How To Update a phpBB Forum: Introduction

Updating a phpBB forum is an important task to ensure that your forum remains secure, stable, and up-to-date with the latest features. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to properly update your phpBB forum:

How To Update a phpBB Forum: The 10 Easy Steps:

1. Backup Your Forum

Database Backup: Use phpMyAdmin or another database management tool to create a full backup of your phpBB database.
File Backup: Use an FTP client or your hosting control panel to download a copy of all your phpBB files, including the config.php file, extensions, styles, and any other custom files.
Hosting Provider: If you have Softaculous or Direct Admin, back up your installation there because if you make a mistake, you can be back online in seconds to try again.

2. Check for Custom Modifications

If you’ve made any custom modifications (mods) to your phpBB files, make a note of them. Indeed, you may need to reapply these modifications after the update.
Also, if you use extensions, ensure they are compatible with the new phpBB version.

3. Download the Latest Version

Visit the phpBB official website and download the latest version of phpBB.
You can choose either a “Full Package” or an “Automatic Update package.”
- Full Package: Suitable if you have no custom modifications (always the best option).
- Automatic Update Package: Best if you have custom modifications.

4. Disable the Forum

Log in to your phpBB Admin Control Panel (ACP).
Go to the “General” tab.
Set the “Board disable” option to “Yes” to prevent users from accessing the forum during the update. You should also use the default theme while updating. Then, if you have a custom theme, update that as well and reactivate after updating the core files.

5a. Update Using the Full Package (Recommended)

When transferring your files via FTP, ensure that the client is in binary mode. In FileZilla, go to edit, settings, transfers and FTP: File Types. Then untick the box next to “Treat files without extension as ASCII file.”

Delete the following from the full phpBB package:

The config.php file
The files/ directory
The images/ directory
The store/ directory

In your FTP client (we recommend FileZilla), or your file manager on your hosting account, delete the following files:

The config.php file
The ext/ directory
The files/ directory
The images/ directory
The store/ directory
The styles/ directory

Then, upload the phpBB package to the root directory using your FTP client. However, if it tells you a file already exists, just merge or overwrite directories; choose to merge if possible.

Once all your files are uploaded, follow the “Run the update script” below.

5b. Update Using the Automatic Update Package

Upload Files: Upload the contents of the automatic update package to your forum’s root directory. This will include directories like install/, docs/, and vendor/

For 5a and 5b: Run the Update Script:

Open your web browser and navigate to http://yourdomain.com/phpBB/install/.
Choose the “Update” tab.
The updater will compare your existing files with the new files and provide a list of changes.
Review any conflicts and decide whether to merge changes or overwrite files.

Complete the Update: Follow the instructions to complete the update process. The updater will handle the database update automatically.

6. Check for Conflicts and Reapply Custom Mods

After the update, if you have any custom modifications, review the updated files for any conflicts and reapply your changes if necessary.

7. Delete the `Install/` Directory

For security reasons, delete the install/ directory after the update is complete. This will re-enable your forum.

8. Test Your Forum

Re-enable the forum by setting “Board disable” to “No” in the ACP.
Test your forum to ensure everything is working correctly, including extensions and custom styles.

9. Update Extensions and Styles

Ensure that all installed extensions are up-to-date and compatible with the new version of phpBB.
If you use custom styles, you may need to update them to be compatible with the new version.
Of course, if you have deactivated your custom ones, reactivate them after you check for an updated version.
While you are at the back end of the forum, go to your extensions page and click on the button “re-check all versions” to see if they need an update.

10. Monitor the Forum

After the update, monitor your forum closely for any issues. But if any problems arise, refer to the phpBB support forums or our forum for assistance.

How To Update a phpBB Forum: In Conclusion

By following the 10 easy steps above, you can safely and effectively update your phpBB forum. Once you join us, we will update your forum software for you. You can also ask for help in the BB Archive forum.

Of course, these instructions look daunting. Indeed, a novice may feel nervous and make a mistake. However, this is where your back up comes in handy. Thus, if you make a mistake, you can keep reinstalling the backup until you get it right.