Easy access to Joomla's log files.

Log files are stored by Joomla and extensions as part of the day-to-day site operation. This is where you can find detailed information about errors and other issues that may happen on your website site.

The amount of logged information depends on your system configuration, with more or less details depending on how you chose to configure them. 

But viewing the content of log files, or just downloading them when asked by a support team for instance, is quite  a pain: connect through FTP, log into your hosting provider control panel, navigate to Joomla log folders, etc.

Some log files can grow considerable in size, especially if you have logging of deprecated functions enabled. Deleting them from time to time saves on resources of your installation and backups.

This administrator module shows a list of Joomla's log files and the PHP error log (if accessible). Log files can only be viewed and managed by administrators with core admin access. This files can be (partially) viewed, downloaded or deleted.

• Download the latest version of the module.
• Install the module using Upload & Install (or copy the link to the zip file and use Install from URL)
• The installation should automatically add a module in your system dashboard. If not, create a new administrator module.

Large files can be truncated for viewing.

Files larger than Max size Kilobytes will only show the last Max lines lines. Downloading always returns the whole file.

Timestamps

The date and time information in the logs are based on UTC.  Depending on your server's settings the modification timestamp on your files are either UTC as well or your local timezone, the module shows the time as found on the server.

Resource Usage

The module runs only on the configured administrator dashboard. The module has no impact on the front end of your website. Retrieving the log file metadata might takes just a brief moment. If you don't need access to the log files you can simply unpublish the module.

The module has a very small footprint, less than 200 Kilobytes and that's included the language and other configuration files.

Translations

• Russian translation by Joomla Training Center

Other solutions

FTP (or file browser)

You must have a working site to access the administrator and the Log Viewer. If it's all broken, you must access the files directly. Either using an FTP client or a File Browser in hosting provider control panel.

JLogs

JLogs is a pretty nice looking component created by Web357. As a component, the log files are quickly accessible through the component menu.

• large footprint due to the web357 framework
• fails on large files
• for some function like deleting files, a pro license is required.

4Logs

4Logs is a simple plugin that lets you manage all log files on your site, it is designed by weeblr.

• While the plugin uses nice modern techniques to display the data, it's actually running on every page request to your website. Loading several files of its large footprint (10+ megabytes) and consuming a few megabytes of runtime memory.
• The log information is hidden in the plugin settings and not easily accessible. 

ochLogFiles

ochLogFiles is a frequently recommended extension maintained on the online community hub to view Joomla's log files. Advertised as free, you need an active subscription to one of their other extensions to download it.