Image 1 : Error after updating Joomla Helix Ultimate extension to version v2.2.10
The error shown in Image 1 indicates that server environment is currently running PHP 7.4.33. The updated Helix Ultimate framework requires at least PHP 8.1.0.
Image 2 : Error "session_start(): Argument #1 ($options) must be of type array, string given"
However, after changing the php version of the environment, new error message occurs "session_start(): Argument #1 ($options) must be of type array, string given". There is no detailed stack trace to troubleshoot what is causing the error.
The Solution
To bypass the Helix Ultimate custom error page and reveal the underlying PHP 8.1 issue, you need to rename the template's error file. This forces Joomla to fall back to its core error reporting.
- Access your site files: via cPanel, FTP, or File Manager. Navigate to your Joomla root directory on your server.
- Locate the Helix error file: Navigate to templates/shaper_helixultimate/error.php. (If you are using a renamed clone of Helix, look inside templates/your_template_name/error.php).
- Rename the file to disable it: Rename error.php to error.php.bak. This safely removes it from execution while keeping a backup just in case.
Image 3 : Disabling error.php in template
You will now see Joomla's native, detailed stack trace pinpointing the exact file and line number causing the failure.
Image 4 : Detailed stack trace pinpointing the exact file and line number causing the failure.