Joomla! Documentation™

This is the recommend method of updating a Joomla CMS website.

Besides the recommended method, it is the easiest method. Sometimes this is referred to as a One click update.

This method is suitable for the following

• All Joomla CMS 2.5.x to 2.5.x updates (maintenance update)
• All Joomla CMS 1.7.x to 2.5.x updates (minor version update)

Not suitable for

• Joomla CMS 1.6 to 2.5.x see the {link coming soon}.
• Joomla CMS 1.5 to 2.5.x read Planning Migration - Joomla 1.5 to 3. (Joomla CMS 2.5 has reached End of Support (EOS).)
• Joomla CMS 1.0 to 2.5.x see {link coming soon}.

Step 1

Make sure you have a current backup of your site

In many cases, your host will make periodic site backups.

Step 2a

Find and install updates

1. If your site is prior to 2.5.4, see Step 2b instead
2. In the back end of your Joomla site, navigate to Components → Joomla Update.
3. Click on Install the Update

   

4. IMPORTANT: This process will take a few minutes. Wait until the process completes and it tells you that you are already on the current release, similar to the screen shown below.

   

5. Congratulations! At this point, your site is updated.

Important: Clear your browser cache and check that your site is working correctly. See below Checking Your Site

Step 2b

Find and install updates (Prior to updating 2.5.4)

1. In the back end of your Joomla site, navigate to Extensions → Extension Manager and open the Update tab.
2. Click on the Purge Cache icon to clear out the cache.
3. Click on the Find Updates icon in the toolbar. If there is an available update, the screen will list it, similar to the screen shown below.

   

   Note that available upgrades for extensions used in the site will also show in the list.
4. Select the update (using the checkbox) and click on the Update icon in the toolbar.
5. IMPORTANT: This process will take a few minutes. Wait until the process completes and the success message shows, similar to the screen shown below.

   

6. Congratulations! At this point, your site is updated.

Important: Clear your browser cache and check that your site is working correctly. See below Checking Your Site