Upgrading from PHP 7.4 to 8.3

[buksida]

We've just upgraded our forum to the latest version 3.3.11 from version 3.2.1 and all is working fine.

The hosting company has also upgraded our server OS and installed PHP 8.3 for us.

However, the board is currently running on PHP 7.4. When I try and switch it to version 8.0 or above I get a 500 server error.

Any ideas what I need to do to get the board running on the latest PHP version, or at least version 8.0?

Thx.

[SpIdErPiGgY]

Look at the server error logs.
Also see that all extentions are up-to-date.

[ssl]

Very often in this PHP version upgrade configuration, error 500 comes from an outdated extension.

[buksida]

Ok, thanks, the phpBB error log in the ACP shows nothing recent.

The server error log in cPanel shows this which means very little to me ...

Code: Select all

[Sun Dec 17 18:21:00.209520 2023] [access_compat:error] [pid 964209:tid 23293671208704] [client 220.243.191.67:0] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/forum/public_html/403.shtml
[Sun Dec 17 18:21:00.209362 2023] [access_compat:error] [pid 964209:tid 23293671208704] [client 220.243.191.67:0] AH01797: client denied by server configuration: /home/forum/public_html/download/file.php

[buksida]

I checked all extensions, one was not up to date and had no recent updates so disabled it and tried again - same problem, 500 server error. All other extensions are their latest versions.

[janus_zonstraal]

Try to disable all the extensions and test again.

[buksida]

Ok, did that, eliminated them all but one called 'Recent Topics' which displays the latest active topics above the main forums.

Its really handy and don't think we can do without it so will have to remain on PHP 7.4 until we can find an alternative (unless you guys know of one).

Thanks again, good to know the root cause of it.

[janus_zonstraal]

See: https://www.phpbb.com/customise/db/exte ... pic/227101
or:
https://www.phpbb.com/customise/db/exte ... pic/245440

[buksida]

Struggling a bit with this.

I've tried to upgrade the recent topics extension but am getting nowhere.

I've disabled the old one, deleted the folder, uploaded the new one, but in the ACP extension list it still shows the old one. Cleared the cache and it makes no difference, all it shows is version 2.2.13 which isnt compatible with PHP 8. Switching PHP still crashes the site, even with the new files uploaded.

Any ideas?

[Mick]

Did you delete the data after you disabled the extension? To receive extension support please visit our Extensions Database and post in the specific extension's designated support area. The link to the support area for each released extension is also available in the first post of each released extension listed in the [3.3.x] Extension Database Releases forum. For extensions still in development (not recommended for a live board) support is in that extension's topic in the Extensions in Development forum.

[warmweer]

Also note:
Release highlights:3.3.11

Notable Improvements: Improved support for PHP 8.2: PHPBB3-17097 PHPBB3-17142
I wouldn't switch to PHP 8.3 as yet

[thecoalman]

As far as the original error goes try deleting the .htaccess file in the files directory. Upload the one from the download package.

If you are still in the same boat download the current .htaccess file in the main directory as backup and delete it from the server. Upload the one from the download package.

[plassmdn]

Have you tried checking for php.ini depreciated settings that have been removed by 8.x?

I ran into a 500 error when upgrading from 7.4.33 to 8.3.0 and I had one setting, "track_errors" set to "On".

Try removing the setting or set it to "Off" and it might start to work for you.

It was removed in 8.0
https://www.php.net/manual/en/errorfunc ... ration.php

If that doesn't work, try temporarily disabling all PHP.ini settings and see if the 500 error goes away and track down the rogue setting from there.

Hope that helps!

[robboZ]

Just for the record.
My installation of phpBB (now 3.3.11) runs rock solid on php 8.2 since 7.2023.
Now, just out of curiosity, I bumped php version to 8.3 and everything seems to work quite stable.
And I use 'Recent Topics' extension (v 2.2.15), so this should not be a problem.

[ssl]

The only problem encountered when testing phpBB 3.3.11 and PHP 8.3.3 is a blank page when trying to modify the user account settings in the UCP

Then not all extensions support version 8 of PHP