Troubleshooting

The installer refuses the package

The installer names the reason:

• "ConfigPort needs Joomla 3.10 or later": update the site to Joomla 3.10 first.
• "ConfigPort needs PHP 7.4 or later": ask your host for a newer PHP version.
• "ConfigPort supports MySQL and MariaDB only": the site uses another database, such as PostgreSQL. ConfigPort cannot run there.

The upload says the file is too large

The upload form shows the largest file this site accepts. It is the smallest of 5 MB, the PHP settings upload_max_filesize and post_max_size, and about three quarters of the database setting max_allowed_packet, because the file is stored in the database as base64. Ask your host to raise the PHP or database setting, or export fewer items into each file.

"The file could not be stored for the preview" also points at max_allowed_packet. Ask your host whether the database accepts packets of the file's size.

The upload says the file starts with a byte order mark, or is not UTF-8

An editor added a byte order mark or changed the encoding when the file was saved. Save it as UTF-8 without BOM, or export it again. An export from ConfigPort has neither.

The preview lists problems and cannot import the file

The file is not a ConfigPort file, or a part of it is not valid: a broken structure, a newer schema version, too many items, or a value ConfigPort refuses. The preview names each problem and its place in the file. Export the file again from the source site. If you edited it by hand, check that it is still valid JSON.

An item is in "Not on this site"

This site has no matching extension, module type or template. Install the extension, then upload the file again. Template styles of a Joomla 3 template cannot be imported into Joomla 4 and later. See Importing older Joomla exports.

An item is in "Choose a target"

Several modules or template styles on this site match, or the only match is in the trash. Choose one in Import into and click Check again. See Choosing the target of a module or template style.

There is no Continue button

No item can be imported yet. Choose a target for each item that needs one, or tick Leave this item out, then click Check again. A file from a newer Joomla major version than the site has no Continue at all, because it is preview only.

"Some fields of this page did not reach the server"

PHP accepts a limited number of form fields (max_input_vars), and the preview of a large file has more. Use a smaller file, or ask your host to raise max_input_vars.

An item shows Conflict after the import

The settings of the item changed after the preview, for example because someone saved it, or the item cannot be imported as it is. The item keeps its settings. Upload the file again and check the new preview. See Applying an import.

"The uploaded file was used by another request or has expired"

An upload is kept for 24 hours and used by one import. Upload the file again.

An item shows Failed

Writing failed, or a plugin that acts when an extension is saved refused the change. The notes of the item give the reason, and the item keeps its settings. When a plugin refused, the other items are imported as usual. When writing failed, ConfigPort undid the other items of the import, which show as Undone. See Applying an import.

A restore says the settings changed after the import

Someone saved the item after the import. The item is not ticked. Tick Restore anyway to put back the settings from before the import over the current ones. See Reverting an import.

"The current settings of this ... cannot be read"

The settings stored on this site for that item are damaged. Open the item in its edit screen and save it once, then check the preview again.

The Export and Import buttons do not show on an edit screen

• Open the Plugins list (System → Manage → Plugins; Joomla 3: Extensions → Plugins), search for ConfigPort and check that the plugin System - ConfigPort Quick Actions is enabled.
• The buttons show on four screens only: the Options of a component, and the edit screens of plugins, modules and template styles.
• The user needs Access Administration Interface for ConfigPort, the matching ConfigPort permission, and the right to edit that item. See Permissions.

No entry in the User Actions Log

In the Plugins list, search for ConfigPort and check that the plugin Action Log - ConfigPort is enabled. Then check that ConfigPort is ticked in Events To Log, in the options of the User Actions Log.

Joomla does not offer the update

• Open System → Update → Extensions (Joomla 3: Extensions → Manage → Update) and click Check for Updates (Joomla 3: Find Updates).
• Check in System → Update Sites (Joomla 3: Extensions → Manage → Update Sites) that the ConfigPort update site is enabled.
• Joomla does not offer a version that needs a newer PHP than the site runs.