How to Install an Extension Using Joomla Discover
Use Discover for the right situation
Joomla Discover is for extension files already placed in Joomla's extension directories but not installed through the normal package process. It is useful when uncompressed files were deliberately transferred to the server, including extensions too large for normal web upload.
Back up and place the files correctly
Take a current backup and use staging when possible. Upload the uncompressed files to the directory required by the extension type and developer. Joomla's current help gives a site template as an example: create its directory beneath /templates and place the template files there.
Open Discover
In Joomla Administrator go to System → Install → Discover. Click Discover in the toolbar. Joomla searches extension directories for compatible extensions whose files are present but which are not already installed.
Review the result
Confirm the discovered item's name, type, version, location, author, and plugin folder where applicable. If it does not appear, recheck the destination, manifest, compatibility, and whether Joomla already has an installed record for it.
Install the item
Select the checkbox beside the correct extension and click Install. Discovering and installing are separate actions: Discover identifies unregistered files; Install completes the Joomla installation/registration step.
Verify installation
Open System → Manage → Extensions and confirm the extension record and version. Depending on extension type, you may still need to enable a plugin or module or complete product-specific configuration.
Know Discover's limits
Discover does not repair a malformed or incompatible extension. If Install fails after discovery, troubleshoot the exact manifest, filesystem, database, or installer-script error rather than repeatedly rescanning.
Need More Help with Joomla?
Still having trouble? Open a support ticket with QuantaCade Support and we'll be happy to help where we can.
Support priority is given to QuantaCade products, services, and customers. However, we're also happy to assist fellow Joomla users with general Joomla questions and troubleshooting when possible.
QuantaCade is an independent Joomla extension developer and is not official Joomla support. Some issues involving third-party extensions, hosting environments, server configurations, or other systems outside our development control may be beyond what we're able to resolve.