Title: Fatal Error Message From WordPress
Last modified: April 16, 2026

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# Fatal Error Message From WordPress

 *  [Colin](https://wordpress.org/support/users/wpcol/)
 * (@wpcol)
 * [1 month, 3 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-error-message-from-wordpress/)
 * Hi,
 * I received an email saying: WordPress has a built-in feature that detects when
   a plugin or theme causes a fatal error on your site, and notifies you with this
   automated email. In this case, WordPress caught an error with one of your plugins,
   Modern Events Calendar.
 * I contacted Modern Events Calendar and they said there was no major issue and
   the error was caused by a small typo in line 15 of the file, which triggered 
   a PHP syntax error.
 * How do I know if there was a fatal error, or just there was no major issue?
 * Thanks.
 * The page I need help with: _[[log in](https://login.wordpress.org/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwordpress.org%2Fsupport%2Ftopic%2Ffatal-error-message-from-wordpress%2F%3Foutput_format%3Dmd&locale=en_US)
   to see the link]_

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

 *  Moderator [threadi](https://wordpress.org/support/users/threadi/)
 * (@threadi)
 * [1 month, 3 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-error-message-from-wordpress/#post-18881934)
 * When WordPress displays this message, it means a PHP error has occurred. That’s
   a fact, and the plugin’s support team has apparently recognized this and identified
   the cause. I imagine they’ll release a fix for it soon.
 * As a user, however, you did everything right by contacting the support team for
   the plugin that caused the error.
 *  [Jainil Nagar](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jainilnagar/)
 * (@jainilnagar)
 * [1 month, 3 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-error-message-from-wordpress/#post-18881961)
 * That email is triggered when WordPress detects a **PHP fatal error**, so in your
   case there was a fatal error at some point.
 * Not all fatal errors are major in terms of impact. Even something as small as
   a typo, like a syntax error, can cause a fatal error in PHP, which will stop 
   the script from executing and trigger that notification.
 * The plugin support confirmed that they have identified the issue and it is a 
   minor issue then should not have any major impact on your site and they will 
   resolve it and release a new update.
 *  [franrival](https://wordpress.org/support/users/franrival/)
 * (@franrival)
 * [1 month, 3 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-error-message-from-wordpress/#post-18882938)
 * ![](https://i0.wp.com/images2.imgbox.com/7d/a0/Khv8zAfz_o.jpeg?ssl=1)
 * The solution might simply be to update the PHP version in cPanel.
 * This happens because plugins aren’t always tested with the latest version of 
   WordPress. 
 *  [Muhammad Imanudin](https://wordpress.org/support/users/omgiman/)
 * (@omgiman)
 * [1 month, 3 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-error-message-from-wordpress/#post-18882973)
 * Check your PHP version. If it’s not 8.3, switch to 8.3 since that’s the safest
   option now.
 *  [Md. Aminul Islam](https://wordpress.org/support/users/wpdevsxyz/)
 * (@wpdevsxyz)
 * [1 month, 3 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-error-message-from-wordpress/#post-18883665)
 * Hi Colin,
 * To verify if a fatal error actually occurred, follow these steps:
 * 1. Enable WordPress Debug Log — Add to wp-config.php:
 * define(‘WP_DEBUG’, true);
    define(‘WP_DEBUG_LOG’, true); define(‘WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY’,
   false);
 * Then check /wp-content/debug.log — it will show the exact error with timestamp.
 * 2. Check Server Error Logs — via cPanel → Error Logs, you will see PHP fatal 
   errors logged there too.
 * 3. Use Query Monitor plugin — it shows real-time PHP errors in your admin dashboard.
 * Since Modern Events Calendar confirmed a syntax error in line 15, yes — a PHP
   fatal error did occur. However, WordPress’s built-in Recovery Mode likely kept
   your site running for visitors. Once the plugin releases an update with the fix,
   update immediately and the errors should stop.
 * Also ensure your PHP version is 8.1 or higher (8.3 recommended) for best compatibility
   with modern WordPress and plugins.

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

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to reply to this topic.

 * In: [Fixing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/how-to-and-troubleshooting/)
 * 5 replies
 * 6 participants
 * Last reply from: [Md. Aminul Islam](https://wordpress.org/support/users/wpdevsxyz/)
 * Last activity: [1 month, 3 weeks ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-error-message-from-wordpress/#post-18883665)
 * Status: not resolved

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