Where are Joomla's log files?

Which log has what

Joomla writes its own logs (updates, errors it catches, failed logins), while PHP errors that crash a page go to the web server's log. Knowing which one to open saves a lot of time.

Joomla logs

• Folder: administrator/logs. The path is set in Global Configuration → Logging → Path to Log Folder.
• joomla_update.php: every step of Joomla core updates.
• error.php: errors Joomla caught.
• everything.php: only if you turn on Log Almost Everything in the Logging tab (use it briefly, it grows fast).

Server logs

• PHP error log: in your hosting panel ("Errors", "Error Log" or "Logs"), or a file called error_log in the site folder.
• Web server access/error logs: also in the hosting panel; they show 403 and 404 requests.

Who did what

Users → User Actions Log records what each administrator did (logins, edits, installs).

Good to know

• Log files can contain private data: don't make the logs folder public, and delete old logs you don't need.