How to update Joomla version

When a new Joomla version becomes available, you can update your website through the Joomla Administrator dashboard or through Softaculous (if the installation was performed using Softaculous). Before updating, ensure you have completed the necessary preparations to avoid compatibility or data loss issues.

 

Before you update

Before proceeding with the update, perform the following:

• Back up your Joomla website files.
• Back up your Joomla database SQL file.
• Review the system requirements of the target Joomla version.
• Verify that your installed extensions and templates are compatible with the new version.

 

Ways to update Joomla

There are two ways to update your Joomla version:

• Via Joomla Administration Page
• Via Softaculous Apps Installer in cPanel

 

Via Joomla Administration Page

This process is convenient if you are not logged in to cPanel. Follow the steps below on how to update the Joomla version inside the administration page.

1. Access the Joomla administration page. The default link is http://<yourdomain.com>/administrator, unless configured differently (replace the yourdomain.com with your website’s domain).
2. Log in to your Joomla administration page. If you can’t remember the password, you can follow this link on how to reset your Joomla logins.
3. Click the Update Now button.
   
   
   
    
4. Review the details and click the Install the Update button.
   
   
   
    
5. Wait for the progress to finish.
   
   
   
   
   A confirmation for the completion of the Joomla update will show on the page like shown in the screenshot below.
   
   
    
6. Check your Joomla’s extensions if there is a need in updating by going to Extensions > Manage > Discover. If everything is set, it should say No Matching Results.
   
   
   
   
   If there are extensions shown on the list, select the extension that is needed for your website and click the Install button that corresponds to the extension chosen.

 

Via Softaculous Apps Installer in cPanel

This method only applies to Joomla websites installed through Softaculous.

1. Log in to cPanel.
2. In the Software section, click the Softaculous Apps Installer.
   
   
    
3. Make sure PHP is chosen at the top, then click the Installations button.
   
   
   
    
4. If an update is available, an update icon beside the current version number will show just like in the screenshot below. Click the update icon to set up the update.
   
   
   
    
5. Tick the box next to Create Backup if you want a backup to be generated by cPanel. As shown below the box, this generates a full backup as the default. A full backup consists of both the website files and the database used by the website.
   
   
   
    
6. Click the Upgrade button to start the update.
   
   
   
    
7. Wait for the update process to finish.
   
   
   
   
   The same page will show the message in the screenshot below once the upgrade is completed.
   
   

 

After the update

• Check that the website loads correctly.
• Confirm that extensions are functioning as expected.
• Review the Joomla Administrator dashboard for any extension update notifications.