Upgrading an Outdated Ubuntu VPS: The Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to safely upgrade your server OS, PHP, and MySQL database without breaking your website.
Upgrading an outdated server (Virtual Private Server) can feel intimidating, but if you follow the right sequence, you won’t crash your website or lose your data.
Think of your VPS like a house:
- Ubuntu is the foundation and walls.
- PHP is the plumbing and electricity.
- MySQL is the fragile filing cabinet storing all your precious data.
If you try to move the filing cabinet while breaking down walls, everything will shatter. That is why the order of operations is critical.
The Golden Rule: OS & PHP First, MySQL Second
Always upgrade your operating system and web scripting environment first, while keeping your database untouched. Once the house is structurally stable on the newest version, you upgrade the database step-by-step.
[Phase 1: Foundation] [Phase 2: Database]
Ubuntu 20.04 (PHP 7.4) MySQL 5.7
↓ ↓
Ubuntu 22.04 (PHP 8.1/8.3) MySQL 8.0
↓ ↓
Ubuntu 26.04 (PHP 8.3) MySQL 8.4 → 9.3 → 9.7
Step-by-Step Upgrade Process
Step 1: Take a Full Server Snapshot (Backup)
Crucial prerequisite before running any terminal commands
Before typing a single command, log in to your VPS provider dashboard (DigitalOcean, AWS, Linode, etc.) and create a full Snapshot / Backup. If anything breaks during the upgrade, you can restore your entire server with one click.
Step 2: Upgrade Ubuntu OS & PHP (20.04 LTS → 22.04 LTS → 26.04 LTS)
Do not touch or upgrade MySQL during this phase
Update your current packages first, then upgrade the operating system release by release. Never skip LTS versions.
-
Update current packages:
sudo apt update && sudo apt dist-upgrade -y
-
Upgrade Ubuntu 20.04 LTS to 22.04 LTS:
sudo do-release-upgrade
-
Install PHP 8.3:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ondrej/php -y sudo apt update sudo apt install php8.3 php8.3-cli php8.3-fpm php8.3-mysql -y
-
Upgrade to the next LTS version (24.04 / 26.04 LTS):
Repeatsudo do-release-upgradeto move to the next long-term support release while keeping PHP configured at 8.3.
Step 3: Verify PHP and Web Services
Ensure your websites can run on PHP 8.3
Check that PHP is running correctly on version 8.3:
php -v
Ensure your web server (Nginx or Apache) points to the new php8.3-fpm socket and that your websites load properly before touching the database.
Step 4: Upgrade MySQL via the Sequential Version Path
Path: 5.7 → 8.0 → 8.4 → 9.3 → 9.7
Major MySQL updates change how data is stored. You cannot jump directly from 5.7 to 9.x; doing so will corrupt your tables. You must step through each major milestone:
- Step 4A: MySQL 5.7 → 8.0
Run the MySQL shell upgrade checker to verify syntax compatibility, then upgrade packages to 8.0. - Step 4B: MySQL 8.0 → 8.4 LTS
Upgrade to 8.4 (the Long Term Support release for MySQL 8). - Step 4C: MySQL 8.4 → 9.3 Innovation Release
Transition into the MySQL 9.x series. - Step 4D: MySQL 9.3 → 9.7
Finalize the upgrade to version 9.7.
After each MySQL step, run the system status check to verify database health:
sudo systemctl status mysql
Key Takeaways for Beginners
- Never jump OS or Database major versions. Moving incrementally (20.04 → 22.04 → 26.04 for OS; 5.7 → 8.0 → 8.4 for MySQL) ensures automatic data migration scripts run smoothly.
- Freeze database changes while upgrading. Do not make major database updates at the same time you are updating OS libraries.
- Always test PHP compatibility. PHP 7.4 code often uses functions deprecated in PHP 8.3, so ensure your website scripts (like WordPress plugins or themes) are updated to support PHP 8.3.
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