How do I see the real error message?
System → Global Configuration → Server → Error Reporting: Maximum. If the admin is down, set $error_reporting = 'maximum' in configuration.php.
Why Joomla hides it
On a live site, error details can reveal file paths and other information to attackers, so Joomla shows a generic error page. When you are fixing a problem, you switch the details on for a short time.
If the administrator works
- Go to System → Global Configuration.
- System tab: set Debug System to Yes.
- Server tab: set Error Reporting to Maximum.
- Click Save & Close and reload the broken page.
If the administrator doesn't work
- Change
configuration.phpto 644 with your file manager. - Edit it: set
public $debug = true;andpublic $error_reporting = 'maximum';. - Save and reload the page. The first line of the stack trace shows where the error happened; the faulty extension may be further down.
Good to know
- Turn both settings back (Debug: No, Error Reporting: System Default) when you are done. Saving Global Configuration also sets configuration.php back to read-only.
Sources
- FatalError – Joomla User Guide
- Global Configuration – Joomla User Guide
