Introduction
Recently, I encountered a Magento 2 site with JavaScript (JS) merging and bundling enabled. Upon further investigation, I discovered that while bundling was intended to optimize performance, it actually inflated the JS file size significantly. Disabling JS bundling reduced the JS size by four times and improved the site load time considerably.
Issue with JS Bundling
JavaScript bundling aims to consolidate multiple JS files into a single bundle, which theoretically reduces the number of HTTP requests. However, in practice, this can lead to an excessively large JS file, negatively impacting load times.
Solution: Disable JS Bundling
Based on my experience, turning off JS bundling while keeping JS merging enabled can significantly improve performance. Here’s a step-by-step guide to disable JS bundling in Magento 2:
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Access JavaScript Settings
Navigate to Stores > Configuration > Advanced > Developer in the Magento admin panel.
2. Update JavaScript Settings
In the “JavaScript Settings” section:
- Set Merge JavaScript Files to
Yes. - Set Enable JavaScript Bundling to
No.
These settings help optimize the JS file size and improve site performance.
Benefits of Disabling JS Bundling
Disabling JS bundling while merging JS files offers several benefits:
- Reduced File Size: Significantly decreases the overall size of the JavaScript, making it lighter and faster to load.
- Improved Load Time: Decreases the site’s load time, enhancing user experience.
- Better Performance: Reduces the risk of performance issues associated with large bundled JS files.
Conclusion
While JS bundling is a promising feature, it currently needs further refinement to be effectively used in production environments. For now, disabling bundling and enabling merging provides a more efficient solution to optimize JavaScript performance in Magento 2.
Further Assistance
If you have any questions or need further assistance with optimizing your Magento 2 site’s JavaScript performance, feel free to leave a comment below or reach out for support.