Import failed with “allow_url_fopen” must be on

Resolved philcatlin
(@philcatlin)

5 months ago
I’m using a cpanel based installation on a 3rd party shared-host server. One of its functions is MultiPHP INI Editor. I’ve changed all the environments it shows to have this variable set on. I’ve also gone into the Joomla root folder and made sure that there are no php.ini files there… What am I missing/what php.ini file is this referencing

some additional details:
1. joomla is installed in x/x/public_html/j30
2. wordpress is installed in x/x/public_html/wp on the same server instance
3. Using a file system connection since they are on the same server .. it tests OK
4. Using the same mySQL server for both but in different schema. that link tests OK
5. Log contents:
=== START import 2025-11-07 18:23:51 ===
Connected with success to the Joomla database
Joomla data found:
3 categories
361 articles
WordPress content removed
[ERROR] The PHP variable “allow_url_fopen” must be set to “On” in the php.ini file.
=== END import 2025-11-07 18:23:51 ===

Viewing 7 replies - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)

Plugin Author Kerfred
(@kerfred)

5 months ago

On CPanel, you must select this option: allow_url_fopen on the screen PHP Selector > Options.
Thread Starter philcatlin
(@philcatlin)

5 months ago
@kerfred I have tried to do that, and I’ve viewed every php.ini file I can find. All of them start with this:
```
; cPanel-generated php ini directives, do not edit
; Manual editing of this file may result in unexpected behavior.
; To make changes to this file, use the cPanel MultiPHP INI Editor (Home >> Software >> MultiPHP INI Editor)
; For more information, read our documentation (https://go.cpanel.net/EA4ModifyINI)

allow_url_fopen = On
```
I have even duplicated the php.ini that includes the above directive and added it to the xxx/xxx/wp folder, but I continue to get the message.
Plugin Author Kerfred
(@kerfred)

5 months ago
Could you create a phpinfo.php file on your WordPress site with only this content:
```
<?php phpinfo(); ?>
```
And go to http: //yourwordpresssite.com/phpinfo.php.

What do you see at the line allow_url_fopen ?

Don’t forget to delete the file phpinfo.php afterwards.
Thread Starter philcatlin
(@philcatlin)

5 months ago
@kerfred thanks for the suggestion! I have run the phpinfo script. Highlights as follows
```
Loaded Configuration File	/xxx/xxx/xxx/wp/php.ini.  <<- the copy of the php.ini

Core

PHP Version	8.3.25
Directive	Local Value	Master Value
allow_url_fopen	On	        On                   <<- agrees with the value in php.ini
```
```
Rerun of import attempt: 

=== START import 2025-11-12 17:52:55 ===
Connected with success to the Joomla database
Joomla data found:
3 categories
397 articles

[WARNING] Your Joomla database contains several users. You need the Premium version to import them.
[WARNING] Your Joomla database contains some PhocaGallery galleries. You need the Premium version and the PhocaGallery add-on to import them.
WordPress content removed
[ERROR] The PHP variable "allow_url_fopen" must be set to "On" in the php.ini file.
=== END import 2025-11-12 17:52:55 ===
```
Plugin Author Kerfred
(@kerfred)

5 months ago

Could you paste the debug info (only the line allow_url_fopen)?
Thread Starter philcatlin
(@philcatlin)

4 months, 4 weeks ago
Debug info as requested:
```
 upload_max_filesize: 30M
  allow_url_fopen: 
  PDO: mysql, sqlite
```
Plugin Author Kerfred
(@kerfred)

4 months, 3 weeks ago

That means that allow_url_fopen is not enabled on your WordPress server. You should ask your provider.
Or try on another server. You can even install WordPress on your computer and run the migration in local.

Viewing 7 replies - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)

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