Magento 2 Category Filter in Layered Navigation: How To Remove & Manage

Layered navigation is a cornerstone of a positive user experience in any Magento 2 store. It allows customers to efficiently drill down through product listings using various attributes like price, color, size, and, often, category. However, the Magento 2 layered navigation category filter isn’t always necessary or desired, especially on specific pages. Sometimes, you might need to remove category filter from layered navigation in Magento altogether, or simply manage its display more effectively.

This guide explores how to handle the Magento 2 category filter in layered navigation, covering default methods and introducing a powerful advanced solution to simplify the navigation configuration.

How to Remove Magento 2 Category Filter

Follow these simple steps to remove the category filter in Magento 2 without any custom development:

This will immediately remove the category filter from your storefront’s layered navigation, all without requiring any technical skills.

Advanced Solution for Category Filter Management in Magento 2

For store owners seeking a simple, powerful, and code-free way to remove category filter from layered navigation in Magento 2 store and manage all aspects of their category layered navigation, our Magento 2 Layered Navigation extension provides the perfect solution.

Instead of diving into complex code or XML files, our extension offers intuitive backend controls directly within the Magento Admin Panel. Here’s how it specifically helps you manage the Magento 2 category filter in layered navigation:

Enable/Disable Category Filter (Drag&Drop Interface)

Within the extension’s configuration, all available product filter attributes can be enabled or disabled in the dedicated section. This means you can simply choose to disable the category filter entirely from appearing in the layered navigation just by dragging the desired attribute in the opposite block. So, this extension solves the need to remove category from layered navigation in Magento 2 without touching any code.

Additionally, if you have filters that show no results, you can simply hide them. This simple trick helps to avoid cluttering the filtering bar and enhances the user experience.

Configure Category Filter Display & Tree Depth

Customize filter lists for each category to show only the most relevant options. Tailoring filters to individual category pages helps streamline product discovery and creates a faster, more intuitive shopping experience.

Define how many levels of subcategories are visible in the category filter. You can opt to show only top-level categories or expand into subcategories based on your store’s structure and customer browsing behavior.

Create Unique Filter Lists for Each Category

Gain granular control by setting up unique filter lists for each category separately. This allows you to display only relevant filters on specific category pages. You could, for instance, choose to hide the category filter on certain category pages while keeping it on others or on search results.

Other Robust Features

While managing which filters appear, the extension also enhances the experience when they are used. Its Magento 2 Ajax Layered Navigation capability means product lists refresh instantly when filters (including the category filter, if enabled) are applied, without annoying page reloads.

Instantly switch between a classic Vertical Sidebar or a modern Horizontal Toolbar for your navigation block, ensuring it perfectly complements your store’s design.

Also, you can enable the “Scroll Up After Filtering” option. When activated, the page automatically scrolls to the top of the product list after filters are applied, ensuring customers immediately see the updated results without needing to scroll manually.

For attributes with numerous options (like brands, sizes, or categories if enabled), you can “Enable Search Box” directly within that filter block. This dramatically speeds up finding the desired option. You have granular control to:

• Enable it only for lists exceeding a “Minimum Number of Attribute Options”.
• Select exactly which attributes should “Show Search Box for”.
• Customize the “Search Box Placeholder Text”.

Multi-Select Filter Options, Advanced Price Filter Slider, Additional Filters (Stock Status, Rating, New Arrivals, Sale) and other features are provided with the extension to enhance shopping experience and drive more sales on your website!

By using the extension, you can easily control the category filter and all other layered navigation options—like price, stock status, and rating—through an intuitive Magento backend interface.