---
title: Configuring verbose logging in the admin console
description: Select or clear the Verbose log setting checkbox for each PingAccess-specific logging category to adjust log levels more conveniently and quickly.
component: pingaccess
version: 8.2
page_id: pingaccess:pingaccess_user_interface_reference_guide:pa_configuring_verbose_logging
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingaccess/9.1/pingaccess_user_interface_reference_guide/pa_configuring_verbose_logging.html
llms_txt: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingaccess/llms.txt
docs_for_agents: https://developer.pingidentity.com/build-with-ai/docs-for-agents.md
revdate: August 20, 2026
superseded_by: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingaccess/9.1/pingaccess_user_interface_reference_guide/pa_configuring_verbose_logging.html
section_ids:
  before-you-begin: Before you begin
  steps: Steps
---

# Configuring verbose logging in the admin console

Select or clear the **Verbose** log setting checkbox for each PingAccess-specific logging category to adjust log levels more conveniently and quickly.

Logging levels, sometimes abbreviated to log levels, control the amount of information displayed in each log entry for a specific category. The `log4j-categories.xml` file, first introduced in PingAccess 7.3, defines and allows references to PingAccess-specific logging categories. The **Verbose** log setting enables you to adjust log levels in the admin console as opposed to directly within the `conf/log4j2.xml` file. Any changes you make to this setting are effective immediately.

|   |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| - | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|   | PingAccess records runtime, administrative server, and audit activity in the respective log files contained in the `<PA_HOME>/log` folder. You can find more information on PingAccess logging in the [Log configuration](../configuring_and_customizing_pingaccess/pa_logging_configuration.html) section. |

## Before you begin

If you've customized your `log4j2.xml` file, you must merge those customizations into the updated `log4j2.xml` file introduced in PingAccess 7.3. For example, customizations might include configuring the `log4j2.xml` file to write audit logs for Splunk or in Common Event Format (CEF).

If PingAccess can't find the new logging variables in the `log4j2.xml` file you're using, you'll receive a warning message after opening the **Log Settings** page. If you receive this warning, changes that you make on the **Log Settings** page can't be implemented until you merge your customizations into the `log4j2.xml` file.

Examples of the new logging variables:

* `<AsyncLogger name="com.pingidentity.pa.polling.replication" level="${sys:pa.log.level.clusterreplication:-INFO}"/>`

* `<AsyncLogger name="com.pingidentity.pa.policy.certs.CertificateRevocationInterceptor" level="${sys:pa.log.level.crlhandling:-INFO}"/>`

## Steps

1. In PingAccess, go to **Settings > System > Log Settings**.

2. In the **Verbose** column, select the checkboxes that correspond with the categories you want to change.

   By default, all categories (except for the five audit categories) are set to the `INFO` level. Enabling verbose logging changes the log level for the designated category to `DEBUG` or `TRACE`, respectively. When verbose logging is disabled for a designated category, the log level returns to `INFO`.

   |   |                                                                                                                                                                           |
   | - | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
   |   | Leaving log categories set to `DEBUG` or `TRACE` can decrease your server performance, so make sure to turn off verbose logging when you've finished reviewing your logs. |

   You can find more information about the categories that are available to adjust in [Log level category descriptions](pa_log_level_category_descriptions.html).

3. Click **Save**.