Title: Fatal activation error — parse error: syntax error — please help! Last modified: August 19, 2016 --- # Fatal activation error — parse error: syntax error — please help! * [EricWordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ericwordpress/) * (@ericwordpress) * [15 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-activation-error-parse-error-syntax-error-please-help/) * Hi. * I’m a veteran WordPress installer (and user), with well over 100 installations over the last 5 years. * I tried installing and activating P2, as I would do any theme, and I immediately get the following error message: * **Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_OBJECT_OPERATOR in breakingnews.pro/ wp-content/themes/p2/functions.php on line 56** * I tried uninstalling and re-installing twice. I also tried downloading the installer. ZIP file again, in case I had a corrupted file. No matter what I try, I get the same error message. * I’m running WordPress 3.1.1 * This theme looks fantastic and absolutely perfect for my need. Any help you can provide would be **greatly appreciated**! Thank you! Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total) * [mgiulio](https://wordpress.org/support/users/giuliom/) * (@giuliom) * [15 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-activation-error-parse-error-syntax-error-please-help/#post-2027988) * Hi, are you running on PHP 4? See these posts: - [T Object Operator](http://wordpress.org/support/topic/t-object-operator?replies=9) - [Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_OBJECT_OPERATOR](http://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-syntax-error-unexpected-t_object_operator-2?replies=4) * If you can’t switch to PHP5 a quick patch could be(not tested) the replacement of the offending line with the following two lines: * ``` $userdata = get_userdata( $values['id'] ); $username = $userdata->user_login; ``` * But I guess you will get some other similar errors. * Thread Starter [EricWordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ericwordpress/) * (@ericwordpress) * [15 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-activation-error-parse-error-syntax-error-please-help/#post-2028127) * Hi Giuliom. Thank you for your reply. I really appreciate your thoughts. * I am running PHP 5.2.14 * I have been combing support forums for a solution. No luck yet. * Thanks, again, for your help. Feel free to chime in with any other ideas to try. * — Eric * [K-Fella](https://wordpress.org/support/users/k-fella/) * (@k-fella) * [15 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-activation-error-parse-error-syntax-error-please-help/#post-2028131) * What does line 56 read? * [mgiulio](https://wordpress.org/support/users/giuliom/) * (@giuliom) * [15 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-activation-error-parse-error-syntax-error-please-help/#post-2028133) * [@k-fella](https://wordpress.org/support/users/k-fella/): `$username = get_userdata( $values['id'] )->user_login;` * [mgiulio](https://wordpress.org/support/users/giuliom/) * (@giuliom) * [15 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-activation-error-parse-error-syntax-error-please-help/#post-2028134) * I tested the P2 activation on a WP 3.1/PHP 5.3.3: no problems. * Thread Starter [EricWordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ericwordpress/) * (@ericwordpress) * [15 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-activation-error-parse-error-syntax-error-please-help/#post-2028136) * Hi K-Fella and Giuliom. * Other users are reporting the very same problem, as noted here: * [http://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-syntax-error-with-latest-version-123?replies=4](http://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-syntax-error-with-latest-version-123?replies=4) * Same P2 (1.2.3) and same PHP (5.2.14). * It seems user “atkima” figured out the solution, but didn’t report what it was. And I have been unable to track him down for an answer. * P2 would be absolutely perfect for my needs. I REALLY appreciate any and all help. Thanks so much! * — Eric * [daveinvienna](https://wordpress.org/support/users/daveinvienna/) * (@daveinvienna) * [15 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-activation-error-parse-error-syntax-error-please-help/#post-2028174) * I’m having what may be a related problem. I just updated to 3.1.2 and updated several plugins. Now I cannot even get to the webpage. When I enter the URL, I get this error message: * Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_STRING, expecting T_OLD_FUNCTION or T_FUNCTION or T_VAR or ‘}’ in /nfs/c07/h01/mnt/102165/domains/inmozartsfootsteps.com/html/ wp-content/plugins/wp-recaptcha/recaptcha.php on line 8 * The site is inmozartsfootsteps.com * I would really appreciate someone’s help. This site is for a business I run by myself and right now, I’m dead in the water! * Thanks David * [JuanBuitron](https://wordpress.org/support/users/juanbuitron/) * (@juanbuitron) * [15 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-activation-error-parse-error-syntax-error-please-help/#post-2028175) * i am having the same problem… i downloaded a plugin and then i tried to put the code in my theme functions and when i updated this pop up: * Parse error: syntax error, unexpected ‘<‘ in /home/freedomf/public_html/wp-content/ themes/tycoon/functions.php on line 9 * ————– * i totally new to wordpress and have no idea how to fix this or any idea what would cause this… * i cant even login to my admin page… * Please help! * Thank you Juan B. Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total) The topic ‘Fatal activation error — parse error: syntax error — please help!’ is closed to new replies. * 8 replies * 5 participants * Last reply from: [JuanBuitron](https://wordpress.org/support/users/juanbuitron/) * Last activity: [15 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-activation-error-parse-error-syntax-error-please-help/#post-2028175) * Status: not resolved ## Topics ### Topics with no replies ### Non-support topics ### Resolved topics ### Unresolved topics ### All topics