Software⏱️ 4 min read📅 2026-06-15

How to Fix: Error when updating composer

Error when updating composer, unable to load dynamic library pdo_mysql.so, Class Phar not found.

Quick Answer: Update PHP and reinstall composer to resolve the issue.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 🛑 Root Causes of the Error
  2. 🚀 How to Resolve This Issue
  3. 🎯 Final Words

When updating Composer, you may encounter an error that prevents the update from proceeding. This issue affects users who are trying to install or update PHP extensions using Composer.

The error message indicates that there is a problem with the PDO MySQL extension, which is required for Composer to function properly. This can be frustrating for developers who rely on Composer for their projects.

🛑 Root Causes of the Error

  • The primary cause of this error is a missing or corrupted PDO MySQL extension library. This can occur due to a variety of reasons such as incorrect package installation, file system corruption, or incomplete updates.
  • An alternative cause could be the version mismatch between PHP and the PDO MySQL extension. If the versions are not compatible, Composer may struggle to install or update the required libraries.

🚀 How to Resolve This Issue

Updating PHP Extensions Manually

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Check if you have an up-to-date PHP installation.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Install the PDO MySQL extension library using your package manager (e.g., apt-get for Debian-based systems or yum for Red Hat-based systems). For example, on a Debian-based system, run the command `sudo apt-get install php7.4-mysql` to install the PHP 7.4 MySQL extension.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: Verify that the PDO MySQL extension library is correctly installed by running the command `php -m | grep pdo_mysql`. This should display the presence of the extension if it has been successfully installed.
  4. Step 4: Step 4: Attempt to run the Composer update command again to see if the issue persists.
  5. Step 5: Method 2: Updating PHP and PDO MySQL Extension Versions
  6. Step 6: Step 1: Check your PHP version using `php -v` and note the current version.
  7. Step 7: Step 2: Update PHP to the latest available version using a package manager (e.g., apt-get for Debian-based systems or yum for Red Hat-based systems). For example, on a Debian-based system, run the command `sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install php7.4` to update PHP to version 7.4.
  8. Step 8: Step 3: Check if the updated PHP version includes support for the PDO MySQL extension by running the command `php -v | grep pdo_mysql`. This should display the presence of the extension if it has been included in the updated PHP version.
  9. Step 9: Step 4: Attempt to run the Composer update command again to see if the issue persists.
  10. Step 10: conclusion

Alternative Advanced Fix

    🎯 Final Words

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