How to manually update the Joomla! CMS
The process is initially the same whether you are updating:
- from one Major Version to another (example: Joomla 6.x to 7.x), or
- from one Minor Version to another (example: Joomla! 6.0 to Joomla! 6.1), or
- from one Patch to another (example: Joomla! 6.1.0 to Joomla! 6.1.1).
For more about the difference between Major and Minor Versions and Patches, read our separate article.
Read more: Joomla! Series, Versions and Patches.
All Manual Joomla! CMS Updates
Open the Joomla! Updates screen and review the Update Channel settings.
Step 1: Open the Joomla Update Screen
Select the Joomla Update button in either the:
- Notifications panel of the Home Dashboard, or the
- Update panel of the System Dashboard
to open the Joomla Update screen.
Home Dashboard
System Dashboard
Step 2: Open the Joomla! Update Options screen
You will see the Joomla! Update Options button (shown here) at the top right of the Dashboard in the Joomla Update screen.
Select it to review Update Channel settings.
Step 3: Review the Update Channel
In the Joomla Update Options screen you will see two tabs:
- Automated Updates tab, and
- Update Source tab.
Under the Update Source tab you should see:
- Update Channel = Default, and
- Minimum Stability = Stable
as shown in the image below.
This is fine unless you want to update the Joomla! CMS from one Major Version to another (example, from Joomla! 6.0 to Joomla! 7.0).
If yes then change the Update Channel to Joomla Next.
Note
After a Major Version update the Update Channel setting will automatically revert to Default.
Joomla! Minor Version and Patch Updates
There are several such updates per Joomla! Series.
- Example Minor Version Update: Joomla! 6.0 to Joomla! 6.1
- Example Patch Update: Joomla! 6.1.0 to Joomla! 6.1.1
Whilst a Minor Version and Patch Update does not require changing the Update Channel from Default, it is worth checking:
- Update Channel = Default
before you begin updating the Joomla! CMS.
And checking you have performed a full backup of your website before proceeding.
The Minor Version and Patch Update process is straightforward.
Step 1: Check for updates
If an update is available you will be prompted to select a Start Update button.
You will also see a checkbox advising you to make a backup of your website before updating it.
Step 2: Update in progress
You should not have to wait very long (only a few minutes) after commencing the update process.
Step 3: Update completed
When done you will see confirmation of the update process having been successfully completed.
Joomla! Major Version Update
There will be only one Major Version Update per Joomla! Series.
The Major Version Update process is relatively straightforward but more complex than the Minor Version and Patch Update process.
The process first requires that you perform Pre-update Checks.
These checks are in three parts.
Part 1: Required Settings
A yellow triangle means that a required setting is not met on the server hosting your website.
We advise that you delay updating your website's Joomla! CMS until you have ensured that all required settings are met.
You may need to contact your hosting provider's Technical Support.
Part 2: Recommended Settings
A yellow triangle means that a recommended setting is not met on the server hosting your website.
Output Buffering
We have not never experienced any issues arising following an update when this recommended setting has not been met.
Part 3: Extensions
A yellow triangle means that update information is unavailable for any one 3rd Party Extension (including template).
If you are confident that flagged extensions are compatible with the new Major Version then proceed.
If not confident then you may wish to contact the extension developer or switch to using a different 3rd Party Extension.
The Major Update process then comprises three simple steps.
Step 1: Select OK to confirm you wish to proceed
You must first select the checkbox shown in the image below to confirm that you are aware that some extensions may not be compatible with the next Major Version of Joomla! CMS.
Step 3: Update completed
When done you will see confirmation of the update process having been successfully completed.
Note
After a Major Version update the Update Channel setting automatically reverts to Default.
Manually updating using the Upload and Update routine
You may need to follow the Upload and Update routine if the server hosting your website:
- is behind a firewall, or
- is unable to connect with the Joomla! Project's update servers.
The routine requires that you first download the Joomla! CMS Update Package in zip format from the official Joomla! download page at joomla.org.
And then upload and install it in your website.
It is a simple three step process.
The button shown here will be displayed at the bottom of the Joomla! Update screen.
Step 2: Browse to locate the Joomla! Update Package zip file on your device
See button highlighted in the image below.
Warning: The PHP temporary folder is not in use
The above image shows the above warning.
We have never experienced any issues arising following an update when we have seen this warning displayed.
See Upload & Install button highlighted in the image below.
Warnings
Warnings should not be ignored.
But not all warnings imply that the world is about to end.
For example, PHP temporary folder is not set is a very common warning.
We can confirm that we have never experienced any issues arising following an update when this warning has been displayed.
Learn more about various warnings you may encounter when updating the Joomla! CMS at the following link.
