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# Setting up the WHMCS Updater

WHMCS includes an Update Utility - which you can use to update to new versions. You can access the utility via **WHMCS >> Utilities >> Update WHMCS**

Pre-requisites - if you haven't already during WHMCS installation you will need to ensure that the PHP function `escapeshellarg` is removed from the PHP Disabled Functions list. We have a separate guide on [changing PHP versions, enabling extensions and changing options](/cpanel/changing-your-php-version-modules-setting-and-functions).

[WHMCS Documentation: Automatic Updater - external link opens in a new window](https://docs.whmcs.com/Automatic_Updater)

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/a2bb8800d0cff000/cbd52d0e-efa7-4e9d-aa63-d73d32_kl6nxw.jpeg)

1.  Prior to being able to use the utility, you'll need to configure a temporary path for the staging of the update files.  
    You can do this using cPanel file manager - create a new folder inside your home directory - this folder should not be publicly accessible - so should be outside of `/public_html`.
    
    ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/48c7d67107720c0/e703b447-8938-4bcb-8835-ff3ecb_9js2gi.jpeg)
    
    The path in this example is `/home/staffte6/whmcs-update-folder`
2.  You can access the updater settings, either by clicking **click here** in the Warning notice or via the **Configure Update Setting** button.
    
    ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/e58553cce9474000/32cdd0cd-468e-4592-bf1b-78f8ba_17dn6pe.jpeg)
    
    Type the staging folder path you just created into the **Temporary Path** field and add a Maintenance message if you wish.  
    Click **Save Changes** to continue.
3.  You will be returned to the Update WHMCS screen and the Warning should have disappeared.
    
    ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/fe5c1b6b15eb8000/7d4a1ae4-8da7-44e1-9c9d-64db2f_1ujk6x2.jpeg)
    
    If your [WHMCS CRON](/article/xcjt6lsp48-setting-up-the-whmcs-cron-job) is set up and running correctly the utility will check regularly for updates - and you'll see an Update Now option in the main WHMCS dashboard. But, should you wish to perform an ad-hoc check you can click the **Check Now** button.  
    There are also links to the **Release Notes** and **Changelog** and we strongly advise you read this before updating to understand any updates or changes that may affect your configuration.  
    Once you are ready to update click **Update Now**.
4.  You'll be prompted to ensure you have a backup of your WHMCS database - you can click the **Download Database Backup** button to download a backup at this point if you haven't already.
    
    ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/a32c4af4ed336800/db5259fc-769a-4325-99f1-3d6962_1kpn0v8.jpeg)
    
    Once you're happy you have appropriate backups click **Continue**.
5.  You'll see one final confirmation window - note the warning:  
    **Once started, the update process cannot be stopped. The update may take several minutes to complete.**
    
    ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/b9529709093c2800/060337f8-63cb-4090-93d8-9dc551_t8pm38.jpeg)
    
    Click **Begin Update**.
6.  You'll now see a window confirming the update is in progress.
    
    ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/3ca1a6c00f962e00/43257a21-0951-4503-aa80-188c4b_6vesrn.jpeg)
    
7.  If you have a particularly large database this update can take some time. You may see a message that the update is taking longer than expected - it's usually safe to just continue waiting a few more minutes. You may need to increase your PHP max-execution-time and/or disable the [LiteSpeed timeouts](/web-hosting/how-to-disable-lite-speed-connection-timeouts).
8.  Once the update completes you'll see a success message.
    
    ![](https://files.helpdocs.io/8nzbvyta9f/articles/2b9m5dhhgt/1562750384812/whmcs-update-8.jpg)
    
    Again, there's a button to **View Release Notes** - and when you're ready click **Finish**.
9.  You will be returned to the Update WHMCS screen confirming you are now running the latest version.
    
    ![](https://files.helpdocs.io/8nzbvyta9f/articles/2b9m5dhhgt/1562750492598/whmcs-update-9.jpg)
    

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