How to resolve Syntax Errors Occur in WordPress

What is Syntax Errors Occur in WordPress ?
A syntax error in WordPress occurs when there’s an error in the code that stops the website from working properly.

Just like a sentence needs the right words and punctuation to make sense, code also needs to follow certain rules. If something is missing or wrong — like a symbol or bracket — WordPress gets confused and shows a syntax error.

syntax error
Why Syntax Errors Happen in WordPress
  1. Missing symbols: Forgetting things like semicolons (;) or brackets.
  2. Wrong PHP tags: Not closing tags properly (?>) or using the wrong ones.
  3. Mismatched brackets: Opening brackets but not closing them.
  4. Copy-paste mistakes: Adding broken or incomplete code from other sites.
  5. Wrong characters: Using special symbols incorrectly inside text.
How to Fix Syntax Errors in WordPress (Simple Guide)
  1. Find the Error
    • The error message will tell you which file and line number has the problem. Example:
    Parse error: syntax error, unexpected ‘}’ in /wp-content/themes/yourtheme/functions.php on line 45
  2. Access Your Site Files
    • If you can’t log into WordPress:
      • Use an FTP tool like FileZilla or your web host’s file manager.
      • Go to /wp-content/ and find the file mentioned in the error.
  3. Fix the Code
    • Open the file and look at the problem line or nearby lines.
    • Check for missing symbols like semicolons ;, unclosed brackets {} or parentheses ().
    • Save the file and re-upload if using FTP.
  4. Restore a Backup (If Needed)
    • If you’re not sure what to fix, restore an older working backup.
  5. Turn on Debugging
    • Open the wp-config.php file and add these lines:
      define(‘WP_DEBUG’, true); define(‘WP_DEBUG_LOG’, true); define(‘WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY’, false);
    • Check the debug log at /wp-content/debug.log for more details.
  6. Ask for Help
    • If it still doesn’t work, contact your theme or plugin support or a WordPress developer.