How to update from 2.11 to 2.1.4 and fix the database

[magicmatt58]

I admit to complete ignorance when it comes to this subject. I downloaded the latest version and tried to upload it in my forum, but got the message the upload was empty. I got an email stating that SMF could not connect to the database and I have no clue on how to fix this. If anyone can help, I would appreciate it. We can connect with Anydesk if you care so inclined to fix this issue. Thank you.

[Aleksi "Lex" Kilpinen]

Normally, if you are already on 2.1.something, you should be able to update through the admin panel, one version at a time.
There should be a news item telling you of an available update, and it should include a link to update.
If that doesn't work, then you can update with patches one version at a time, using the package manager in SMF.
The patches are available for download at https://custom.simplemachines.org/index.php?action=patches

If you really need to jump multiple versions, that is also possible - but most often you would want to avoid that, as it would remove all customization done to the forum.

The database issue is a different thing, simply knowing that you've had a message of a connection issue doesn't really tell much about why that is.
If the forum works though, this has most likely been something that fixed itself already.

[Doug Heffernan]

I downloaded the latest version and tried to upload it in my forum, but got the message the upload was empty.

I take it that you got that message when trying to apply the patches? You can always do a manual upgrade as well, but that will uninstall all the mods and any manual edits done to the files, if any. So you might want to mack up a backup of the edited files before the manual upgrade.

[Aleksi "Lex" Kilpinen]

I may have assumed too much, but I assumed the error was because the package was the large upgrade package - which doesn't include the files package manager expects to see.

[Sesquipedalian]

A point of clarification may be needed here. @magicmatt58, you wrote that you were trying to upgrade from version 2.11, which does not exist. Did you mean version 2.0.11, or version 2.1.1? The answer to your question depends on which one you meant.

[Doug Heffernan]

I may have assumed too much, but I assumed the error was because the package was the large upgrade package - which doesn't include the files package manager expects to see.

Reading @Sesquipedalian 's post, I think that that may very well be the case actually. I assumed that the OP tried to upgrade from the 2.1.1. version, but I missed the typo. Maybe they meant the 2.0.11 version and tried to do it by uploading the large upgrade package through the Package Manager. We have seen that happen quite a few times here on the boards.

This is what we get when not enough info is provided, and the one that is provided, is a bit unlear

[magicmatt58]

It is in fact 2.1.1 which is installed. So how do I go to the newest 2.1.4? Thanks.

[Aleksi "Lex" Kilpinen]

Like this.

Normally, if you are already on 2.1.something, you should be able to update through the admin panel, one version at a time. There should be a news item telling you of an available update, and it should include a link to update.

Or like this

If that doesn't work, then you can update with patches one version at a time, using the package manager in SMF.
The patches are available for download at https://custom.simplemachines.org/index.php?action=patches

You first update to 2.1.2, then to 2.1.3, and lastly to 2.1.4.

[magicmatt58]

Thank you for the replies! Yes, I had to install 3 different packages to get my forum to work correctly, and it did! You guys are the best!

[Doug Heffernan]

Glad to see that you got your forum successfully upgraded.