Title: Error activating plugin
Last modified: January 20, 2017

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# Error activating plugin

 *  Resolved [ricardoaraujo330](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ricardoaraujo330/)
 * (@ricardoaraujo330)
 * [9 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-activating-plugin-26/)
 * Hello!
 * I love the plugin, but with the last updates this error appeared:
 * “The plugin generated 3206 characters of unexpected results during activation.
   If you notice messages from “headers already sent”, problems with feeds or other
   problems, try to disable or remove this plugin.”
 * How can i fix it?

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

 *  [Farbweiss](https://wordpress.org/support/users/farbweiss/)
 * (@farbweiss)
 * [9 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-activating-plugin-26/#post-8677651)
 * I have the same problems with latest version. After activation I get nice errors
   thrown out on the frontend:
 * Warning: preg_match(): Delimiter must not be alphanumeric or backslash in xxx/
   wp-content/plugins/wp-spamshield/includes/class.utils.php on line 665
 * Warning: preg_match(): No ending delimiter ‘~’ found in xxx/wp-spamshield/includes/
   class.utils.php on line 665
 * Warning: preg_match(): Delimiter must not be alphanumeric or backslash in xxx/
   wp-content/plugins/wp-spamshield/includes/class.utils.php on line 665
 * Warning: preg_match(): No ending delimiter ‘~’ found in xxx/wp-content/plugins/
   wp-spamshield/includes/class.utils.php on line 665
 * Warning: preg_match(): Delimiter must not be alphanumeric or backslash in xxx/
   wp-content/plugins/wp-spamshield/includes/class.utils.php on line 665
 * I used the forms on : [https://www.redsandmarketing.com/plugins/wp-spamshield/support/](https://www.redsandmarketing.com/plugins/wp-spamshield/support/)–
   > you should do the same.
 * I hope there will be a fix soon. Until than I have to disable the plugin.
 *  Plugin Contributor [rsm-support](https://wordpress.org/support/users/rsm-support/)
 * (@rsm-support)
 * [9 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-activating-plugin-26/#post-8677667)
 * Hi [@ricardoaraujo330](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ricardoaraujo330/),
 * At the top of the support forum there is a [sticky post](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/faqs-troubleshooting-please-read-first?replies=4)
   that we ask users to read first because it guides you to excellent troubleshooting
   options we have already put together for our plugin users.
 * We will be happy to help you. You will need to take the following steps:
    1. **The [Troubleshooting Guide](https://www.redsandmarketing.com/plugins/wp-spamshield/troubleshooting-guide/)
       and [Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)](https://www.redsandmarketing.com/plugins/wp-spamshield/faqs/)
       are the place to start.**
    2. Please take a few minutes to work through these, as _they solve over 90% of 
       issues users have_. (Please be sure to _follow all the steps, not just read 
       through them_.) The issue _might not be what you suspect_.
    3. Once you have gone through the Troubleshooting Guide and FAQs, if that doesn’t
       solve the issue, we’ll need a bit more info from you on the specifics, and we’ll
       need to email back and forth, so you should move on to the next step.
    4. **Submit a support request using the secure form at the [WP-SpamShield Support page](https://www.redsandmarketing.com/plugins/wp-spamshield/support/),
       our main support channel for the plugin.** We have an excellent diagnostic process.
 * That will allow us to help you diagnose this, find out what the real issue is,
   and get things working right for you.
 * – Steven
 * **_Please note that the [WP-SpamShield Support page](https://www.redsandmarketing.com/plugins/wp-spamshield/support/)
   is our main support venue, not the WordPress forums here, so that will always
   be the best way to get a quick response and resolve any tech support issues. 
   Please direct any further support questions there._**
 * [@farbweiss](https://wordpress.org/support/users/farbweiss/),
 * We just received your support request. Check your email in a few minutes and 
   we’ll go from there. 🙂
 * – Steven
 *  Plugin Contributor [redsand](https://wordpress.org/support/users/redsand/)
 * (@redsand)
 * [9 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-activating-plugin-26/#post-8681915)
 * **Update: Version 1.9.9.8.6 has been released.** Issues affecting a small subset
   of 1.9.9.8.5 users have been resolved. An option to disable auto-updates has 
   been added to the settings page, along with an advanced option to force-disable
   automatic updates and remove the option from the settings page. (This would be
   useful for multisite admins.) To disable auto-updates in the settings page, just
   uncheck the box for “Enable Automatic Updates” and click “Save Changes”. To use
   the advanced option, add the following code to the `wp-config.php` file (before
   it says to stop editing):
 *     ```
       define( 'WPSS_AUTOUP_DISABLE', TRUE );
       ```
   
 * That should make everyone happy. 🙂
 * – Scott

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

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 * 3 replies
 * 4 participants
 * Last reply from: [redsand](https://wordpress.org/support/users/redsand/)
 * Last activity: [9 years, 4 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-activating-plugin-26/#post-8681915)
 * Status: resolved