Title: Can&#039;t Activate (Parse Error)
Last modified: August 22, 2016

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# Can't Activate (Parse Error)

 *  Resolved [Rick](https://wordpress.org/support/users/rferrall/)
 * (@rferrall)
 * [11 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cant-activate-parse-error/)
 * Trying to activate BackupWordpress I run into this:
 * `Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_STRING in .../wp-content/plugins/backupwordpress/
   backupwordpress.php on line 34`
 * Which corresponds to this line:
 * `namespace HM\BackUpWordPress;`
 * Running WordPress 4.1, PHP 5.2.
 * Any suggestions or if I need to supply more info, I can. Thank you.
 * [https://wordpress.org/plugins/backupwordpress/](https://wordpress.org/plugins/backupwordpress/)

Viewing 10 replies - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)

 *  [brdecloss](https://wordpress.org/support/users/brdecloss/)
 * (@brdecloss)
 * [11 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cant-activate-parse-error/#post-5755997)
 * I too get the same error. This worked fine several weeks ago. I deleted the plugin,
   re-installed it and recently installed the upgrade. However, when I try to activate
   I get the above exact same message. I’m running wordpress 4.1, not sure what 
   version of PHP (how do I find that out?), and we’re using the Presswork Child
   theme.
 *  [generalmacbeth](https://wordpress.org/support/users/generalmacbeth/)
 * (@generalmacbeth)
 * [11 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cant-activate-parse-error/#post-5756011)
 * Same problem here. PHP 5.4. Upgraded from 3.0 to 3.1.3 and couldn’t reactivate
   the plugin because of this error.
 * Sorry, just to be clear – WordPress 4.1
 *  [loggerjack](https://wordpress.org/support/users/loggerjack/)
 * (@loggerjack)
 * [11 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cant-activate-parse-error/#post-5756037)
 * Ditto me. Been using BackUpWordPress with no problems for over a year. Today 
   I updated it and got the white screen of death, lost all access to my website
   and dashboard. I renamed the BackUpWordPress folder in my cPanel and regained
   access. Deleted plugin and installed it again, then got the exact same error 
   message as everyone else here:
 * Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_STRING in /home4/mywebsite/public_html/
   wp-content/plugins/backupwordpress/backupwordpress.php on line 34
 * I’m running wordpress 4.1.
 * It looks like this is a bug associated with the latest update. I hope you can
   fix it because I’m very pleased with this plugin up till now, (thanks!) If anyone
   wants any more detail on my setup, please ask.
 *  [loggerjack](https://wordpress.org/support/users/loggerjack/)
 * (@loggerjack)
 * [11 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cant-activate-parse-error/#post-5756038)
 * Sorry, should have included PHP version = 5.4
 *  [CLGolden](https://wordpress.org/support/users/clgolden/)
 * (@clgolden)
 * [11 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cant-activate-parse-error/#post-5756039)
 * Ditto for us. Except we just get a white screen. We’re running 4.1 on BlueHost,
   so the PHP should be current. I tried manually installing v3.1.3, but no joy.
 * Love the plugin. I’ll be looking for a fix.
    Best! ~ Christine
 *  [Palmstead](https://wordpress.org/support/users/palmstead/)
 * (@palmstead)
 * [11 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cant-activate-parse-error/#post-5756044)
 * I’m right there with everybody. I can’t access my site through wordpress platform.
 * Update:
    I followed the suggestion above regarding removing the plugin thru my
   Cpanel. i gained access back to my wordpress platform. I will follow this thread
   to see a solution before I re-install the plugin.
 *  Plugin Contributor [Paul de Wouters](https://wordpress.org/support/users/pauldewouters/)
 * (@pauldewouters)
 * [11 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cant-activate-parse-error/#post-5756062)
 * Yes, that’s correct. You need PHP 5.3.2 or higher for BackUpWordPress to activate.
   
   If you run into this error, then your server is running PHP 5.2 and it doesn’t
   recognize the `namespace` keyword
 *  [generalmacbeth](https://wordpress.org/support/users/generalmacbeth/)
 * (@generalmacbeth)
 * [11 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cant-activate-parse-error/#post-5756063)
 * I can verify that that’s not the case. Running PHP 5.4, and still getting this
   error.
 *  [loggerjack](https://wordpress.org/support/users/loggerjack/)
 * (@loggerjack)
 * [11 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cant-activate-parse-error/#post-5756073)
 * Although my server OFFERS 5.4, I found when I checked my account that it was 
   configured for 5.2. Sorry for giving incorrect information above. I have re-configured
   my account to PHP 5.4 and now BackUpWordpress works fine again. Yippeeee.
    Thanks
   Paul for your support and a great plugin.
 *  [CLGolden](https://wordpress.org/support/users/clgolden/)
 * (@clgolden)
 * [11 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cant-activate-parse-error/#post-5756076)
 * That last post inspired me to call BlueHost and I found out the troublesome site
   has PHP 5.2 running. There is a PHP Config file we updated under Hosting > cPanel
   > Software / Services > php Config. Now it’s at 5.4 and BackupWordPress has been
   activated.
 * So sorry for not checking deeper first. Thanks for everyone’s sharing.

Viewing 10 replies - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)

The topic ‘Can't Activate (Parse Error)’ is closed to new replies.

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## Tags

 * [activate](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/activate/)
 * [parse-error](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/parse-error/)

 * 10 replies
 * 7 participants
 * Last reply from: [CLGolden](https://wordpress.org/support/users/clgolden/)
 * Last activity: [11 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/cant-activate-parse-error/#post-5756076)
 * Status: resolved