XF 2.3 [GUIDE] Upgrading from XenForo 2.2 to XenForo 2.3 Guide

CedricV

CedricV

Well-known member
Because a lot of people are running into issues which are probably often related to add-ons, I thought about posting a simple guide how I successfully upgraded from 2.2 to 2.3.

Upgrading your XenForo installation from version 2.2 to 2.3 involves some careful planning and execution. If you're just gonna hit the upgrade button without any research, you're bound to run into issues. This guide will walk you through the entire process to ensure a smooth transition.

Preparation​

!Test on a Duplicate Forum First!

Create a Duplicate: Set up a test version of your forum to apply all changes before implementing them on your live site. This will help you identify any potential issues without affecting your live forum.

  1. Review Third-Party Add-ons and Themes:​

    • Check Compatibility: Visit the XenForo community and check if your third-party add-ons and themes are compatible with XenForo 2.3.
    • Decide on Sacrifices: Be prepared to disable or remove any add-ons or themes that are not yet compatible. Some add-ons may still work even if not officially updated, but this is not guaranteed.
  2. Backup Your Forum:
    • Full Backup: Ensure you have a complete backup of your XenForo files and database. This is crucial to prevent data loss in case something goes wrong during the upgrade.

Upgrade Process​

  1. Disable Add-ons and Switch to Default Theme:
    • Admin CP: Log in to your Admin Control Panel (ACP).
    • Disable Add-ons: Navigate to the add-ons section and disable all third-party add-ons.
    • Default Theme: Set the default XenForo theme as the active theme to avoid any conflicts during the upgrade.
  2. Run the Upgrade:
    • Upgrade Button: In the ACP, click the upgrade button to start the process.
    • Follow Prompts: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the upgrade to XenForo 2.3.
  3. Post-Upgrade Steps:
    • Update Add-ons: Go back to the ACP and update all third-party add-ons to their 2.3 versions. This will automatically re-enable them if they are compatible.
    • Enable Official Add-ons: RM, MG, etc. will automatically prompt an upgrade button once they are enabled. You can safely click to upgrade.
    • Install New Themes: If you have updated versions of your themes, upload them now and set the desired theme as the default.
  4. Test and Troubleshoot:
    • Enable Add-ons One by One: Gradually enable your remaining add-ons, testing each one for functionality and checking for server errors.
    • Report Issues: If you encounter any errors, keep the problematic add-ons disabled and report bugs to the XenForo community.

New Features in XenForo 2.3​

XenForo 2.3 introduces several exciting new features:
  • Passwordless Logins: Enhanced security with support for passkeys.
  • Payment Enhancements: Integration with Stripe Checkout and PayPal's REST API.
  • Content Activity Log: Track metrics like view counts and reactions for better content management.
  • OAuth2 Support: Single sign-on (SSO) capabilities with OAuth2 providers. (Wordpress - XenForo bridge being the most desired one.)
  • Content Embedding: Improved sharing and embedding of forum content across various platforms.
  • Webhooks: Automate workflows with event-triggered actions.
  • Image Optimization: Enhanced resizing and support for WebP format for faster loading times.
 
Last edited:
Sort by date Sort by votes
ENF said:
I guess it's an unpopular opinion these days to do all this on a test instance. Why worry about taking down your main site until you can successfully upgrade a test instance that's a mirror of your live production site? Guide above is good, but I'd do all this on a copy or in a test environment.
Click to expand...
Sorry, I didn't include that I did indeed do this on a duplicated test forum first.

Edited: Have edited the guide. :)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Well, I'm one of those who just click the Update button. Everything crashed. No access to my forums at all. The guy I use to help me is out until the 19th. What could've happened. I didn't know I had to have some mirror site to test the upgrade on.
Can anyone provide help?
Thanks!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
BLatt said:
Well, I'm one of those who just click the Update button. Everything crashed. No access to my forums at all. The guy I use to help me is out until the 19th. What could've happened. I didn't know I had to have some mirror site to test the upgrade on.
Can anyone provide help?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Add this line to your config.php file in /src and go into your admin panel and disable all add-ons and go to your XF default style. Once you do this then change the below line to 'true'. Then restart the upgrade. Hopefully it will continue.

$config['enableListeners'] = false
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I don't understand, could you give me an example?

OAuth2 Support: Single sign-on (SSO) capabilities with OAuth2 providers. (Wordpress - XenForo bridge being the most desired one.)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
My guy, Ken Payne, bailed me out. He spotted that I missed the semi colon in $config['enableListeners'] = false

So the site is up again. Now I just need to disable or upgrade add-on's I believe. I really appreciate the help guys.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

CedricV
Upgrading from XenForo 2.2 to XenForo 2.3 Guide
Replies
7
Views
259
CedricV
CedricV
Amin Sabet
  • Question Question
XF 2.1 Members reporting performance issues on Android after upgrading from Xenforo 1.5x to Xenforo 2.1x
Replies
5
Views
1K
imno007
imno007
xydrine
  • Question Question
XF 2.1 Upgrading from XenForo 2.0 to 2.1 - Potential Issues...
Replies
3
Views
949
xydrine
xydrine
P
  • Question Question
XF 1.2 How to upgrade to XenForo 1.2 - important information and actions to be taken
3 4 5
Replies
86
Views
36K
Parsnip
P
K
Guide for upgrading from SMF 1.1.15 to Xenforo (1.1.0 beta 5)
Replies
8
Views
3K
Robbo
Robbo
Back
Top Bottom