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Set the Temporary Update Path

When you update WHMCS, the temporary path allows the system to stage files. You cannot perform automatic updates unless you have specified a writeable temporary path.

Modifying the update configuration requires the Modify Update Configuration administrator role permission, which is separate from the Update WHMCS permission.

Configure a Temporary Path

To configure the temporary update path:

1. Create a temporary update directory.

Create a directory on your server using your preferred FTP client or file manager.

  • Make sure that this directory is outside of the public document root (similar to the attachments, downloads, and templates_c directories) and the PHP user can write to it.
  • We recommend using a descriptive directory name (for example, update_temp).

2. Go to Update WHMCS.

Go to Utilities > Update WHMCS.

3. Click Configure Update Settings.

Click Configure Update Settings in the top-right corner of the page.

4. Enter the new directory’s path.

Enter the absolute path for the new directory in Temporary Path (for example, /var/www/html/update_temp):

Configuring Update Settings

5. Save your changes.

Click Save Changes.

Last modified: 2026 February 26