How to Restrict a Joomla Module by Access Level
Joomla modules include an Access setting that assigns a Viewing Access Level. Set the module to a level containing the groups that should see it, then verify both an allowed user and a user outside that audience.
Choose the intended audience
Decide whether the module is public, intended for signed-in users, or limited to a custom role. Viewing Access Levels map one or more user groups to a named level. They control viewing, not what actions those users may perform.
Review the access level first
Open Users → Access Levels and confirm the level includes exactly the groups you intend. If necessary, create a custom level rather than changing a widely used level whose membership affects many other menu items, modules, categories, or component items.
Assign Access to the module
- Open the site's module manager from Joomla Administrator.
- Open the module you want to restrict.
- Locate Access.
- Select the intended Viewing Access Level.
- Save the module.
Official current-generation Joomla module help describes Access as the viewing Access Level for the module.
Check menu assignment separately
A module can also be assigned to selected menu items/pages. Access and menu assignment solve different problems: Access determines which users may see the module, while menu assignment determines on which menu-item contexts the module is displayed. If a module is missing for an allowed user, verify both settings.
Do not confuse a hidden module with protected content
Restricting a module does not automatically restrict content or functionality linked from that module. If the module links to private articles, downloads, forms, or component views, configure viewing access or permissions on those resources too.
Test the result
Use separate clean sessions for an allowed and disallowed user. Check a page where the module is assigned. If results are inconsistent, inspect the user's full group membership, the groups included in the access level, module publication status, menu assignment, language assignment, and caching before broadening access.
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