Order a module
Knowledge base

DLE: updates, errors and setup

Updates, PHP errors, templates and settings of DataLife Engine — tested on our 15.1–21.0 test sites.

DLE 18 minute read Upgrading to DLE 21.0: what breaks, tested on 16 versions We upgraded copies of our DLE 15.0–20.0 test sites and a clean 12.0 install in windows-1251 to 21.0. The database takes 1 to 28 seconds, PHP 7.4 gives a blank page, the archive overwrites .htaccess and robots.txt, and the broken links in signatures actually date back to 18.0. Read the article
FAQ

About the DLE section

Everything about DataLife Engine itself: moving to a new version, PHP errors after an update, engine settings, templates, additional fields and plugins. Every fix is verified on DLE 15.1–21.0 test sites.

Ask on Telegram
How do I safely update DLE to a new version?

Back up the files and the database, check that your installed plugins support the new version and, if possible, update a copy of the site first. Only then update the live site. The detailed order and common errors are in this section.

Why a blank page or a PHP error after updating DLE?

Usually it is not the engine but a third-party plugin or template written for the old version, or a new PHP version on the host. Turn on error output or open the server error log: the error names the file, and that shows what caused it.

Do I need to update plugins after updating DLE?

Yes, if the author has released a version for the new DLE. Plugins patch the engine code: they find a line and insert their own next to it. Lines change in a new DLE version, and an old patch may not find its place — then the plugin stops working or breaks the page.

Which DLE versions do DLEMod modules support?

Current DLEMod modules run on DataLife Engine from 15.1 to 21.0. The exact DLE and PHP range is shown on each module page.