How to Turn Off PHP Errors in WordPress

Introduction

Running a WordPress site is exciting—until those unexpected PHP error messages pop up on your screen. You might see warnings, notices, or even fatal errors showing up at the top of your website, confusing visitors and making your site look broken. If you’ve ever thought, “I just want to know how to turn off PHP errors in WordPress without messing things up,” you’re not alone.

PHP errors often appear after updating plugins, themes, or WordPress itself. While they’re useful for developers during debugging, they can be distracting—and even harmful—if shown on a live website. The good news? You can safely hide or disable these messages without damaging your site. In this article, we’ll walk through why these errors appear, how to turn them off step by step, and what precautions you should take before making changes. By the end, you’ll have a cleaner, more professional-looking website that visitors can trust.

Why PHP Errors Show Up in WordPress

Before diving into the fix, it helps to know why these errors happen.

• Plugin or theme conflicts – When different pieces of code don’t play nicely together.
• Outdated code – Old plugins or themes may not match the latest PHP version.
• Server settings – Your hosting environment might be stricter with error reporting.
• Debug mode turned on – WordPress has a built-in debugging tool that might be set to display errors.

In short, these messages aren’t always signs of a “broken” site, but they do look unprofessional if your visitors can see them. That’s why turning them off is usually the best move on a live site.

The Easiest Way: Disable Debug Mode

The fastest way to turn off PHP errors in WordPress is by editing your site’s configuration file.

1. Log in to your hosting account or connect via FTP.
2. Open your website’s root folder and find a file called wp-config.php.
3. Look for this line of code (or add it if it’s missing): define('WP_DEBUG', false);

This single line tells WordPress not to display PHP errors on your site. If you also see these related lines, make sure they’re set correctly:

define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', false);
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);

By setting false, you’re making sure that errors are hidden from public view.

Alternative Method: Use PHP.ini or .htaccess

Sometimes, editing wp-config.php isn’t enough—especially if your hosting environment overrides those settings. In that case, you can control PHP errors directly through server files.

• Using php.ini:
  Add or update these lines: display_errors = Off log_errors = On
• Using .htaccess:
  Add this snippet: php_flag display_errors Off php_flag log_errors On

Both methods will hide error messages but still allow them to be logged for debugging.

Should You Completely Turn Off PHP Errors?

Here’s the catch: while hiding errors makes your site look professional, you don’t want to ignore them completely. Errors often point to issues that could cause problems down the road.

A smart approach is:

• Hide errors from visitors (using the steps above).
• Log errors privately so you can review them later.
• Fix the root cause—update plugins, themes, or PHP version.

This way, you’re not sweeping problems under the rug—you’re just handling them responsibly.

Tools That Can Help

If editing files sounds intimidating, you can use plugins that manage debugging and error logging for you. Some popular ones include:

• Error Log Monitor – Helps you view error logs inside your dashboard.
• WP Debugging – A plugin that toggles debug settings without editing code.

These are especially useful if you’re not comfortable diving into server files.

Best Practices to Prevent Future Errors

Instead of repeatedly turning off PHP errors, it’s better to prevent them in the first place. Here’s how:

• Keep WordPress updated – Always use the latest version of WordPress core.
• Update plugins and themes – Developers release fixes regularly.
• Check compatibility – Before installing new plugins, confirm they work with your PHP version.
• Upgrade PHP – Running an old version of PHP increases error risks. Most hosts let you upgrade easily.
• Use staging sites – Test updates in a safe environment before applying them to your live site.

Following these habits reduces the chances of errors appearing in the first place.

Quick Recap

Here’s what we covered on how to turn off PHP errors in WordPress:

• Errors usually show up due to conflicts, outdated code, or debugging mode.
• You can hide them by editing wp-config.php, php.ini, or .htaccess.
• It’s best to hide errors from visitors but log them privately for fixes.
• Plugins like WP Debugging can simplify error management.
• Prevent errors with regular updates and good site management practices.

Final Thoughts

Seeing PHP errors across your WordPress site can feel overwhelming, but the fix is straightforward. Whether you edit wp-config.php, adjust server settings, or use a plugin, you now know exactly how to turn off PHP errors in WordPress safely. Just remember: while hiding errors makes your site look cleaner, don’t forget to check the logs and address the actual issues causing them.

A professional-looking website doesn’t just hide errors—it runs smoothly because you’ve tackled the problems behind the scenes. If you want to keep learning more WordPress tips and troubleshooting tricks, explore our other guides to stay one step ahead.