Joomla 3.x admin not working after upgrade to PHP 8 Topic is solved

[punkeb]

My provider has upgraded the PHP version from 7.4 to 8.0. I've made website some years ago with Joomla 3.8 as i see the version file via FTP.

Since the upgrade was done, I have no more access to my Joomla administration (http error 500/page is dead). I also cannot downgrade to PHP 7.4.as my provider only support 8.0 +

Is there any way i can make my website work again? I'm new with this problem but i've read that i need to make a back up of the website and upgrade it via Xampp offline? is this the only solution ? to start to read and try to make it happen or is there a better solution to this kind of problem?

Thanks in advance.

[AMurray]

No, Joomla 3.8 won't work at all with PHP 8.0. Your joomla version is from 2018, PHP 8 was first released in 2020.
Not a surprise it doesn't work.

Your web host is wise not to offer end-of-life PHP versions but it is unfortunate that it breaks your site. My web host still offers PHP 7.4 and even PHP 5.6 (but I'm hosting sites on a VPS so slightly different to shared hosting).
Can you access your database via your web host, i.e. with phpMyAdmin? If so, then export the database there (seek help from your web host for that if needed) as a *.sql file.

Download all the Joomla files to your computer. I don't know if you could zip them first and then download the zip folder and then extract them to the correct location.

Install Wampserver (not XAMPP as you'll be in the same boat; you can't select different PHP with XAMPP).

Wampserver gives you better flexibility including the ability to install additional PHP versions and swap between them. So you can install PHP 7.4 and safely use it with your site offline.

You can find the WAMPServer files here: https://wampserver.aviatechno.net/.

The default download package includes Apache 2.4.58 - PHP 7.4.33/8.0.30/8.1.26/8.2.13/8.3.0 - MySQL 8.2.0 - MariaDB 11.2.2. Also includes PhpMyAdmin 5.2.1 - [removed] 4.8.1 - PhpSysInfo 3.4.3. You may need an earlier version of MySQL to get your JOomal 3.8.x site working again, as mentioned you can download the module above fr MySQL 5.7.44 for example. You simply then have to select the version, and possibly do a server restart (start WAMP services, not your entire PC).

The above link has the additional modules for download. They are self-extracting installable files, so easy to install.

Additionally, you need the Windows Runtime (C++ Redistributable) files, also available at the above link. You need both the 32 and 64-bit versions. There's also a utility to check what you have already installed. WAMPServer won't install if you don't have all the runtime files.

Once you have WAMP installed, copy the joomla files you downloaded into a sub-folder such as
c:\wamp64\www\[yourwebsite]

(Name "yourwebsite" folder whatever you wish it to be called)

Create a new database in WAMPServer with phpMyAdmin from WAMPServer, and import your database exported from your live host. Then within the configuration.php file, change the database connection information to your new database in Wampserver. I think that should get the site working, once you choose the PHP version as v7.4

That's the only way I can think of if you don't have access to your site and therefore to a backup tool like Akeeba Backup.

WAMPServer has its support forum if you need help: for additional resources: https://www.wampserver.com/en/download- ... er-64bits/

[punkeb]

No, Joomla 3.8 won't work at all with PHP 8.0. Your joomla version is from 2018, PHP 8 was first released in 2020.
Not a surprise it doesn't work.

Your web host is wise not to offer end-of-life PHP versions but it is unfortunate that it breaks your site. My web host still offers PHP 7.4 and even PHP 5.6 (but I'm hosting sites on a VPS so slightly different to shared hosting).
Can you access your database via your web host, i.e. with phpMyAdmin? If so, then export the database there (seek help from your web host for that if needed) as a *.sql file.

Download all the Joomla files to your computer. I don't know if you could zip them first and then download the zip folder and then extract them to the correct location.

Install Wampserver (not XAMPP as you'll be in the same boat; you can't select different PHP with XAMPP).

Wampserver gives you better flexibility including the ability to install additional PHP versions and swap between them. So you can install PHP 7.4 and safely use it with your site offline.

You can find the WAMPServer files here: https://wampserver.aviatechno.net/.

The default download package includes Apache 2.4.58 - PHP 7.4.33/8.0.30/8.1.26/8.2.13/8.3.0 - MySQL 8.2.0 - MariaDB 11.2.2. Also includes PhpMyAdmin 5.2.1 - [removed] 4.8.1 - PhpSysInfo 3.4.3. You may need an earlier version of MySQL to get your JOomal 3.8.x site working again, as mentioned you can download the module above fr MySQL 5.7.44 for example. You simply then have to select the version, and possibly do a server restart (start WAMP services, not your entire PC).

The above link has the additional modules for download. They are self-extracting installable files, so easy to install.

Additionally, you need the Windows Runtime (C++ Redistributable) files, also available at the above link. You need both the 32 and 64-bit versions. There's also a utility to check what you have already installed. WAMPServer won't install if you don't have all the runtime files.

Once you have WAMP installed, copy the joomla files you downloaded into a sub-folder such as
c:\wamp64\www\[yourwebsite]

(Name "yourwebsite" folder whatever you wish it to be called)

Create a new database in WAMPServer with phpMyAdmin from WAMPServer, and import your database exported from your live host. Then within the configuration.php file, change the database connection information to your new database in Wampserver. I think that should get the site working, once you choose the PHP version as v7.4

That's the only way I can think of if you don't have access to your site and therefore to a backup tool like Akeeba Backup.

WAMPServer has its support forum if you need help: for additional resources: https://www.wampserver.com/en/download- ... er-64bits/

Thank you! it was really helpful, unfortunately the template doesn't support a newer version of Joomla but i managed to see the website on WAMP and extract all the information i need to build a new one! THANK YOU!

[Webdongle]

You can use .htaccess to change the php version https://supporthost.com/tutorial/php-version/
But you also need to update your Joomla.

[brian]

You can use .htaccess to change the php version https://supporthost.com/tutorial/php-version/

Only if your host supports that functionality and only for the versions that your host provides and only if your host supports the same syntax - none of mine do. Such generic advice is rarely helpful

[Webdongle]

I know several Hosts that update their php without listing older versions in their cp but the older versions can be used by editing the htaccess.

You are wrong @brian Generic information can often be useful. You of all people know that but still you keep trolling me.