PHP Configuration & Joomla versions

Please ensure that your website meets the Minimum Requirement before installing or updating SP Page Builder Pro 6.x or upgrading Joomla itself.   The SPPB extension is specifically built for the latest Joomla CMS versions to ensure optimal performance and security. Please do not install SPPB 5.5.x on Joomla 3.10 sites that are highly outdated. SP Page Builder 5.7.2 or older versions will not function properly within Joomla 6.

• Joomla 4.4+, Joomla 5.x (recommended), Joomla 6.0.x.
• PHP Version:  PHP 8.2, PHP 8.3, or PHP 8.4
  
• PHP: memory_limit: 256M or 512M or higher
• PHP: post_max_size: 128M or higher
• PHP: upload_max_filesize: 10M, 25M or more (but don't set unlimited value "-1")
• PHP: max_execution_time: 300 (but more is suggested)
• PHP: max_input_time: 180 (or you can set it to "-1" for unlimited value)
• Ability to create tables in your database
• SSL - enabled HTTPS for a used domain or subdomain. For localhost installation, you can ignore that.
• Hosting (Server) - Fast CGI mode or FRN mod.
• PHP settings: allow_url_fopen or cURL must be enabled (On).
  Needed for Joomla Article Integration.
• PHP: [mbstring = enabled]
• PHP: [fileinfo = enabled]
• PHP Extensions: GD Library
• PHP Extensions: CURL Library
• Support for mb_* functions in PHP to use multibyte strings
• PHP file_get_contents() function must be available/unlocked.

In Joomla, you can check the used PHP values from the System Information section (admin area).

You should be able to set all needed settings from cPanel (Hosting Panel). If you are afraid of making those changes or don't know where to look, please ask hosting support for help. After making these changes, remember to restart your web server or PHP process so the new settings take effect. Changes should be visible in Joomla after 60 seconds, sometimes a little longer. The website may stop working (error message) during the server refresh time.

If your Joomla site uses the JCE editor, make sure you have a new version installed. We suggest keeping it no lower than v2.9.8x, also because of security issues.  Check the JCE version manually in Extensions Manager and update the component (if necessary) using a package from the joomlacontenteditor.net website.  With all older JCE versions, you may get error 500 (Blank Page or Error Message) in the pages list and page editor view. If you don't need JCE, uninstall it and use the default TinyMCE instead.

To improve Joomla's performance (front and back-end) even more: 

• Enable GZIP compression in Joomla (Global Configuration) and cPanel settings.
• Rename the file htaccess.txt to .htaccess (please use the current file from the root folder).
• Set the PHP 8.3 version, but check if your template and all used extensions support it.
• Disable the "Shortcut" plugin from Joomla Admin if you don't use it.

If in SPPB you want to upload files bigger than 10MB, change the settings in:

1. cPanel for PHP: upload_max_filesize - set to 25M or higher.
   
2. Joomla Admin: Content > Media > Options > Maximum Size (in MB) set 20 (or more) > Save

Database requirements

Joomla 4.x and 5.x support various database systems. The recommended and minimum versions are as follows:

Using a supported version ensures better performance, security, and compatibility with Joomla and the SP Page Builder component. While CMS and our extension are designed to run on a variety of hosting environments, using the recommended database versions and settings can help improve performance and scalability, especially for larger sites.

What is NOT supported anymore

With SPPB version 5.x, we have officially discontinued support for Joomla 3 and fully embraced the advanced methodologies of Joomla 4 and Joomla 5 versions. Support for SP Page Builder 3.8.10 and all older versions ended! The last update was in 2023 and won't be anymore. The SPPB 3.8.x version is compatible with Joomla 3.10 and Joomla 4.4 only. Version 3.8.x will not fully work with PHP 8.2+, for example, displaying "PHP Deprecated" messages. And in Joomla 5.x, you won't be able to edit text addons or edit the content of SPPB Modules anymore.

Please note that the latest SP Page Builder 5.7.x requires at least Joomla 4.4.x. If, for some reason, you are unable to upgrade Joomla, we recommend using or downgrading to SP Page Builder 5.4.6, which is still fully compatible with your current Joomla 3.10 version. 

Just a heads-up: Joomla 3.10 reached its end of life and is no longer supported since August 2023. We recommend backing up your site first, then going ahead with the upgrade and updates to stay secure and up to date. If your site template uses additional addons or modules, contact their developers to ensure they work with SPPB 5.5x.

We don't support SP Page Builder 4.x anymore. This was only an interim version between SPPB 3.x and SPPB 5.x. If you still have it (even as preinstalled), we ask you to update the component to the latest 5.x version. If you bought SP Page Builder and your JoomShaper Membership is still active, your License Key can also be used in the SPPB 5.x settings/options. 

Yes, you should upgrade the SP Page Builder component from the old version 3.x or 4.x to the latest 5.x. version.

Support for PHP 7.x has been discontinued. If you are still running PHP 7.x, you MUST upgrade PHP before installing SP Page Builder 5.x Pro/Lite. 

I cannot load Page templates or Sections Library, or use the front-end editor

• Your server may have set too sensitive security level settings from its firewall, or
• PHP file_get_contents() function has been disabled/locked
  - in that case, please contact hosting support.

Check settings below:

1. Turn on the allow_url_fopen from your hosting
2. Check the console error using the Code Inspector from your browser
3. Rocket loader or mod_security may block the resource loading.
   That's why: Turn off the Rocket loader, if you use the SSL certificate.
   Rocket loader contains inside the Cloudflare SSL Certificate.
4. Turn off (disable) mod_security from cPanel (hosting settings).
5. Use FTP tool (or File Manager) and check if the com_sppagebuilder folder exists or not. If it exist, delete (or rename) the folder: templates/your_template/html/com_sppagebuilder

Browsers Requirements

We suggest using the latest version of Safari, Google Chrome, Opera, Firefox, Firefox Developer, Vivaldi, Tor, or Brave browser.

• Internet Explorer 10 is NOT supported in SPPB.
• Support for IE11 is limited in certain areas.