Joomla 2.5 · Joomla Errors · Joomla Setup

Joomla 2.5 Error “-1 – An error has occurred . Copy failed”

When updating my Joomla 2.5 website using the fancy new Joomla Update button on the site control panel, I got this Joomla 2.5 Update error.

-1 – An error has occurred.

Copy failed

I was able to fix the problem but not without encountering other problems along the way.   Below I will show how you can also fix your Joomla website and get rid of this Joomla update errors.  I know this tutorial will seem long and lots of steps but remember to perform all of them in sequence.

High level overview of steps you need to take to fix the Joomla update error:

  • Use the Joomla Update button on Site Control Panel
  • Update your Joomla 2.5 package, in Extensions Manager
  • Joomla Update Error: -1 – An error has occurred.
  • Check the Joomla Update button on Site Control Panel
  • Purge Cache in Update Extensions Manager
  • Fix the Database in Databases Extensions Manager
  • Purge Cache in Discover Extensions Manager
  • Discover & Install Update Extensions Manager
  • Check Joomla Update in Site Control panel
  • Summary of Errors Encountered while updating Joomla 2.5

Steps:

1.  Use the Joomla Update button on Site Control Panel

Use the fancy not-so new Joomla update on the Joomla Site Control Panel to update your Joomla version to the newest version.

Joomla 2.5 - Joomla update Button on Site Control Panel
Joomla 2.5 - Joomla update Button on Site Control Panel
  • Login to your Joomla 2.5 Administrator panel
  • See a red (!) beside the Joomla Update button.
  • Click on the box – Joomla 2.5.4 Update now!

2.  Update your Joomla 2.5 package, in Extensions Manager

Instead of using the quick link box above, you can also access your Joomla updates through the Extensions Manager – Update button.

Joomla 2.5 - Update Joomla 2.5 package in Extensions Manager
  • Check the box beside ‘Joomla’
  • Click on ‘Update’

3.   Joomla Update Error:  -1 – An error has occurred.

When the update is done, you will get an error that says:

-1 – An error has occurred.

Copy failed

Return to Control Panel

Check the Joomla Update button
Check the Joomla Update button
  • Click  on’ Return to Control Panel’

4.  Check the Joomla Update button to see if update is complete on Site Control Panel

Back at the Joomla Control Panel, it will seem that your site is fine.  Your website is perfectly fine, it’s just that the control panel and software update is out of sync.  There are more steps to perform to fully upgrade your Joomla version.  You will see more errors when you click on the Joomla update button again.

Joomla Update Version button
Joomla Update Version button
  • Click  on the “Joomla is up-to-date’ button on your Joomla Control Panel
  • You will see the following errors:

Error loading component: com_joomlaupdate. 1

Error loading component: com_joomlaupdate. 1

Joomla 2.5 Error - Error loading component: com_joomlaupdate. 1
Joomla 2.5 Error - Error loading component: com_joomlaupdate. 1

5.  Purge Cache in Upate Extensions Manager

Joomla 2.5 - Extensions Manager
1. Joomla 2.5 - Extensions Manager

Access your Extensions Manager Update tab to Purge the cache

  • Click  on ‘Extensions’, ‘Extension Manager’
  • Click on the ‘Update‘ tab
  • Click on ‘Purge Cache’
  • See the the Purge was successful message:
Purge updates, 2 disabled sites were enabled.
Joomla 2.5 - Purge Cache in Extensions Manager Update
Joomla 2.5 - Purge Cache in Extensions Manager Update

 6.  Fix the Database in Databases Extensions Manager

In the Extensions Manager, Databases tab you will see an error that says:

Warning: Database is Not up to date!

Joomla 2.5 - Fix the Database in Extensions Manager Databases
Joomla 2.5 - Fix the Database in Extensions Manager Databases
  • Click  on ‘Extensions’, ‘Extension Manager
  • Click  on the ‘Database‘ tab
  • Click on ‘Fix
  • Afterwards you will see a successful message that your Database Structure is up to date
Joomla 2.5 - Joomla Database Structure is up to date
Joomla 2.5 - Joomla Database Structure is up to date

 7.  Purge Cache in Extensions Manager

In the Extensions Manager, purge the cache in the Discover tab:

Joomla 2.5 - Purge Cache in Extensions Manager Discover
Joomla 2.5 - Purge Cache in Extensions Manager Discover
  • Click on ‘Extensions’, ‘Extensions Manager
  • Click on ‘Discover‘ tab
  • Click on ‘Purge Cache‘ button along the top right

8. Joomla 2.5 – Discover & Install Update Extensions Manager

The Discover Extensions Manager will refresh the Joomla updates and display to you any new updates that your Joomla 2.5 website requires.

Joomla 2.5 - Discover & Install Update Extensions Manager
Joomla 2.5 - Discover & Install Update Extensions Manager
  • In the Extensions Manager – Click on ‘Extensions’,’Extensions Manager
  • Click on ‘Discover‘ tab
  • Click on ‘Discover‘ button on the top right
  • Select the checkbox beside ‘Joomla! Update’
  • Click on ‘Install

9.  Check Joomla Update in Site Control panel – no errors

Now you can go back to your ‘Site’, ‘Control Panel’ and access the main control panel screen.

Joomla Update Version button

  • Click  on ‘Site’, ‘Control Panel’
  • Click on the ‘Joomla! is up-to-date’ button
  • Voila! no errors!
Joomla 2.5 - Update has no errors
Joomla 2.5 - Update has no errors

10.  Summary of Errors Encountered While Updating Joomla 2.5

  • -1 – An error has occurred.  Copy Failed.
  •  Error loading component: com_joomlaupdate. 1
  • Warning: Database is Not up to date!

Thanks,

Elaine

4 thoughts on “Joomla 2.5 Error “-1 – An error has occurred . Copy failed”

  1. at step 4 my site is not showing the update ok, but rather the same icon like before .. (Joomla update 2.5.4 now!) i have currently 2.5.3

  2. Hi Elaine,
    Just like to say thanks for posting this solution. After an hour trawling the web trying to find an answer to this problem that actually works, I found your procedure which worked like a charm.

    I’m very grateful!
    Kind Regards,
    Mark

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