MediaWiki

This page explains the MediaWiki one-click installer in GoAdmio. It lets you install a complete MediaWiki wiki on a domain in a single step — no manual file upload, no database setup, no configuration.

Location: Admin Panel → Scripts → MediaWiki
Location (User Panel): Scripts → MediaWiki (if enabled for the account)

Overview

MediaWiki is a free, open-source wiki software — the platform that powers Wikipedia and thousands of other wikis. It is designed for collaborative documentation, knowledge bases, and community-edited content.

GoAdmio's one-click installer handles the entire setup:

Downloads the latest MediaWiki release
Creates the database and database user
Configures MediaWiki's LocalSettings.php with the correct credentials
Installs MediaWiki in the chosen directory
Runs the installation wizard (wiki name, admin user, admin password)

The result is a fully working wiki, ready for content.

> Note: The one-click installer is for new installations. For migrating an existing MediaWiki wiki, use Backup Wizard or restore from a MediaWiki backup.

What the Page Shows

| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Domain | The domain to install MediaWiki on (e.g., example.com) |
| Directory | The installation path (e.g., /home/example.com/www) |
| Version | The MediaWiki version to install (e.g., Latest Version) |
| Database Name | The database to use — prefixed with the account username |
| Database Username | The database user — prefixed with the account username |
| Database Password | The password for the database user — you must enter a new password |
| Install | Run the installation |

> Important: The Database Password field does not auto-generate. You must enter a new password for the new database. Choose a strong password and store it securely.

Prerequisites

Before installing MediaWiki:

A domain is set up on the account — see Create New Account or Addon Domains.
DNS points to the server — the domain resolves to the GoAdmio server. See DNS Manager and Track DNS.
The document root exists — usually www/<domain> — see Change Document Root.
The domain is not suspended — see Suspend Account.
The account has disk space and database limits — see Show Accounts Over Quota and Add/Modify Packages.
PHP and MySQL are running — see Service Status.
PHP version is compatible — MediaWiki 1.39+ requires PHP 7.4+; newer versions require PHP 8.x. See MultiPHP Manager.

> Tip: MediaWiki benefits from adequate PHP memory. Ensure memory_limit is at least 256M — see PHP Configuration. Large wikis may need more.

How to Install MediaWiki

Step 1 — Open the installer

Log in to the GoAdmio Admin Panel (or User Panel).
Navigate to Scripts → MediaWiki.

Step 2 — Select the domain

Choose the Domain from the dropdown.
The Directory field auto-fills with the account's document root.
Adjust the directory if you want MediaWiki in a subdirectory (e.g., /home/example.com/www/wiki).

Step 3 — Choose the version

Select the Version — usually Latest Version.
If other versions are available, choose the one you need.

> Tip: Always use the latest version — it includes security fixes and performance improvements. Older versions are not recommended for new wikis.

Step 4 — Configure the database

The Database Name and Database Username are pre-filled with the account's username prefix.
Add a suffix if you want a specific name (e.g., wiki), or leave the default.
Enter a new password in the Database Password field.

- Use a strong password — the installer does not generate one. - Store the password in a password manager.

> Warning: The database password is not auto-generated. If you leave it blank or use a weak password, the database is at risk. Use a strong password and save it immediately.

Step 5 — Install

Click Install.
GoAdmio downloads MediaWiki, creates the database, and installs the files.
The installation may take a minute or two.
When complete, GoAdmio shows the MediaWiki installation wizard or a link to it.

Step 6 — Complete the MediaWiki setup

Open the installation wizard at https://<domain>/mw-config/ (or the URL shown).
Language — choose the wiki language.
Welcome — review the setup steps.
Connect to the database — verify the pre-filled credentials.
Name the wiki — enter the wiki name and admin username.
Admin user — set a strong admin password and email.
Options — configure metadata, licensing, and caching.
Install — run the installation.
Download LocalSettings.php — the installer provides the config file. Save it to the wiki directory (e.g., /home/example.com/www/LocalSettings.php).
Delete the mw-config directory — MediaWiki requires this for security.
Log in at https://<domain>/index.php/Special:UserLogin with the credentials you set.

> Tip: The MediaWiki admin username is not the same as the hosting account username. Choose a distinct, non-obvious admin username to reduce brute-force risk.

What the Installer Creates

| Item | Created? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MediaWiki files | ✅ Yes | In the chosen directory |
| Database | ✅ Yes | With the account's username prefix |
| Database user | ✅ Yes | With the account's username prefix |
| LocalSettings.php | ⚠️ Download | The installer provides it; you must save it to the wiki directory |
| MediaWiki admin user | ⚠️ Via the wizard | You set it in step 6 |
| Wiki name | ⚠️ Via the wizard | You set it in step 6 |
| SSL certificate | ❌ No | Install separately — see Install Free SSL Certificate |
| Caching | ⚠️ Depends | MediaWiki supports object caching (Redis, Memcached) and file caching |
| Security extensions | ❌ No | Recommended: ConfirmEdit (CAPTCHA), SpamBlacklist |

> Important: MediaWiki is unique — the installer does not write LocalSettings.php automatically. You must download it from the wizard and upload it to the wiki directory. Without it, the wiki will not work.

> Note: The installer creates a working wiki, but a production MediaWiki site also benefits from:
> - SSL — see Install Free SSL Certificate
> - Caching — MediaWiki's object cache or file cache
> - Anti-spam extensions — ConfirmEdit, SpamBlacklist
> - Backups — see Backup Wizard

After Installing

| Task | Why |
|---|---|
| Download and save LocalSettings.php | Required — the wiki will not work without it |
| Delete the mw-config directory | Critical security step |
| Log in to the wiki | Confirm the wiki works — /index.php/Special:UserLogin |
| Install an SSL certificate | HTTPS is essential — see Install Free SSL Certificate |
| Redirect HTTP to HTTPS | See Redirect HTTP to HTTPS |
| Configure email | MediaWiki sends password resets and notifications — see Email Accounts |
| Enable caching | Configuration → Performance in LocalSettings.php |
| Install anti-spam extensions | Wikis are spam targets — ConfirmEdit, SpamBlacklist |
| Set up backups | Wikis need regular backups — see Backup Wizard |
| Update MediaWiki and extensions | Security and performance |
| Configure pretty URLs | SEO-friendly URLs — see the MediaWiki manual |

> Warning: The mw-config directory must be deleted after installation. Leaving it in place is a serious security risk — an attacker can reinstall MediaWiki and take over the wiki.

Common Scenarios

"The installation succeeded but the wiki does not load"

Check that LocalSettings.php is saved in the wiki directory — this is the most common issue with MediaWiki.
Check DNS — does the domain resolve to the server? See Track DNS.
Check the web server — is it running? See Service Status.
Check the SSL certificate — if HTTPS is enforced but no certificate, the site will not load.

"The wiki says 'LocalSettings.php not found'"

The installer did not save LocalSettings.php to the wiki directory.

Re-run the wizard, or
Download LocalSettings.php from the wizard's final page.
Upload it to the wiki directory via File Manager.
Confirm the file is at the same level as index.php.

"The installation fails with a database error"

Check the database password — it must be filled in.
Check the database limit — the account may have reached its database quota. See Add/Modify Packages.
Check MySQL — is it running? See Service Status.
Check disk space — the account may be over quota. See Show Accounts Over Quota.

"MediaWiki email is not working"

MediaWiki uses PHP's mail() function by default, which is often unreliable. Configure SMTP instead:

Create a mailbox — see Email Accounts.
Edit LocalSettings.php and add:

```php $wgSMTP = [ 'host' => 'mail.example.com', 'port' => 587, 'auth' => true, 'username' => 'wiki@example.com', 'password' => 'your-mailbox-password', ];