Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix: phpmyadmin symlinks error after ubuntu upgrade

500 internal server error after Ubuntu upgrade due to symlink issues with php-gettext.

Quick Answer: Check and restore the correct symlinks in /usr/share/phpmyadmin/libraries/php-gettext, as the issue seems to be related to broken symlinks.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 💡 Why You Are Getting This Error
  2. 🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps
  3. 💡 Conclusion

The error 'PHP Fatal error: require_once(): Failed opening required './libraries/php-gettext/gettext.inc' (include_path='.') in /usr/share/phpmyadmin/libraries/select_lang.lib.php on line 370' occurs after an Ubuntu upgrade, causing phpMyAdmin to become unreachable. This issue affects users who have upgraded their Ubuntu server to version 13.04 and are using phpMyAdmin version 4:3.5.8.1-1.

This error is frustrating because it prevents users from accessing their database management tools, and it may require significant time and effort to resolve. Fortunately, this guide will walk you through the steps to fix the issue.

💡 Why You Are Getting This Error

  • The primary cause of this error is a problem with the symlinks in the phpMyAdmin installation directory. When the Ubuntu server was upgraded, the symlink structure may have been affected, causing the 'require_once' function to fail. This can happen when the upgrade changes the location or permissions of the files and directories involved.
  • Another possible cause is a mismatch between the PHP include path and the actual location of the required libraries. In this case, the 'require_once' function may be unable to find the 'gettext.inc' file, leading to the error.

🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps

Restoring Symlinks

  1. Step 1: Backup the existing php-gettext directory to prevent any potential data loss. This can be done using a command like 'cp -r /usr/share/phpmyadmin/libraries/php-gettext /home/user/backup'.
  2. Step 2: Restore the original symlink structure by copying the contents of the backup directory back into place. This can be done using a command like 'cp -r /home/user/backup/php-gettext /usr/share/phpmyadmin/libraries/'.
  3. Step 3: Verify that the symlinks are working correctly by checking their target paths and permissions. If necessary, adjust the symlink structure or file permissions to ensure they match the original configuration.

Updating PHP Include Path

  1. Step 1: Check the PHP include path to ensure it matches the actual location of the required libraries. This can be done by examining the 'include_path' directive in the php.ini file or using a command like 'php -v | grep include_path'.
  2. Step 2: If necessary, update the PHP include path to point to the correct location of the 'gettext.inc' file. This may involve editing the php.ini file or setting environment variables to modify the include path.

💡 Conclusion

To resolve the error, restore the original symlink structure or update the PHP include path to match the actual location of the required libraries. By following these steps, you should be able to fix the issue and regain access to your phpMyAdmin interface.

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