Helix Ultimate Fatal Error After Switching From Demo Template To Blank Helix
Anthony Cowburn
Just posting for reference:
Helix Ultimate: fatal error due to orphaned stub overrides after demo → blank template switch
Environment
Joomla 4/5
Helix Ultimate 2.x
Windows + IIS
PHP 8.3
Repro Steps
Fresh Joomla install
Install Helix Ultimate
Install Helix demo template (e.g. Estate)
Switch to shaper_helixultimate (blank)
Open Template Options
Actual Result Fatal PHP error, e.g.:
Failed opening required templates/shaper_helixultimate/html/layouts/joomla/system/message.php
Also observed:
templates/shaper_helixultimate/html/com_content/featured/default.php templates/shaper_helixultimate/html/layouts/chromes/sp_xhtml.php
Errors surface sequentially.
Expected Result Template Options loads.
Cause Demo templates install stub override files in templates/shaper_helixultimate/html/ which call HTMLOverride::loadTemplate() but have no target files. Switching to blank Helix leaves orphaned stubs → fatal error.
Workaround Delete stub overrides under templates/shaper_helixultimate/html/.
Notes Order-dependent. No user-created overrides. Likely demo installer / override lifecycle bug.
Ziaul Kabir
Accepted AnswerHello,
Thanks for reaching out to us. Could you please share temporary administrator access to your Joomla backend? You can provide the credentials securely in the hidden content section. Also, please take a full backup of your site before we make any changes.
Once I have access, I’ll investigate further and see what’s causing the issue. Let me know once you’ve shared the details!
Best regards,