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How Do I Create an Error Log in WordPress?

Published in WordPress Development 3 mins read

Creating an error log in WordPress is essential for troubleshooting and debugging issues. Here's how you can achieve this:

1. Enable WordPress Debugging Mode

The first step is to enable WordPress debugging mode. This will display detailed error messages on your website, which can help you identify the source of the problem. To enable debugging mode, follow these steps:

  1. Access your wp-config.php file: This file is located in the root directory of your WordPress installation.
  2. Add the following lines of code:
define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );
define( 'WP_DEBUG_LOG', true );
define( 'WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false );
  • WP_DEBUG: Enables debugging mode.
  • WP_DEBUG_LOG: Logs errors to a file called debug.log.
  • WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY: Displays error messages on the website. Setting it to false will prevent errors from being shown on your website.

2. Access Your Error Log

Once debugging mode is enabled, you can access your error log file. This file is typically located in the wp-content directory of your WordPress installation. It's named debug.log.

You can access this file using an FTP client or your hosting control panel's file manager.

3. Analyze Error Messages

The error log file will contain detailed information about any errors that have occurred on your website. This information can help you identify the source of the problem and take steps to fix it.

Example of an error log entry:

[08-Apr-2023 15:42:12 UTC] PHP Notice:  Undefined index: some_variable in /path/to/your/plugin/file.php on line 123

4. Disable Debugging Mode

Once you have resolved the issue, it's important to disable debugging mode. This is because displaying error messages on your website can be a security risk. To disable debugging mode, simply remove or comment out the lines of code you added to your wp-config.php file.

5. Additional Tips

  • Use a dedicated logging plugin: Several plugins are available to help you manage and analyze your error logs. Some popular options include Debug Bar and WP Error Log.
  • Monitor your error log regularly: Regularly checking your error log can help you identify potential problems early on.
  • Be careful with error messages: Error messages can contain sensitive information about your website. It's important to handle them carefully and not share them publicly.

By following these steps, you can create an error log in WordPress and use it to troubleshoot and debug issues on your website.

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