TYPO3 update: safely and without downtime to the current LTS version

In short: A TYPO3 update moves your website to a version that receives regular security updates and runs on current PHP versions. Each TYPO3 LTS version is maintained for free for only a few years. After that, updates are available only for a fee (ELTS) or not at all. If you update in time, you save money, avoid outages and stay visible on Google.

Why should you update TYPO3?

• Security: Only supported versions get fixes for newly discovered security vulnerabilities.
• Current PHP versions: Hosting providers switch off old PHP versions. Newer TYPO3 versions run on current PHP (see the overview above).
• Speed: Newer PHP and TYPO3 versions are noticeably faster. That improves your Core Web Vitals and therefore your rankings.
• Convenience for editors: The backend is more modern, clearer and faster to use.
• New possibilities: Content Blocks, Site Sets and modern forms make extensions easier and future updates cheaper.
• Accessibility: Current versions make accessible websites easier to build. That matters now that the requirements of the German Accessibility Act (BFSG) apply to many online services.
• Data protection: The GDPR requires appropriate technical safeguards. Unpatched software is hard to reconcile with that.
• Predictable costs: An update across one major version is much cheaper than a jump across three or four.

What happens if you don't update TYPO3?

An outdated TYPO3 installation doesn't suddenly get worse overnight. But the risks grow every month:

• Open security vulnerabilities: Known weaknesses stay unpatched. That is an open invitation for automated attacks.
• Sudden outage: When the hosting provider changes the PHP version, an old TYPO3 version often stops working entirely. A planned project turns into an emergency.
• Extensions fall away: Extensions for old versions are no longer maintained, not even when security issues come up.
• Rising costs: The bigger the version jump, the more work the eventual upgrade takes. Paid ELTS support only postpones the problem.
• Worse rankings: Slow loading times and outdated technology cost you visibility on Google and in AI search.
• Liability and reputation: If your website gets hacked, you risk data breaches, spam sent from your server and a loss of trust among your customers.

What are the challenges of a TYPO3 update?

Every installation is different. In practice, these are the points that most often cause extra work. Here is how I handle them:

• Large version jump: Going from TYPO3 v8 or v9 to the current version involves several intermediate steps. I plan each step individually and test in between.
• Deprecated APIs and configuration: Features marked as deprecated in earlier versions are removed later. With tools like TYPO3 Rector and Fractor, many adjustments can be made automatically and traceably.
• Templates and TypoScript: Older templates use constructs that no longer exist. The look and behavior stay the same, while the technology underneath is modernized.
• Switching to Composer: Older installations run without Composer. Switching makes future updates much easier and safer.
• Server requirements: New TYPO3 versions need newer PHP and database versions. With hosting with me, this is already taken care of.

What happens to custom-built extensions?

Custom extensions, for example for product catalogs, interfaces or special content elements, usually need to be adapted. I analyze the code, update it to the current TYPO3 API and clean up legacy issues along the way. Where it makes sense, custom content elements are converted into Content Blocks; that makes later updates much cheaper. I also take over extensions developed by another agency. Access to the source code is all I need.

And what about third-party extensions?

Many popular extensions have current versions that are simply updated along with everything else. For every extension in use, I check:

• Is there a compatible version? Then it gets updated and its configuration adjusted.
• Is it no longer maintained? Then I replace it with a maintained alternative and migrate the content. Older solutions for columns or content elements, such as Gridelements or DCE, are often replaced by the Container extension or Content Blocks.
• Is it no longer needed at all? Then it goes. Every extension removed makes the website faster and more secure.
• Is it a paid extension? Then I check with you whether a new license is needed before any costs arise.

Good to know: An upgrade is a one-time project. To keep your website up to date afterwards, I handle the ongoing security updates as part of TYPO3 maintenance and support. The live overview above shows which versions are still secure.

How much does a TYPO3 update cost and how long does it take?

There are no honest flat rates, because every installation is different. The cost depends mainly on:

• the version jump (going from v13 to v14 is much less work than from v9 to v14),
• the number and condition of the extensions, especially custom developments,
• the scope of individual templates and TypoScript customizations,
• whether the design or structure should be modernized at the same time.

An upgrade across one major version is often done in a few days, while big jumps with many extensions take a few weeks. After the assessment, you get a fixed-price quote. You know exactly where you stand beforehand.

Checklist: Is your TYPO3 website affected?

• Your TYPO3 version is no longer marked as “Current” or “Maintained” in the overview above.
• Your hosting provider has announced that it will switch off a PHP version.
• The backend shows warnings about outdated extensions or missing updates.
• The agency that built your website can no longer be reached.
• The website loads slowly or is hard to use on a smartphone.

If any of these applies, a quick look is worthwhile. In the free update check, I tell you your version, risks and effort within 24 hours.

From my own practice

This website itself runs on TYPO3 14 LTS with Content Blocks, Site Sets and Composer, without external fonts or CDNs, hosted in Germany. That is exactly the standard I bring to your website too, whether I built it myself or it comes from another agency. After the update, a maintenance plan can make sure it stays up to date, if you like.