Joomla 5 Server Requirements: PHP, Database and Web Server Versions

Joomla 5 has lower minimum platform requirements than Joomla 6, but the exact PHP, database, and web-server versions still matter when installing, restoring, or maintaining a Joomla 5 site. This guide uses the Joomla 5.4 requirements published by the Joomla Project.

Joomla 5.x requirements

The Joomla 5.4 technical requirements list a recommended and minimum version for each supported platform component.

The Joomla manual labels Joomla 5.4 as the legacy line. If you are maintaining a Joomla 5 site because of extension, template, or migration constraints, stay inside these requirements while you plan the site's longer-term upgrade path.

Required PHP modules

Joomla 5 requires:

• json
• simplexml
• dom
• zlib
• gd
• One suitable database driver: mysqlnd, pdo_mysql, or pdo_pgsql

The Joomla Project recommends a PHP memory limit of at least 256 MB.

SEO URL modules

On Apache, mod_rewrite is optional for the CMS but is normally required if you enable URL rewriting for Joomla's SEO-friendly URLs. Microsoft IIS installations typically use the URL Rewrite Module for the equivalent function.

Check the PHP version used by the website

With shell access, this shows the CLI PHP version:

php -v

Do not assume that result is automatically the website's PHP version. Shared hosts and managed servers can run one PHP version in the shell and another through Apache, PHP-FPM, or the hosting control panel. Verify the version assigned to the actual Joomla site.

Check the database version

For MySQL or MariaDB, run the read-only query:

SELECT VERSION();

For PostgreSQL:

SHOW server_version;

Compare the result with the table above and confirm the database engine itself, not just a client-library version.

Check PHP modules and memory

From the command line, php -m lists CLI PHP modules:

php -m

The effective memory limit can be checked with:

php -r 'echo ini_get("memory_limit"), PHP_EOL;'

Those commands describe the CLI environment. If Joomla runs through a different PHP SAPI or PHP-FPM pool, confirm the web environment in the hosting panel or Joomla's System Information after installation.

Extension compatibility still matters

Meeting Joomla's core requirements does not prove every installed extension or template supports the same PHP/database combination. Before changing PHP or moving a Joomla 5 site to another server, verify the compatibility of all critical third-party software and test the change on a staging copy or verified backup.

If your server is below the minimum

1. Do not edit Joomla core files to bypass the requirements check.
2. Upgrade the hosting environment or migrate to a compatible server.
3. Take a complete backup before changing PHP or database versions on an existing site.
4. Test the site after the platform change, including administrator login, frontend pages, extension functions, email, scheduled jobs, and update checks.

Verify the environment

Before installing or restoring Joomla 5, confirm the web PHP version, database engine and version, web server, required PHP modules, and effective PHP memory limit. Keep that record with the site's maintenance notes so a future hosting change does not silently move the site onto an incompatible platform.

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.

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