • You only see an out-of-memory or rendering limit after scrolling or waiting (browser limitation)

Most Common Causes​

🔐 1. Firewall or Hosting Security Rules​

Many servers have security layers that block unknown bots or limit automatic access to files. This includes:

  • BitNinja
  • Imunify360
  • ModSecurity (common in cPanel)
  • Fail2Ban
  • CSF Firewall

These tools might block Facebook’s crawler user agent by default.

☁️ 2. Cloudflare or CDN Blocking​

If your site uses Cloudflare or another CDN (Content Delivery Network), its Bot Fight Mode or Firewall Rules may block or challenge the request from Facebook.

Check in Cloudflare > Security > Bots and make sure “Verified bots” are allowed.

You can also create a Firewall Rule to explicitly allow Facebook to access your feed:

If URI Path contains "/modules/facebookproductsfeed/feeds/"
Then Allow

🔒 3. URL Restrictions or Authentication​

If your feed URL is protected in any of the following ways, Facebook won’t be able to access it:

  • HTTP Basic Auth (username and password)
  • IP filtering (via .htaccess, firewall, or server rules)
  • Under construction/maintenance mode

Make sure the feed URL is publicly accessible.

⚠️ 4. Caching or Anti-DDoS Systems​

CDNs or reverse proxies like:

  • Cloudflare
  • Sucuri
  • BunnyCDN
  • Akamai

might block or throttle large XML requests. Facebook might receive a blocked or incomplete response.

How to Fix It​

✅ Step-by-Step Checklist​

  1. Confirm the URL works in your browser

    • It should display the XML or show a memory/rendering error after loading — that’s fine.
    • Make sure no red error box appears saying the file is invalid.

  2. Test access with curl From terminal or by asking your host:

    curl -I http://yourdomain.com/modules/facebookproductsfeed/feeds/yourfeed.xml

    If you get a 403 Forbidden, 5xx Server Error, or no response, your server is blocking the request.

  3. Ask your hosting provider Provide them the feed URL and tell them Facebook must access it. Ask them to:

    • Whitelist Facebook’s crawler (facebookexternalhit)
    • Disable bot filtering on the feed path

  4. Check your CDN or Cloudflare settings

    • Whitelist Facebook’s bots
    • Add an allow rule for feed paths (/modules/facebookproductsfeed/feeds/)

  5. Temporarily disable protection Just for testing, disable firewalls or bot protections and try again in Commerce Manager. If it works, you’ve confirmed the source of the issue.

About the Products Feed for Facebook Module​

This guide applies to the Products Feed for Facebook module created by Smart Modules, designed for PrestaShop stores. It automatically generates a Facebook-compatible XML feed for Dynamic Ads, Catalog Sync, and Instagram Tagging.

  • ✅ Compatible with PrestaShop 1.6 and 1.7
  • ✅ Supports Facebook and Instagram product catalogs
  • ✅ Automatically generates the correct XML structure
  • ✅ Fully maintained by Smart Modules

Still Need Help?​

If you're stuck, contact your hosting support and provide them this guide.

Or reach out directly to the Smart Modules support team via the Addons Marketplace. We’ll help you get your feed working with Facebook.