No content visible after restoring database #5521

New Issue

OVERLORD · 2026-02-05T10:08:33+03:00

OVERLORD commented

2026-02-05 10:08:33 +03:00

Originally created by @techauthoruk on GitHub (Nov 25, 2025).

Attempted Debugging

I have read the debugging page

Searched GitHub Issues

I have searched GitHub for the issue.

Describe the Scenario

I have just had to create a new install of my Bookstack instance after a server failure. New swerver is running Ubuntu 24.03 LTS. I have a working Bookstack instance on the server (all seems fine), with all the dependencies installed, but after restoring my database, Bookstack shows no content:

I have restored the database using the password that was used when the database was originally created, and if I look at the tables in mysql (e.g SELECT * FROM books;) all the content is present in the tables.

I am running the latest version of Bookstack (25.11.3), but I think the backup was an earlier version (possibly 25.07, I cannot remember). If I try to run php artisan migrate it fails with an error:

So, I'm totally clueless as to what the issue might be - can anyone assist, as I really need to gain access to my content.

Thank you

Mark

Exact BookStack Version

25.11.3

Log Content

Hosting Environment

PHP 8.3.6 in Ubuntu 24.03 LTS

Originally created by @techauthoruk on GitHub (Nov 25, 2025). ### Attempted Debugging - [x] I have read the debugging page ### Searched GitHub Issues - [x] I have searched GitHub for the issue. ### Describe the Scenario I have just had to create a new install of my Bookstack instance after a server failure. New swerver is running Ubuntu 24.03 LTS. I have a working Bookstack instance on the server (all seems fine), with all the dependencies installed, but after restoring my database, Bookstack shows no content: <img width="1318" height="770" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/8cf2ebbd-d312-498a-aa21-520abb1cfa62" /> I have restored the database using the password that was used when the database was originally created, and if I look at the tables in mysql (e.g `SELECT * FROM books;`) all the content is present in the tables. I am running the latest version of Bookstack (25.11.3), but I think the backup was an earlier version (possibly 25.07, I cannot remember). If I try to run `php artisan migrate` it fails with an error: <img width="556" height="435" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/e3331d24-489e-4ffe-9a07-aaff55b7e6fc" /> So, I'm totally clueless as to what the issue might be - can anyone assist, as I really need to gain access to my content. Thank you Mark ### Exact BookStack Version 25.11.3 ### Log Content ```text ``` ### Hosting Environment PHP 8.3.6 in Ubuntu 24.03 LTS

OVERLORD added the 🐕 Support label 2026-02-05 10:08:33 +03:00

OVERLORD closed this issue

2026-02-05 10:08:34 +03:00

OVERLORD commented

2026-02-05 10:08:36 +03:00

@ssddanbrown commented on GitHub (Nov 25, 2025):

Hi @techauthoruk,

This will happen if you restore an older version backup into a database that's been created with a newer version of BookStack.
If restoring an older version database backup, you need to ensure you do so into an empty database.

Typical process would be as follows:

Ensure you still have backups kept in a very safe space. Especially from pre-migration.
On the new instance, drop all tables from the bookstack database. (DANGEROUS, ALL DATA ON THE NEW INSTANCE WILL BE DELETED, hence having backups is essential).
Restore your old database dump into the empty database.
Then run the BookStack update steps, including the php artisan migrate. If there are any errors from this ON FIRST RUN note those errors and report them back here. Don't re-run this if there's an error.

If you need help with any of these steps just let me know.

@ssddanbrown commented on GitHub (Nov 25, 2025): Hi @techauthoruk, This will happen if you restore an older version backup into a database that's been created with a newer version of BookStack. If restoring an older version database backup, you need to ensure you do so into an empty database. Typical process would be as follows: - Ensure you still have backups kept in a very safe space. Especially from pre-migration. - On the new instance, drop all tables from the bookstack database. (DANGEROUS, ALL DATA ON THE NEW INSTANCE WILL BE DELETED, hence having backups is essential). - Restore your old database dump into the empty database. - Then run the BookStack update steps, including the `php artisan migrate`. If there are any errors from this **ON FIRST RUN** note those errors and report them back here. Don't re-run this if there's an error. If you need help with any of these steps just let me know.

OVERLORD commented

2026-02-05 10:08:38 +03:00

@techauthoruk commented on GitHub (Nov 25, 2025):

@ssddanbrown - Dan, thank you so much! Dropping the tables then restoring and running the artisan migrate solved the issue.

Thank you again!

Mark

@techauthoruk commented on GitHub (Nov 25, 2025): @ssddanbrown - Dan, thank you so much! Dropping the tables then restoring and running the artisan migrate solved the issue. Thank you again! Mark

OVERLORD commented

2026-02-05 10:08:41 +03:00

@ssddanbrown commented on GitHub (Nov 25, 2025):

@techauthoruk Awesome, wonderful to hear that did it!

Will therefore close this off.

@ssddanbrown commented on GitHub (Nov 25, 2025): @techauthoruk Awesome, wonderful to hear that did it! Will therefore close this off.

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Reference: starred/BookStack#5521