Common Joomla issues we see at the start of the year
Why these issues show up in January
January is when a lot of businesses take stock: budgets reset, priorities shift, and suddenly that “small website niggle” becomes a “we should probably fix this”.
With Joomla sites, the same handful of issues appear year after year. The good news: most are preventable with a simple maintenance routine.
1) Missed updates (core or extensions)
This is the big one. Sites often run perfectly for months… until they don’t. Updates matter because they include security patches, compatibility fixes and improvements.
What to do:
- Check Joomla core updates
- Check extensions and templates for updates
- Remove anything unused (disabled extensions still create risk)
- Where possible, test updates on staging before applying live
2) PHP version changes causing errors
Hosting platforms upgrade PHP versions for security and performance. If a Joomla site relies on outdated extensions or old template code, PHP upgrades can trigger errors.
What to do:
- Check your current PHP version in hosting or Joomla system info
- Confirm your key extensions are compatible
- Plan upgrades, don’t do them in a panic
3) Backups that exist… but can’t be restored
This is more common than people think. Backups are only valuable if you can restore them.
What to do:
- Ensure backups run automatically
- Store them off-site
- Test restore periodically (even once a quarter is a huge improvement)
4) Slow performance (especially on mobile)
Performance tends to degrade gradually: heavier images, extra scripts, more plugins, more content. Then one day it feels “just a bit sluggish” — and that’s usually when conversions start dropping.
What to do:
- Optimise images (size and compression)
- Review template output and unused features
- Check caching configuration (Joomla + server)
- Consider database housekeeping for older sites
5) Forms not delivering emails reliably
Form submissions are business-critical. Unfortunately, it’s possible for a form to still “submit” while emails are delayed, blocked, or going to spam.
What to do:
- Test forms monthly
- Check spam folders and mail logs
- Make sure your email setup is robust (rather than relying on “whatever the server does”)
6) SEF/URL issues and broken links
After changes to menus, extensions or redirects, it’s common to see broken links and messy URLs. That can affect user experience and SEO.
What to do:
- Run a quick broken link check
- Confirm redirects are correct
- Make sure menu structure supports the URLs you want
7) Security housekeeping (small things that matter)
Security isn’t just about big dramatic hacks — it’s often about small, boring housekeeping that reduces risk:
- Remove unused admin users
- Use strong passwords and sensible permissions
- Enable 2FA for privileged accounts where appropriate
- Remove extensions you no longer use
What we recommend for a calm year
If you want Joomla to feel reliable all year, here’s a simple rhythm:
- Monthly: update checks, form tests, basic site review
- Quarterly: performance review, housekeeping, backup restore test
- Ongoing: keep extensions lean and purposeful
If something feels “off”, it’s worth checking early
Most Joomla issues are easier (and cheaper) to fix early. If you want us to take a look and tell you what’s worth doing — and what isn’t — we can help.
Get in touch here and we’ll point you in the right direction.
