Missing Update Source/Update Channel options

[leoqiuwr]

I hvae a live site on Joomla 3.10.12 (PHP version 7.4.33) and localhost site on Joomla 3.10.9, and try to update to J4.

Checking Components-Joomla! Update, it shows up: You are on the "Default" update channel, missing Pre-update Check.

Checking Components-Joomla! Update-Options, it shows up "This component has no configuration options.", missing Update Source and Update Channel drop-down menu.

I can find Joomla! Update Component Update Site and Joomla Core under Extensions: Update Sites, and they are enabled.

How can I fix the problem? Thanks.

[AMurray]

Before doing any more I would update PHP to 8.0 (Joomla 3.10 works on that) as 7.4.33 is obsolete and EOL.

The PHP being v 7.4.33 won't be likely the reason for the issue, but you're using a vulnerable version of PHP regardless.

Both 3.10.12 and 3.10.9 sites are showing the same problem? Can you update the 3.10.9 site to 3.10.12 normally?

[leoqiuwr]

Thanks A Murray.

Yes. Both 3.10.12 and 3.10.9 sites are showing the same problem. In fact, I have just updated the live site to 3.10.12.

Regarding PHP v 7.4.33, yes, it is obsolete and Joomla backend also reminded that, but it is the latest stable version provided by the hosting company. They don't recommend and provide new versions.

[leoqiuwr]

I checked the database via phpmyadmin, and found the update_categories table is empty.

[AMurray]

PHP 8 has been out for years and is stable. PHP 7.4.33 doesn't receive any updates and is less stable that 8.x

Time to find a new web host. My web host doesn't recommend using anything earlier than 8.x including 7.4.

I would expect Joomla 4, and even Joomla 5 (scheduled release is October 2023), will eventually not run in PHP 7.4.

[nacc]

I checked the database via phpmyadmin, and found the update_categories table is empty.

I do not have any tables in any of my Joomla websites named "_update_categories".

[Webdongle]

If the database is not minimum requirement then the Preupdate check will not show.

[leoqiuwr]

PHP 8 has been out for years and is stable. PHP 7.4.33 doesn't receive any updates and is less stable that 8.x

Time to find a new web host. My web host doesn't recommend using anything earlier than 8.x including 7.4.

I would expect Joomla 4, and even Joomla 5 (scheduled release is October 2023), will eventually not run in PHP 7.4.

I tried to manually update php to 8.2.9.
The problems are still the same, missing Pre-update Check under Joomla Update, missing Update Source and Update Channel drop-down menu under Joomla Update Options

[Webdongle]

If the database is not minimum requirement then the Preupdate check will not show.

[leoqiuwr]

If the database is not minimum requirement then the Preupdate check will not show.

Would you please share the minimum requirement for the database.
Thanks a lot.

[Webdongle]

https://downloads.joomla.org/technical-requirements

[AMurray]

Joomla 3.10 won't run on 8.2.x, you need 8.0.x

[leoqiuwr]

https://downloads.joomla.org/technical-requirements

Thank you Webdongle!
My Joomla website is currently running on:
PHP 8.2.9
MySQL 5.7.39
Apache 2.4.54

All seem to meet the technical requirements.

[leoqiuwr]

Joomla 3.10 won't run on 8.2.x, you need 8.0.x

Thank you A Murray.
Joomla 3.10.12 seems running well on PHP 8.2.9.
Anyway, I have changed to PHP 8.0.30.

But the problems are still the same.

In a summary, the website is now running on:
Joomla 3.10.12
PHP 8.0.30
MySQL 5.7.39
Apache 2.4.54

Problems: missing Pre-update Check under Joomla Update extension, and missing Update Source and Update Channel drop-down mena under Joomla Update: Options

[Webdongle]

Have you tried reinstall core files?

[leoqiuwr]

Have you tried reinstall core files?

Thanks Webdongle.

I tried Reinstall Joomla core files under Joomla Update component, and cleared Cache.
The problems are still the same.

[nacc]

Not a filesystem problem; not a PHP problem. The problem is in the database.

[Webdongle]

OK the what's left? Discover, database fix?

[leoqiuwr]

I have fixed the problems and updated to Joomla 4.3.4 at localhost sever with the following steps and solutions:

1. Have a new installation of Joomla 3.10.12 full package at the localhost server; Update Source/Update Channel/Pre-update Check show up under Joomla Update component.
2. Manage and compare extensions installed at the live website and localhost website (both running on Joomla 3.10.12, PhP 8.0.x), uninstall unused/unnecessary extensions (templates, packages, plugins,etc) at the live website, install used extensions at the localhost website.
3. Do a main database backup of the live website with Akeeba Backup
4. Import the backup database into the localhost database with PhpMyadmin
5. And finnally update to Joomla 4.3.4 through Joomla Update component.

Doing so, I was able to solve the problems on missing Update Source/Update Channel/Pre-update Check, and updated from Joomla 3.10.12 to Joomla 4.3.4.

There are some post-update warnings/notifications and new issues which may be shared later or in a seperate thread.