Quick answer:
To upgrade from Joomla 5 to Joomla 6, first update your site to Joomla 5.4 (the latest 5.4.x release), because Joomla does not support jumping to 6.x from anything lower. Then take a full backup, build a staging copy, confirm your extensions and template are Joomla 6 compatible, run the pre-update check, and upgrade through the Joomla Update component. A small site can often be finished in a few days. Sites with many extensions or custom code need more time for testing.
If you have read our guide to Joomla end of life, you already know that older Joomla versions no longer receive security fixes. The next question is how to actually move forward without breaking your website.
The good news is that upgrading from Joomla 5 to Joomla 6 is not a rebuild. Your content, menus, users and settings carry across. The risk sits in the details: PHP versions, extensions that have not been updated, and templates that rely on old code. This guide walks through the full process in the order we follow on client sites, with a testing checklist and a list of common problems.
Why upgrade to Joomla 6 now?
- Security. Software that no longer receives security fixes is the most common way small business websites get compromised. Running an unsupported version on a site that collects enquiries or customer details is a risk worth taking seriously.
- New features. Joomla 6.1, released in April 2026, added a visual workflow editor and privacy-friendly spam protection. We cover it in our Joomla 6.1 overview, and the next release is covered in our Joomla 6.2 preview.
- Extension support. Extension developers focus their updates on current Joomla versions. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to find compatible versions of the extensions you rely on.
- Smaller jumps are easier. Upgrading one major version is much simpler than catching up across several versions later.
First, check which Joomla version you are running
In your Joomla administrator, go to System → System Information and look at the Joomla version. Your starting point decides your path:
| Your current version | What to do |
|---|---|
|
Joomla 5.4 |
You are ready to begin the Joomla 6 process below |
|
Joomla 5.0 to 5.3 |
Update to Joomla 5.4 first, then continue |
|
Joomla 4.x |
Update to 4.4, then to 5.4, then to 6.x. Test between each stage |
|
Joomla 3.x |
Update to 3.10, then 4.4, then 5.4, then 6.x. For older or heavily customised sites, a clean migration to a fresh Joomla 6 install is often cleaner |
The 5.4 requirement matters. Joomla’s own release notes warn against updating directly from a version lower than 5.4, and say to update to 5.4 first and then to 6.x. If you are on Joomla 3 or 4, read our complete guide to Joomla migration in Australia before choosing between a staged update and a fresh build.
Step 1: Check your hosting and PHP version
Joomla 6 needs a newer PHP version than Joomla 5. Before you touch anything:
- Check the current system requirements on joomla.org for PHP, database and server software.
- Find out which PHP version your site runs on now. Most Australian hosts let you check and change this in cPanel or the hosting dashboard.
- Confirm your host offers the PHP version Joomla 6 needs. If it does not, plan a move to a host that does.
- Check that your MySQL or MariaDB version meets the requirements.
Changing PHP can itself break older extensions, so do this on your staging copy first (Step 4), not on the live site.
Step 2: Take a full backup (and store it off the server)
Never upgrade without a backup you have tested. You need both:
- A complete copy of all website files
- A complete export of the database
A backup extension such as Akeeba Backup makes this simple, because it packages files and database into one archive you can restore later. Download the archive and keep a copy somewhere other than the web server, for example cloud storage or your own computer. If your host also provides automatic backups, note the date of the most recent one as an extra safety net.
Step 3: Audit your extensions and template
This is the step that decides whether the upgrade is smooth or painful. Most failed upgrades come from one incompatible extension or an outdated template, not from Joomla itself.
- Go to System → Manage → Extensions and list everything installed: components, modules, plugins and your template.
- Remove anything unused. Every extension you delete is one less thing to test.
- For each remaining extension, check the developer’s website or the Joomla Extensions Directory for a version that supports Joomla 6.
- Check your template. Commercial templates and frameworks often need a paid update, and custom templates may need developer time.
- Flag any extension that has not been updated in a long time. If the developer has gone quiet, plan a replacement.
Joomla 6 removes more deprecated code than earlier releases, so extensions and templates written years ago may stop working. Use this simple triage:
| Extension status | Action |
|---|---|
|
Joomla 6 compatible version available |
Update it on staging |
|
Update promised but not released |
Wait, or plan a replacement |
|
Abandoned or no longer maintained |
Replace it before upgrading |
|
Custom-built for your site |
Have a developer review and test it |
Step 4: Build a staging copy of your site
A staging site is a private duplicate where you can upgrade and test without risk. Create it using your backup archive on a separate subdomain (for example staging.yourwebsite.com.au) or through your host’s staging tool. Then:
- Block search engines from the staging site (use a noindex setting or password protection).
- Disable outgoing emails or use a test mailbox, so customers do not receive test messages.
- If your site takes payments, switch payment extensions to test mode.
Do every remaining step on staging first. Only repeat the process on the live site once staging passes all your tests.
Step 5: Update Joomla 5 to the latest 5.4 release and update extensions
On staging:
- Go to System → Update → Joomla and update to the latest Joomla 5.4.x release.
- Go to System → Update → Extensions and install every available update.
- Clear the cache (System → Clear Cache) and browse the site and administrator for errors.
If something breaks here, fix it now. You do not want to find problems for the first time after a major version jump.
Step 6: Run the pre-update check
When a major version is available, the Joomla Update page shows a pre-update check. It reports on your PHP version, database version, required PHP extensions and the compatibility status of your installed extensions. Depending on your settings, the Joomla 6 upgrade may appear under the Joomla Next update channel, which you can choose in the Joomla Update options. Menu labels vary slightly between versions.
Treat any red warning as a blocker, and look into any yellow warning before you continue. Do not rely on the check alone, because it can only report what extension developers have declared.
Step 7: Upgrade to Joomla 6 on staging
Run the update from the Joomla Update page. Large sites may need a few minutes, so do not close the browser while it runs. When it finishes:
- Clear the cache again.
- Check the administrator dashboard, then the front end, for PHP errors or missing modules.
- Turn on error reporting temporarily, or check the server error log, if you see a blank page.
Step 8: Test everything
Use this checklist before approving the upgrade:
- Home page, key landing pages and a sample of articles load correctly
- Menus, links and search-friendly (SEF) URLs work, with no unexpected 404 errors
- Contact and enquiry forms submit and the notification email arrives
- Logins, registration and password reset work for each user group
- Images, galleries, sliders and embedded videos display
- Mobile layout looks correct on phone and tablet
- Any e-commerce, booking or membership features complete a full test transaction
- Custom fields, multilingual content and third-party integrations still work
- Page speed has not dropped (see our Joomla speed guide)
- Accessibility basics still pass (see our Joomla accessibility guide)
- Analytics, tracking codes and cookie notices are still in place
Step 9: Go live
Once staging passes, repeat the process on the live site:
- Choose a quiet period. For most Australian businesses that means late evening or early morning AEST, or a weekend.
- Put the site in maintenance mode and take a fresh full backup.
- Update to Joomla 5.4, update extensions, then upgrade to Joomla 6, in the same order you used on staging.
- Clear caches, switch off maintenance mode and run through your key tests again.
- Check Google Search Console over the next two weeks for new crawl errors or a sudden drop in indexed pages.
Keep your pre-upgrade backup for at least a month so you can roll back if a problem appears later.
Common Joomla 6 upgrade problems and how to fix them
| Problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
|
Blank white page after upgrade |
An incompatible extension or template causing a PHP error |
Check the server error log, then disable the extension or switch to the default template |
|
Layout looks broken |
Template or framework not Joomla 6 ready |
Update the template, or have a developer adapt it |
|
Forms stop sending email |
Mail settings or an outdated form extension |
Check Global Configuration mail settings and update the form extension |
|
Links return 404 errors |
Rewrite rules missing or changed |
Confirm the .htaccess file is in place and the URL rewriting setting is correct |
|
Extension shows as incompatible |
Developer has not released a Joomla 6 version |
Wait for an update or replace the extension |
|
Admin area is slow |
Cache not cleared or database needs maintenance |
Clear cache and check the database in System → Maintenance |
How long does a Joomla 5 to 6 upgrade take?
These are typical ranges. Real timing depends on your extensions, your template and how thoroughly you test.
| Site type | Typical timeframe |
|---|---|
|
Small brochure site, few extensions, standard template |
1 to 3 days |
|
Business site with several extensions and forms |
1 to 2 weeks |
|
Large or custom site, e-commerce, multilingual or custom code |
3 to 6 weeks or more |
For pricing, our Joomla migration cost breakdown explains what drives the total.
Should you upgrade yourself or hire a professional?
A DIY upgrade is realistic if your site is small, uses a standard template and only a few well-maintained extensions, and you are comfortable with backups, staging and the Joomla administrator.
Consider professional help if:
- Your site relies on custom extensions or a heavily customised template
- You take payments or bookings online
- You are upgrading from Joomla 3 or 4, where several stages or a clean rebuild are needed
- Downtime would cost you leads or sales
- You do not have a current, tested backup
After the upgrade, keep the site healthy with regular updates and monitoring. Our Joomla maintenance and security tips cover what to do each month.
Frequently asked questions
Can I upgrade straight from Joomla 4 to Joomla 6?
No. Update to Joomla 4.4 first, then to Joomla 5.4, then to Joomla 6, and test at each stage. If your site is old or heavily customised, a clean migration can be quicker and safer.
Will my content and menus survive the upgrade?
Yes. Articles, categories, menus, users and settings carry across. The risk is in extensions and templates, not core content.
Will the upgrade affect my SEO?
A correctly done upgrade should not change your URLs, so rankings should stay stable. Test your SEF URLs, redirects, metadata and sitemap on staging, then monitor Google Search Console after launch.
What if one of my extensions is not compatible with Joomla 6?
Contact the developer to ask about their timeline, find a maintained alternative, or have a developer rebuild the feature. Do not upgrade the live site until every business-critical extension works on staging.
Do I need to wait for Joomla 6.2?
Not necessarily. Joomla 6.2 was scheduled for general release on or around 13 October 2026. If you are starting now, upgrade to the latest stable Joomla 6 release available to you, and follow the same steps.
How do I roll back if something goes wrong?
Restore the backup you took before the upgrade, both files and database. This is why a tested, off-server backup is the most important step in the whole process.
Need help upgrading to Joomla 6?
Joomla Professionals upgrades and migrates Joomla websites for Australian businesses, including extension audits, staging, testing and a safe go-live. Learn about our Joomla migration and upgrade service, our maintenance and support plans, or contact us or call 1300 72 50 90 for a free upgrade assessment.