Table of Contents

  1. Introduction

  2. Why Dolibarr is a Popular Choice

  3. Common Installation Issues and Solutions

  4. Configuration Problems and Fixes

  5. User Management Challenges and How to Overcome Them

  6. Common Module Activation Errors

  7. Performance Optimization for Dolibarr

  8. Backup and Restore Issues

  9. Integration Problems with Third-Party Tools

  10. Security Concerns and How to Address Them

  11. Accounting Module Common Errors and Solutions

  12. Invoicing and Payment Tracking Troubleshooting

  13. Email and Notification Configuration Issues

  14. Document Management System (DMS) Problems

  15. Upgrade and Migration Difficulties

  16. Customization and Development Challenges

  17. Best Practices for Ongoing Dolibarr Maintenance

  18. Community Resources and Getting Help

  19. Conclusion

1. Introduction

Dolibarr ERP CRM has become a go-to open-source solution for many businesses, but like any software, users sometimes encounter problems. This guide addresses frequent Dolibarr issues and offers practical solutions to keep your system running smoothly.

2. Why Dolibarr is a Popular Choice

  • Open-source and cost-effective.

  • Modular and customizable.

  • Suitable for SMEs, freelancers, and associations.

  • Active development and community support.

Understanding Dolibarr’s strengths helps contextualize why occasional problems are worth resolving rather than abandoning the platform.

3. Common Installation Issues and Solutions

Issue: Blank Screen After Installation

  • Cause: PHP errors or missing extensions.

  • Solution: Enable error display in php.ini, ensure required PHP extensions (GD, JSON, XML) are installed.

Issue: Cannot Connect to Database

  • Cause: Wrong credentials or database server not running.

  • Solution: Double-check database name, username, and password. Ensure the MySQL/MariaDB service is active.

4. Configuration Problems and Fixes

Issue: Timezone Incorrect

  • Solution: Set the correct timezone in php.ini and configure it under Setup > Miscellaneous in Dolibarr.

Issue: Language Not Displaying Properly

  • Solution: Verify that language packs are correctly installed. Clear cache if necessary.

5. User Management Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Issue: New Users Cannot Access Certain Modules

  • Cause: Permissions not correctly assigned.

  • Solution: Adjust user permissions under Setup > Users & Groups.

Issue: Password Recovery Not Working

  • Solution: Verify SMTP settings under Setup > Email to ensure email delivery works properly.

6. Common Module Activation Errors

Issue: Module Activation Fails

  • Cause: Missing dependencies.

  • Solution: Check the module documentation for prerequisite modules and activate them first.

Issue: Modules Not Appearing After Upload

  • Solution: Upload modules into the correct /htdocs/custom/ directory and verify file permissions.

7. Performance Optimization for Dolibarr

Issue: Dolibarr is Running Slow

  • Solutions:

    • Optimize database indexes.

    • Enable caching (if supported by server).

    • Upgrade PHP version for better performance.

    • Minimize the number of active modules.

8. Backup and Restore Issues

Issue: Backup File Too Large to Restore

  • Solution:

    • Increase upload_max_filesize and post_max_size in php.ini.

    • Split backup into smaller files if necessary.

Issue: Restore Fails with Errors

  • Solution: Check database version compatibility. Use command-line tools like mysql for large imports.

9. Integration Problems with Third-Party Tools

Issue: API Connections Fail

  • Cause: Incorrect API keys or endpoint configurations.

  • Solution: Verify API keys, URLs, and user permissions for API access.

Issue: WooCommerce Integration Not Syncing

  • Solution: Ensure that connector modules are updated and check server cron jobs are running.

10. Security Concerns and How to Address Them

Issue: Dolibarr Vulnerable to Attacks

  • Solutions:

    • Always update to the latest stable release.

    • Use HTTPS.

    • Set strong user passwords.

    • Regularly review server security.

Security hygiene is critical for ERP systems due to the sensitive data they contain.

11. Accounting Module Common Errors and Solutions

Issue: VAT Calculations Incorrect

  • Solution: Verify tax rates and apply them correctly to products and services.

Issue: Mismatch in Balance Sheets

  • Solution: Regularly reconcile bank statements and use audit logs to trace discrepancies.

12. Invoicing and Payment Tracking Troubleshooting

Issue: Invoice Status Not Updating After Payment

  • Cause: Payment not linked to invoice.

  • Solution: Always link payments to specific invoices when recording them.

Issue: Duplicate Invoice Numbers

  • Solution: Set unique numbering masks under Setup > Dictionaries.

13. Email and Notification Configuration Issues

Issue: Emails Not Sending

  • Solutions:

    • Check SMTP configuration.

    • Use an SMTP testing tool.

    • Verify firewall settings.

Issue: Notification Delays

  • Solution: Optimize cron job settings and ensure your server is not blacklisted.

14. Document Management System (DMS) Problems

Issue: Cannot Upload Documents

  • Cause: PHP upload limits.

  • Solution: Increase upload_max_filesize in your server’s PHP settings.

Issue: File Permissions Denied

  • Solution: Ensure proper read/write permissions (typically 755 folders, 644 files).

15. Upgrade and Migration Difficulties

Issue: Errors During Upgrade

  • Solution:

    • Always backup before upgrading.

    • Follow official upgrade instructions.

    • Upgrade sequentially without skipping major versions.

Issue: Data Loss After Upgrade

  • Solution: Restore from backup and troubleshoot upgrade scripts.

16. Customization and Development Challenges

Issue: Custom Modules Break After Updates

  • Solution: Develop custom modules using Dolibarr’s best practices and namespaces to minimize conflicts.

Issue: Difficulty Extending Dolibarr Features

  • Solution: Use the Dolibarr developer documentation and examples from existing modules.

17. Best Practices for Ongoing Dolibarr Maintenance

  • Regularly backup your database and files.

  • Monitor server performance.

  • Keep Dolibarr and all modules updated.

  • Educate users on proper use and security practices.

  • Document customizations for easier troubleshooting.

18. Community Resources and Getting Help

  • Dolibarr Forums

  • Dolibarr GitHub issues

  • DoliStore Marketplace

  • Third-party Dolibarr consultants and support firms

Community participation often leads to faster solutions and better system optimization.

19. Conclusion

While Dolibarr is a reliable and versatile ERP CRM solution, occasional problems are inevitable. With a proactive approach to installation, configuration, performance, and security, these issues can be resolved efficiently. By following the solutions outlined in this article, businesses can maintain a stable Dolibarr environment and continue leveraging its full potential for efficient and cost-effective business management.