Checks after updating the Joomla! CMS
Check the following screens after every Joomla! update.
Database Screen
You can check the health of your website's Database simply by viewing the Maintenance Panel of the System Dashboard.
If you see a green tick next to Database then you know there are no problems.
If you see the green tick and click the Database link provided then you will see the reassuring message:
- All Database Table Structures are up to date.
If you do not see this message then this means that some Database tables have not been updated.
Follow the on-screen instructions to update the database.
Database Help Screen
Discover Screen
You can use the Discover screen to check no files remain uninstalled after updating the Joomla! CMS and 3rd party extensions.
This can be done by selecting the Discover link from the Install Panel of the System Dashboard.
If you see a green tick next to Discover then there are no problems
If you see the green tick and click the Discover link provided then you will see the reassuring message:
- You have no discovered extensions to install.
If there is no green tick and you see a list of items when you click the Discover link then you will need to clear the Discover screen.
Here is how to clear the Discover screen:
- select the check box next to each listed item.
- select Install.
Discover Help Screen
Warnings Screen
You can check for Warnings simply by viewing the Information Panel of the System Dashboard.
If you see a green tick next to Warnings then you know there are none requiring your attention.
The number of issues is indicated in a yellow box.
Warnings should not be ignored.
Click the Warnings link to view details.
Learn more about Warnings at the following link.
Installation Messages
You can check for Installation Messages simply by viewing the Information Panel of the System Dashboard.
If you see a green tick next to Installation Messages then you know there are none requiring your attention.
The number of messages is indicated in a yellow box.
Installation Messages should not be ignored.
Root Files
By 'root files' we mean:
- HTACCESS file, and
- ROBOTS.TXT file.
These 'root files' are not automatically updated by the Joomla! update process.
For this reason, The Joomla! Project will sometimes issue an Installation Message to accompany a Joomla! CMS update when they recommend making a change to either of the above files.
The Installation Message will be visible in the website dashboard after updating the Joomla! CMS.
You should not however assume that such a message will be issued when there is a change in the default Joomla! CMS HTACCESS and ROBOTS.TXT files.
You should instead check for changes to these files following a Joomla! CMS update, especially after an update from one series of Joomla! CMS to another (example: from Joomla! 4 to Joomla! 5).
We have never seen an instance when a change to the HTACCESS file was not highlighted by The Joomla! Project.
We have however seen an instance recently when a change in the default ROBOTS.TXT file was not highlighted.
Read more: Check your website's ROBOTS.TXT file after updating to Joomla! 4.
Are you familiar with the Hosting Environment?
If you run a business or community group website, then you should find out more about Joomla! CMS:
- its database structure (via PhpMyAdmin in your hosting control panel),
- its directory and file structure (via the File Manager in your hosting control panel),
- and the version of PHP currently in use (is your server using the latest version with which your Joomla! CMS is compatible).
When you do you will be see there is lots you can do outside of the website itself to improve its performance and keep it safe.
Read more: Familiarise yourself with the Hosting Environment.
