Title: how to fix "syntax error" Last modified: August 20, 2016 --- # how to fix "syntax error" * Resolved [jongoings](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jongoings/) * (@jongoings) * [14 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/how-to-fix-syntax-error/) * I got all this text when I open my site, the functions.php, or even the theme tab. And this is a problem as I know extremely limited coding, as in adding a link and centering text. In fact, I don’t even know how to get back into my editor or anything… Have I lost it completely?! * Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_STRING in /hermes/web07/b287/moo.jongoingscom/ wp-content/themes/sidewinder/functions.php on line 29 * how do I fix it! Viewing 11 replies - 1 through 11 (of 11 total) * [peredur](https://wordpress.org/support/users/peredur/) * (@peredur) * [14 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/how-to-fix-syntax-error/#post-2338062) * What has changed to cause the error? Did you change to a new theme? Did you make changes to any of the theme’s files. * Can you log into your Dashboard? If so, can you change to another theme (preferably the default twentyeleven)? Does the error go away if you do so? * Cheers * PAE * Thread Starter [jongoings](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jongoings/) * (@jongoings) * [14 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/how-to-fix-syntax-error/#post-2338064) * I changed my greeting (in Graph Paper Press “Sidewinder” theme) in the functions. php from “Howdy” to “Good day, my liege” haha, but then I did “G’day” the apostrophe must have changed something, and I can get into nowhere at all. not [http://www.jongoings.com](http://www.jongoings.com), not [http://www.jongoings.com/blog](http://www.jongoings.com/blog), not [http://www.jongoings.com/wp-admin](http://www.jongoings.com/wp-admin), nada. I do have one window open, editing a page, but I doubt it will go anywhere. But I can try menu specifics if you mention them * Is there another backdoor? * [peredur](https://wordpress.org/support/users/peredur/) * (@peredur) * [14 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/how-to-fix-syntax-error/#post-2338068) * I’d try to restore a virgin copy of functions.php. * If you didn’t make a backup before making your changes you’ll need to download the theme to your local machine and upload, using an FTP client, the functions. php file to the sidewinder theme’s directory under wp-content/themes. * HTH * PAE * Thread Starter [jongoings](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jongoings/) * (@jongoings) * [14 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/how-to-fix-syntax-error/#post-2338069) * what’s an FTP client? what if I can’t use my dashboard? I’m hosting with FatCow, in case they did any automatic backups, if I can maybe do a restore * [peredur](https://wordpress.org/support/users/peredur/) * (@peredur) * [14 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/how-to-fix-syntax-error/#post-2338071) * When you signed up with your service provider, they will usually have given you an FTP account and some details as to how to log in to it. * FTP is the File Transfer Protocol and it allows you to upload files from your local machine to your website. Examples of clients are [FileZilla](http://filezilla-project.org/download.php)( which is a standalone program) and [FireFTP](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/fireftp/?src=search)( which is a Firefox plugin). * If you either don’t have an FTP account or have lost the details, you will need to talk to your service host. The FatCow web page says they provide FTP accounts as standard. * On the other hand, if they do have a recent backup, you could use that I guess. You’ll just have to make sure that they restore **exactly** the file you want. There are a lot of files called functions.php in a WP installation (one for every theme). * HTH * PAE * Thread Starter [jongoings](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jongoings/) * (@jongoings) * [14 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/how-to-fix-syntax-error/#post-2338072) * would [http://members.fatcow.com/webControl/FTP.bml](http://members.fatcow.com/webControl/FTP.bml) be my FTP? I have nearly 20 themes installed, but only the child theme Sidewinder activated on the parent Base theme. they might restore the wrong file? * [peredur](https://wordpress.org/support/users/peredur/) * (@peredur) * [14 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/how-to-fix-syntax-error/#post-2338074) * I can’t tell. I can’t log in to your control panel. Only you can. Many service hosts do provide FTP access via their control panel, though. I’ve never used such a service, though. Using a local client is just much easier to me (but then again I think that using ftp via the command line is the easiest way to do it…) * 🙂 * You’d need to be very specific about the file you wanted and make sure they understood. But we don’t even know they have a backup yet, so the point might be moot. * Why don’t you give them a ring? They’re usually pretty helpful, I find. I know lots of people complain about the support they get, but I’ve always found them helpful. Although I’ve no experience of this particular company. * BTW, I looked at your earlier post again. Yes, the apostrophe would have done it if you didn’t escape it. If you don’t understand PHP you should leave functions. php well alone. In fact you should leave all the PHP files well alone unless you’re changing them in a child theme and under expert tutelage. * Cheers * PAE * Thread Starter [jongoings](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jongoings/) * (@jongoings) * [14 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/how-to-fix-syntax-error/#post-2338079) * I just spoke with FatCow tech support, and they’re assigning a specialist. Thanks a bunch! * And I had googled how to make the change, but you’re right, I don’t know the rules of PHP. Any recommendations of where I can learn them, so as to prevent this from happening again? * [Dhikra](https://wordpress.org/support/users/dhikra/) * (@dhikra) * [14 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/how-to-fix-syntax-error/#post-2338081) * You might want to try this: [http://adambrown.info/b/widgets/easy-php-tutorial-for-wordpress-users/](http://adambrown.info/b/widgets/easy-php-tutorial-for-wordpress-users/) * [peredur](https://wordpress.org/support/users/peredur/) * (@peredur) * [14 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/how-to-fix-syntax-error/#post-2338082) * Ah! The dangers of Google. Don’t believe everything you read on the web. Including this. * Dhikra’s link looks good. * You might also look at: * [http://www.php.net/tut.php](http://www.php.net/tut.php) * Cheers * PAE * Thread Starter [jongoings](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jongoings/) * (@jongoings) * [14 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/how-to-fix-syntax-error/#post-2338085) * thanks guys! Viewing 11 replies - 1 through 11 (of 11 total) The topic ‘how to fix "syntax error"’ is closed to new replies. * In: [Fixing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/how-to-and-troubleshooting/) * 11 replies * 3 participants * Last reply from: [jongoings](https://wordpress.org/support/users/jongoings/) * Last activity: [14 years, 8 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/how-to-fix-syntax-error/#post-2338085) * Status: resolved ## Topics ### Topics with no replies ### Non-support topics ### Resolved topics ### Unresolved topics ### All topics