Hello, I am experiencing a significant SQL query issue on my Joomla 4 website, and I believe Route 66 is responsible.The site currently has: Joomla 4 (4.4.14) Route 66 (1.12.0) Route 66 Article URL pattern: {articleAlias} Route 66 Category URL pattern: {categoryAlias} When viewing a single Joomla article with Route 66 enabled, I noticed that a large number of the queries originate from: /plugins/route66/content/rules/article.php In particular, the following query is being executed 670+ times: SELECT `article`.`alias` FROM `#__content` AS `article` INNER JOIN `#__categories` AS `category` ON `article`.`catid` = `category`.`id` WHERE `article`.`id` = {ARTICLEID} I also noticed approximately 1,380+ executions of the Joomla TagsHelper query originating from: /libraries/src/Helper/TagsHelper.php For example: SELECT `m`.`tag_id`, `t`.* FROM `#__contentitem_tag_map` AS `m` INNER JOIN `#__tags` AS `t` ON `m`.`tag_id` = `t`.`id` WHERE `m`.`type_alias` = :contentType AND `m`.`content_item_id` = :id AND `t`.`published` = 1 AND `t`.`access` IN (...) Important test: I temporarily disabled Route 66 and loaded the exact same article page. The result changed dramatically: Route 66 enabled: 2,449 SQL statements 1,589 duplicates 860 unique Route 66 disabled: 165 SQL statements 46 duplicates 119 unique With Route 66 disabled: There are no queries originating from plugins/route66/content/rules/article.php The TagsHelper query is executed only once, rather than 1,380+ times. This strongly suggests that Route 66 is triggering the excessive repeated processing. I am particularly concerned because this is not simply a slow individual query; the problem appears to be the very large number of repeated queries generated during a single page request. I can provide the full Joomla Debug SQL output and/or additional logs if required. Thank you.
#1547
Posted in ‘Route 66’
Extremely high number of duplicate SQL queries on Joomla 4 article pages – Route 66 article.php
Latest post by Lefteris Kavadas on Tuesday, 01 September 2026 11:42 EEST
Saturday, 29 August 2026 16:59 EEST
Derek Blevins
Saturday, 29 August 2026 21:14 EEST
Lefteris Kavadas
Hello Derek,
Thank you for the detailed report and query comparisons.
Your website is currently using Route 66 1.12.0, which belongs to the discontinued 1.x series. This series is no longer maintained, and its routing implementation has since been replaced in Route 66 2.x. Therefore, we cannot provide a patch for the installed version.
Please proceed as follows:
- Create a complete backup of your website, including all files and the database.
- Disable the Route 66 – K2 plugin before beginning the upgrade, as it can cause issues during the process.
- Upgrade Joomla to a supported Joomla 5.x or Joomla 6.x release, following Joomla’s recommended upgrade path.
- Upgrade Route 66 to the latest available 2.x version.
- Clear the Joomla and browser caches, then test the affected article page again.
Route 66 2.x uses a rewritten routing system that includes request-level route caching and avoids the legacy article-alias processing path reported in your debug output.
After completing the upgrades, please let us know whether the excessive queries remain. If they do, send us fresh Joomla Debug SQL output generated with the latest Route 66 2.x version, and we will investigate the supported codebase further.
Best regards,
Lefteris
Tuesday, 01 September 2026 11:25 EEST
Derek Blevins
Hello,
I have updated Joomla to 5.4.8. After Update Route66 shows update pending for 2.x version and I have attempted to update. After update it throws error:
Failed opening required '/{PATH}/plugins/system/route66/lib/plugin.php' (include_path='.:{Default PHP include path}')
Some warnings as well but that can be ignored:The plg_content_route66metadata extension is part of a package which does not allow individual extensions to be uninstalled.The plg_content_route66seo extension is part of a package which does not allow individual extensions to be uninstalled.The plg_installer_route66 extension is part of a package which does not allow individual extensions to be uninstalled.The plg_k2_route66seo extension is part of a package which does not allow individual extensions to be uninstalled.The plg_route66_k2 extension is part of a package which does not allow individual extensions to be uninstalled.The plg_system_route66pagespeed extension is part of a package which does not allow individual extensions to be uninstalled.The MOD_ROUTE66SEO extension is part of a package which does not allow individual extensions to be uninstalled.
I have updated Joomla to 5.4.8. After Update Route66 shows update pending for 2.x version and I have attempted to update. After update it throws error:
Failed opening required '/{PATH}/plugins/system/route66/lib/plugin.php' (include_path='.:{Default PHP include path}')
Some warnings as well but that can be ignored:The plg_content_route66metadata extension is part of a package which does not allow individual extensions to be uninstalled.The plg_content_route66seo extension is part of a package which does not allow individual extensions to be uninstalled.The plg_installer_route66 extension is part of a package which does not allow individual extensions to be uninstalled.The plg_k2_route66seo extension is part of a package which does not allow individual extensions to be uninstalled.The plg_route66_k2 extension is part of a package which does not allow individual extensions to be uninstalled.The plg_system_route66pagespeed extension is part of a package which does not allow individual extensions to be uninstalled.The MOD_ROUTE66SEO extension is part of a package which does not allow individual extensions to be uninstalled.
Tuesday, 01 September 2026 11:39 EEST
Derek Blevins
Hello again,
I have disabled extensions those which shows warning after installation, it seems they are no longer in use and need to uninstall:Content - Route 66 Metadata Site Plugin 1.12.0Content - Route 66 SEO Site Plugin 1.12.0Installer - Route 66 Site Plugin 1.9.6K2 - Route 66 SEO Site Plugin 1.9.6Route 66 - eShop Site Plugin 1.9.6Route 66 - HikaShop Site Plugin 1.9.6Route 66 - K2 Site Plugin 1.9.6Route 66 - Virtuemart Site Plugin 1.9.6Route 66 SEO Administrator Module 1.12.0System - Route 66 Google PageSpeed Site Plugin 1.12.0Site seems working now and also database utilisation seems normal.
I have disabled extensions those which shows warning after installation, it seems they are no longer in use and need to uninstall:Content - Route 66 Metadata Site Plugin 1.12.0Content - Route 66 SEO Site Plugin 1.12.0Installer - Route 66 Site Plugin 1.9.6K2 - Route 66 SEO Site Plugin 1.9.6Route 66 - eShop Site Plugin 1.9.6Route 66 - HikaShop Site Plugin 1.9.6Route 66 - K2 Site Plugin 1.9.6Route 66 - Virtuemart Site Plugin 1.9.6Route 66 SEO Administrator Module 1.12.0System - Route 66 Google PageSpeed Site Plugin 1.12.0Site seems working now and also database utilisation seems normal.
Tuesday, 01 September 2026 11:42 EEST
Lefteris Kavadas
Hello Derek,
Thank you for the update. This confirms that the error was caused by legacy Route 66 1.x extensions remaining enabled after the upgrade. Once disabled, they stopped attempting to load the removed plugins/system/route66/lib/plugin.php file.
It is also good to hear that the site is working and database utilization has returned to normal.
Please leave the listed 1.x extensions disabled for now. There is no need to uninstall them individually, as Joomla may prevent this because they belong to the original Route 66 package.
We have identified the installer issue that can re-enable legacy extensions and will address it in an update.
Best regards,
Lefteris
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