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I moved my Laravel project to a new laptop. I installed the Composer, the same PHP 8.1.33 package, and WampServer version. I am encountering errors related to php_mysqli.dll and php_pdo_mysql.dll. I don't know how to solve them.
I used GitHub Copilot to assist me. Built this far. I believe it is trying to connect to the database, but I am unable to build this part. Any help is highly appreciated.
PROBLEMS STILL REMAINING:
PHP cannot load php_mysqli.dll and php_pdo_mysql.dll (error: "The specified module could not be found").
Extensions do not appear in phpinfo.php or php -m.
All configuration and environment steps have been repeated and verified.
No issues found in error logs or Event Viewer.
The problem persists even after copying fresh DLLs and confirming all settings.
TASK COMPLETED:
Verified PHP version (8.1.33) and confirmed correct php.ini path.
Enabled extension=pdo_mysql and extension=mysqli in php.ini.
Checked and set extension_dir to the correct path.
Installed the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable (2015–2022 x64).
Downloaded the official PHP 8.1.33 VS16 x64 Thread Safe ZIP.
Copied php_mysqli.dll and php_pdo_mysql.dll from the ZIP to the ext folder.
Checked file names, sizes, and permissions for the DLLs.
Restarted WAMP services multiple times.
Used WAMP tray icon to enable extensions.
Verified 64-bit architecture for WAMP, PHP, and DLLs.
Ran php -m and checked phpinfo.php for loaded extensions.
Checked error logs and Windows Event Viewer for clues.
Ensured no duplicate/conflicting DLLs elsewhere.
Just a suggestion, I just get the various zip files from Mariadb, PHP, and Apache lounge and setup myself.
Yes first time a learning curve, but after that it goes real fast.
Or you can use Nginx instead of Apache.
Also DIgital Ocean has many articles on this stuff.
why use wamp, just 'php artisan serve'?
@Randy_Johnson Why would that work if the PHP extensions aren't enabled?
Have you enabled the extensions in the correct php.ini file? Typically, two php.ini files are used: one for the command line, and one for the web server. I don't remember their locations in WAMP, and those may have changed over the years.
@JussiMannisto, I did not see the extension in the php.ini file. Do you know why?
It is a stressful debug tbh. Why not try xampp instead or Herd?
@jsanwo64 You are so right. I was facing so many challenges on my new laptop. The composer was easy, but PHP and MySQL were not. I will try Xampp soon.
And there is still Laragon...
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