n8n 3.0: check this before you upgrade

n8n 3.0 is scheduled for October 2026. On 4 Oct 2026 the latest release was still 2.41.6.

The checklist

1. Installed with npm or npx? 3.0 no longer supports it. Move to Docker while you are still on 2.x.
2. Back up first: the database and the .n8n folder, which holds your encryption key. Keep the backup off the server.
3. Settings > Migration Report: replace every node it lists (Function, Item Lists, Cron, Interval and others).
4. Long Code nodes: the default task timeout drops from 300 seconds to 60. Set N8N_RUNNERS_TASK_TIMEOUT=300 before upgrading, or split the work.
5. Upgrade a copy first, then change the image tag on the real one.

The full list, with sources

• n8n 3.0: what changes for a self-hosted install