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How to Install and Manage Extensions in Joomla

Extensions add features to Joomla: forms, galleries, backups, SEO tools, and more. Joomla has a few types (components, modules, plugins, templates, and languages), but you install and manage them all from the same screens. These steps are for Joomla 5 and 6.

Before you install anything

  • Check whether you really need it. Joomla does a lot out of the box, like custom fields, tags, workflows, and smart search.
  • Check the listing in the Joomla Extensions Directory (JED) or the developer's site: Joomla 5/6 compatibility, last update date, reviews, and support.
  • Only download from trusted places. Never use "free" copies of paid extensions. They often contain malware.
  • Back up first. See Website Backups: What to Back Up, How Often, and How Restores Work.

Install an extension

  1. Log in at yoursite.com/administrator.
  2. Go to System, then in the Install panel click Extensions.
  3. Pick a tab:
    • Upload Package File: drag in the zip file you downloaded.
    • Install from URL: paste a download link from the developer.
    • Install from Folder: for files already on the server (mostly for developers).
    • Install from Web, if it's turned on, lets you browse the JED from inside Joomla.
  4. Joomla shows a message when the install works.
  5. Set up the extension. Components appear under Components in the menu. Modules and plugins may need to be published (enabled) before they do anything.

If it's a paid extension, enter your download key so it can get updates. Many extensions ask for it in their options, and you can also add it under System > Update > Update Sites.

Update extensions

  1. Back up your site.
  2. Go to System, then in the Update panel click Extensions.
  3. Click Check for Updates.
  4. Tick a few updates and click Update.
  5. Test your site, then do the next few.

Rather not deal with extension updates yourself? We can handle them on demand at reasonable hourly rates, so you only pay for what you need.

For the full process, including core updates, see How to Update Joomla Safely (Back Up First).

Enable or disable an extension

  1. Go to System, then in the Manage panel click Extensions.
  2. Search for the extension or filter by type.
  3. Click the status icon to enable or disable it.

Disabling is a good first step when you think an extension is causing a problem. Some core extensions are protected and can't be disabled or uninstalled.

Uninstall an extension

  1. Go to System > Manage > Extensions.
  2. Tick the extension.
  3. Click Uninstall and confirm.

Some extensions come as a package with several parts. Uninstall the package (type "Package") to remove everything at once. Uninstalling may delete the extension's data, so back up first.

If something breaks

  • Disable the extension you just installed or updated.
  • If you can't get into the administrator, restore your backup or ask your web team for help.
  • Open a ticket if you're a client. See How to Get Support From 3by400.

Check for problems now and then

  • System > Manage > Extensions with the Discover and Database screens can spot leftover files or database issues after updates.
  • System > Update > Update Sites shows where updates come from. If an update site is disabled, that extension won't get updates.
  • Remove extensions you no longer use.

Related

Prefer we handle it?

If you'd rather spend your time running your business, our boutique hosting, available to our clients, including sites moved over from another host, takes a proactive approach to security and monitoring, with nightly backups, 24/7 outage monitoring, and ongoing core CMS updates.

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