Hello, digital folks! 👋 I’m sharing this post because I work with Drupal and know how challenging it can be to navigate and understand its documentation, especially when it comes to updates.
This week, I was asked to update a Drupal-based site, but I didn’t have terminal access to use tools like Composer or Drush. If you’re in the same situation, here’s a simple guide to manually updating Drupal using only FTP.
Why Choose Manual Updates?
While you can update Drupal in a local environment with terminal access and then upload it to the server, this process can be slower and more resource-intensive. In my case, the quickest solution was to do it manually via FTP.
Steps to Manually Update Drupal
1. Backups First 🚨
Before making any changes, it’s crucial to create a full backup:
Database: Use phpMyAdmin or a similar tool to export it.
Site files: Download all the files from your server, especially the
sites/default/filesfolder.
2. Download the Latest Version of Drupal
Visit Drupal’s official page and download the latest compatible version.
Extract the files on your computer.
3. Connect to the Server Using FTP
Use an FTP client like FileZilla or WinSCP.
Navigate to the directory where your Drupal site is installed.
4. Replace the Correct Files
Here’s the crucial part:
Replace these files and folders:
All root files (including hidden ones like
.htaccess).The
coreandvendorfolders.
Do not replace:
The
sites/folder (it contains site-specific configurations, custom themes, and modules).Your custom profiles in
profiles/.Your
themes/andmodules/folders.
5. Clear the Server Cache
Some servers store cached files, so it’s a good practice to clear the cache. If your server control panel offers this option, use it.
6. Run the Update Script
Open your browser and navigate to
https://yoursite.com/update.php.Follow the instructions to apply any necessary database updates.
7. Verify and Exit Maintenance Mode
Test the site to ensure everything is functioning correctly.
If you enabled maintenance mode before the update, disable it now.
Common Errors and How to Avoid Them
Missing files error: Ensure all
.htaccessand.gitignorefiles were uploaded correctly.Module or theme issues: Make sure all modules and themes are updated and compatible with the new Drupal version.
Unupdated database: Never skip the
update.phpstep.
Final Advice
While manual updates may seem tedious, they’re a valuable option when Composer or Drush aren’t available. Follow these steps carefully, and you’ll have a secure and updated Drupal site.
I hope this post helps you! If you have any questions or suggestions, let me know in the comments. 🚀