When updating to Joomla 5, you may encounter a situation where your server does not meet the minimum requirements for MySQL or MariaDB versions. In such cases, it is possible to bypass these requirements and proceed with a manual update. This article describes the steps to achieve this.

This site can't be updated to Joomla ‎5.1.0

An update to Joomla ‎5.1.0 was found but your web server doesn't meet the minimum requirements.
Your MariaDB version "10.3.35-MariaDB" is lower than "10.4".

Preparing the Update Package

The first step is to manually download the update package for Joomla 5. Visit the official Joomla website, where you can find the download section. Select the version you wish to install and download the respective package to your local computer.

Initiating the Manual Update

After downloading the package, log in to the Joomla administrator interface. Navigate to the System section and select Update Extensions. On this page, scroll down to the bottom where you will find the Upload and Update button. Clicking this button will open the manual update page.

Performing the Update

On the manual update page, you will see an option to upload the downloaded update package. Choose the file you previously downloaded, and then click the button to upload and install. Joomla will now process the package and initiate the update process.

During this process, the MySQL or MariaDB version check is not performed, allowing you to bypass the standard system checks and proceed with the update even if the server does not meet the official minimum requirements. This method is useful if you need to quickly update the system and cannot or do not wish to update your MySQL or MariaDB version for some reason.

Although this method allows you to bypass certain system limitations, it is important to be aware that operating with database versions that are not officially supported may introduce additional risks and potential compatibility or security issues. It is recommended to upgrade to a supported database version as soon as possible to ensure optimal functionality and security of your Joomla website.