JOOMLERS.UK User Guides

Firefox version 148, released shortly after the release date of Joomla! 5.4.3 causes the TinyMCE editor to flicker and content to load endlessly, making it impossible to edit article content.

The Joomla! Project state that this issue will be resolved in Joomla 5.4.4.

If you cannot wait until then you could implement the fix published at the link below or try one of the following options:

• use a different web browser,
• use an older version of Firefox (earlier than v148), or
• install a 3rd party content editor.

We can confirm that the latest release of the excellent JCE Content Editor is not affected.

Read more: TinyMCE Hotfix.

Related JCM Article: The Joomla Post Release Decision Process (March 2026).

Joomla! 5.4.0 introduced the option of enabling Automated Core Joomla Updates.

The Automated Updates extension is disabled by default when you update an existing Joomla! CMS website to Joomla! 5.4 or later.

When creating a brand new website you will be prompted to enable Automated Updates during the installation procedure.

Should you enable it?

See the arguments for and against in our Automated Core Joomla Updates article.

We have no plans to use it with our own websites at this time.

Reason: we adopt a 'hands on' approach to administering our websites.

Read more: Automated Core Joomla Updates.

Joomla! 5.3.0 introduces a new "files" folder to the Media Manager.

The new "files" folder makes it possible to organize non-image files (for example, PDFs) separately from images.

In the Media screen of new Joomla! 5.3.0 installations, a new root folder named "files" is visible alongside "images", but not in updated existing Joomla! installations.

If you have updated an existing Joomla! installation to Joomla! 5.3.0 then you will need to make some changes in your website's Dashboard to be able to organise non-image files using the new "files" folder.

Step 1: in Media Options, set the Path to Files Folder option to "files".

Step 2: in the FileSystem - Local Plugin screen, use the plus (+) button to add "files" to the list of allowed directories (by default, only "images" is listed).

Read more: Official Joomla! Documentation.

The Compatibility Plugin is enabled by default in the Joomla! 5+ CMS.

Purpose: to enable Third Party Extensions which are not yet compatible with Joomla! 5+ to continue to function after you update your website.

Its use will however adversely impact your website's performance in browsers.

Your website's page load times will be slower.

For this reason you may wish to avoid using extensions which require use of the Compatibility Plugin.

If all your website's Third Party Extensions are compatible with Joomla! 5 then you may disable the plugin.

The Joomla! Project has published a useful guide at the following link.

Read More: Issues to consider before you disable the Compatibility Plugin.

The Joomla! Project recommend you try updating a backup of your live website before attempting to update your live website to Joomla! 5.

First check the PHP and MySQL used by your website's server are compatible with running Joomla! 5.

Read more: Technical Requirements for hosting a Joomla! CMS website.

Read more: Joomla_4.4 to Joomla! 5 Planning and Upgrade Step by Step.

Joomla! 5 requires a more recent version of MySQL than was the case with Joomla! 4; the following link explains why.

Embracing Change: Why Joomla 5’s Requirement for MySQL 8 is a Leap Forward.

Joomla! 4.x templates should work with Joomla! 5.

Joomla! Project Security and Bug Fix support for Joomla! 3.10 ended on 17 August 2023.

The Joomla! Project offered an Extended Long Term Support (ELTS) programme on a subscription basis to users of Joomla! 3.10 who were not able to immediately switch to Joomla! 4.x or later.

The ELTS ended on 17 February 2025.