Changing the session timeout interval
By default, Magento automatically logs out administrators when connections are idle for a certain amount of time (specifically, the value of the session.gc_maxlifetime PHP directive). However, you can increase or decrease this interval according to your own requirements.
To determine the current value of the session.gc_maxlifetime PHP directive on your server, use the phpinfo() function as described in this article.
Magento 2
To change the session timeout interval for the administrator in Magento 2, follow these steps:
- Log in to Magento using your administrator account.
- In the left sidebar, click Stores, and then under Settings, click Configuration.
- Click Advanced, and then click Admin.
- Under Security, in the Admin Session Lifetime (seconds) text box, type the session timeout interval in seconds that you want to use. For example, a value of 1200 sets a timeout interval of 20 minutes.
- Click Save Config.
- Log out of Magento, and then log back in. The new session timeout interval is now active.
- Magento 1.9 and older versions
To change the session timeout interval for the administrator in Magento 1.9 and older versions, follow these steps:
- Log in to Magento using your administrator account.
- On the top menu bar, click System, and then click Configuration.
- In the Configuration pane on the left side, scroll down the page, and then under ADVANCED, click Admin.
- Click Security.
- In the Session Lifetime text box, type the session timeout interval in seconds that you want to use. For example, a value of 1200 sets a timeout interval of 20 minutes.
- Click Save Config.
- Log out of Magento, and then log back in. The new session timeout interval is now active.