How to Upgrade Moodle 4.2.5 to Moodle 5.0.1

Posted on July 3, 2025July 3, 2025 by rajeshkumarin

To upgrade Moodle 4.2.5 to Moodle 5.0.1, follow this structured process, which aligns with Moodle’s official documentation and best practices1 2 3 4:

1. Check Server & Software Requirements

Supported Upgrade Path: You can upgrade directly from 4.2.5 to 5.0.1 (Moodle 5.0 only supports upgrades from 4.2.3 or later)1 2.
PHP: Minimum 8.2.0 (64-bit only). PHP 8.3.x/8.4.x also supported.
Database: PostgreSQL 14+, MySQL 8.4+, MariaDB 10.11.0+, SQL Server 2017+. Oracle is not supported in Moodle 5.0+.
PHP Extensions: sodium is required.
PHP Setting: max_input_vars must be ≥ 5000.
Database Prefix: Must not exceed 10 characters.
In Moodle, go to Site administration > Server > Environment and check for any warnings or errors for Moodle 5.01 3.

2. Preparation & Backup

Test the upgrade on a copy of your production site first1 3.
Backup these three areas:
- Moodle software files (your Moodle directory)
- Moodle data directory (usually moodledata)
- Moodle database (full SQL dump)1 3 4

3. Check Plugins

Visit Site administration > Plugins > Plugins overview.
Update all plugins and themes to versions compatible with Moodle 5.01.
If a plugin is not compatible, remove its code (do not uninstall via the UI, to preserve data), or update it1.

4. Enable Maintenance Mode

Go to Site administration > Server > Maintenance mode and enable it1 4.

5. Replace Moodle Code

Download Moodle 5.0.1 from the [official Moodle download page]4.
Upload the new Moodle package to your server.
Create a backup of your current Moodle code (e.g., move everything in your Moodle directory to a new folder like OLDSITE)4.
Extract the new Moodle code into your Moodle directory4.
Copy config.php from OLDSITE to the new Moodle directory4.
Copy any custom plugins/themes (ensure they are compatible).
Do not overwrite the moodledata directory.

6. Start the Upgrade Process

Web Interface: Open your Moodle site in a browser. The upgrade will start automatically—follow on-screen instructions1 3 4.
Command Line (recommended for large sites): bashphp admin/cli/upgrade.php
The process will check plugins and update the database schema15.

7. Post-Upgrade Steps

Complete the upgrade: Ensure all steps show “success” and resolve any plugin issues15.
Disable maintenance mode.
Test your site: Check user logins, course access, file uploads, and plugin functionality.
Review logs for errors.

8. Cleanup

Once satisfied, you may delete the backup of your old Moodle code (OLDSITE). Keep your database and data directory backups for a while4.

Upgrade Steps Summary Table

Step	Action
Check Requirements	PHP, DB, extensions, environment check
Backup	Moodle code, `moodledata`, database
Plugin Compatibility	Update or remove incompatible plugins
Maintenance Mode	Enable via admin interface
Replace Code	Upload/extract Moodle 5.0.1, restore `config.php`, custom plugins
Start Upgrade	Visit site or run CLI upgrade script
Post-Upgrade Checks	Test site, resolve issues, disable maintenance mode
Cleanup	Remove old code backup after confirming stability

Important Notes

Never skip backups.
Test the upgrade on a staging copy first.
Check plugin compatibility before upgrading.
Do not use Oracle Database—unsupported in Moodle 5.0+.
Upgrade may take significant time for large sites—plan accordingly.

For full details, consult the [Moodle Upgrading documentation]1 3.

References:
1: Moodle Upgrading Guide
2: Moodle 5.0 Release Notes
3: Upgrade Overview
4: Tech Fry: How to Upgrade Moodle

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