I was trying to update packages to fix security issues when I hit the classic dependency nightmare: laravel/pulse and power-components/livewire-powergrid needs livewire/livewire:^3, but I need to upgrade to livewire/livewire:^4. Composer refuses to budge, can’t update one without the other, can’t update both separately. Classic.
The Error#
Here’s what happens when you try to update just Livewire:
❯ sail composer require livewire/livewire:'^4'
./composer.json has been updated
Running composer update livewire/livewire
Loading composer repositories with package information
Updating dependencies
Your requirements could not be resolved to an installable set of packages.
Problem 1
- Root composer.json requires livewire/livewire ^4, found livewire/livewire[v4.0.0, ..., v4.1.2] but these were not loaded, likely because it conflicts with another require.
Problem 2
- laravel/pulse is locked to version v1.4.0 and an update of this package was not requested.
- laravel/pulse v1.4.0 requires livewire/livewire ^3.4.9 -> found livewire/livewire[v3.4.9, ..., v3.7.8] but it conflicts with your root composer.json require (^4).
Problem 3
- power-components/livewire-powergrid is locked to version v6.7.7 and an update of this package was not requested.
- power-components/livewire-powergrid v6.7.7 requires livewire/livewire ^3.7|^4.0 -> found livewire/livewire[v3.7.0, ..., v3.7.8, v4.0.0, ..., v4.1.2] but these were not loaded, likely because it conflicts with another require.
Use the option --with-all-dependencies (-W) to allow upgrades, downgrades and removals for packages currently locked to specific versions.
Installation failed, reverting ./composer.json and ./composer.lock to their original content.
Composer is basically saying: “I found the versions you want, but I refuse to install them because of locked dependencies.”
The Solution#
Update all conflicting packages in a single command with the -W flag (with-all-dependencies):
❯ sail composer require livewire/livewire:'^4.1' laravel/pulse:'^1.5' power-components/livewire-powergrid:'^6.7' -W
./composer.json has been updated
Running composer update livewire/livewire laravel/pulse power-components/livewire-powergrid --with-all-dependencies
Loading composer repositories with package information
Updating dependencies
Lock file operations: 0 installs, 3 updates, 0 removals
- Upgrading doctrine/sql-formatter (1.5.2 => 1.5.3)
- Upgrading laravel/pulse (v1.4.0 => v1.5.0)
- Upgrading livewire/livewire (v3.7.8 => v4.1.2)
Writing lock file
Installing dependencies from lock file (including require-dev)
Package operations: 0 installs, 3 updates, 0 removals
- Downloading livewire/livewire (v4.1.2)
- Downloading doctrine/sql-formatter (1.5.3)
- Downloading laravel/pulse (v1.5.0)
- Upgrading livewire/livewire (v3.7.8 => v4.1.2): Extracting archive
- Upgrading doctrine/sql-formatter (1.5.2 => 1.5.3): Extracting archive
- Upgrading laravel/pulse (v1.4.0 => v1.5.0): Extracting archive
Generating optimized autoload files
> Illuminate\Foundation\ComposerScripts::postAutoloadDump
> @php artisan package:discover --ansi
INFO Discovering packages.
barryvdh/laravel-debugbar ...................................................................................................... DONE
cmixin/business-day ............................................................................................................ DONE
laravel/boost .................................................................................................................. DONE
laravel/breeze ................................................................................................................. DONE
laravel/mcp .................................................................................................................... DONE
laravel/pail ................................................................................................................... DONE
laravel/pulse .................................................................................................................. DONE
laravel/roster ................................................................................................................. DONE
laravel/sail ................................................................................................................... DONE
laravel/sanctum ................................................................................................................ DONE
laravel/telescope .............................................................................................................. DONE
laravel/tinker ................................................................................................................. DONE
laravolt/avatar ................................................................................................................ DONE
laravolt/indonesia ............................................................................................................. DONE
livewire/livewire .............................................................................................................. DONE
nesbot/carbon .................................................................................................................. DONE
nunomaduro/collision ........................................................................................................... DONE
nunomaduro/termwind ............................................................................................................ DONE
opcodesio/log-viewer ........................................................................................................... DONE
owen-it/laravel-auditing ....................................................................................................... DONE
power-components/livewire-powergrid ............................................................................................ DONE
tightenco/ziggy ................................................................................................................ DONE
98 packages you are using are looking for funding.
Use the `composer fund` command to find out more!
> @php artisan vendor:publish --tag=laravel-assets --ansi --force
INFO No publishable resources for tag [laravel-assets].
Found 1 security vulnerability advisory affecting 1 package.
Run "composer audit" for a full list of advisories.
That’s it. By specifying all the interdependent packages together and using -W, Composer resolves everything in one go.
Key Takeaway#
When you hit circular dependency conflicts, don’t try updating packages one by one. List all the conflicting packages in a single composer require command with the -W flag. It forces Composer to resolve the entire dependency tree at once instead of fighting you at every step.
(Oh, and that remaining security vulnerability? It’s in dev dependencies. I’ll fix it later. Priorities, right?)