Title: Parse error: syntax error, unexpected […sdm-admin-menu-handler.php on line 23] Last modified: April 26, 2018 --- # Parse error: syntax error, unexpected […sdm-admin-menu-handler.php on line 23] * Resolved [Andrea](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ancan/) * (@ancan) * [8 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-syntax-error-unexpected-sdm-admin-menu-handler-php-on-line-23/) * I’ve just updated to the latest version (3.6.0) and I get this error as soon as I try to get into the wordpress administration menu: Parse error: syntax error, unexpected ‘[‘ in /web/htdocs/_mydomain_/home/wp-content/plugins/simple- download-monitor/includes/sdm-admin-menu-handler.php on line 23 To be able to reacquire the admin wordpress function, I had to edit the **sdm-admin-menu-handler. php** file, comment the lines 29 (add_filter….) and from the line 45 to 58 (function sdm_admin_menu_function_hook….). Now I regained access again, but surely something will not work as it should, given my change. For info I have PHP 5.2.17 * Andrea. Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total) * Plugin Contributor [mbrsolution](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mbrsolution/) * (@mbrsolution) * [8 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-syntax-error-unexpected-sdm-admin-menu-handler-php-on-line-23/#post-10220250) * Hi Andrea, PHP 5.2.17 is very old. You should ask your host to upgrade your servers PHP version. Please view the following [documentation](https://secure.php.net/supported-versions.php). * Thank you * Thread Starter [Andrea](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ancan/) * (@ancan) * [8 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-syntax-error-unexpected-sdm-admin-menu-handler-php-on-line-23/#post-10220444) * I know it’s very old, but they are not going to upgrade. Previously everything worked smoothly and now this error has appeared. Is it related to the PHP version, or is it for other reasons? * Andrea. * Plugin Contributor [mbrsolution](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mbrsolution/) * (@mbrsolution) * [8 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-syntax-error-unexpected-sdm-admin-menu-handler-php-on-line-23/#post-10220488) * Hi, if your host is not going to upgrade the PHP version then if I where you I would start looking for a new host. * I have submitted a message to the developers to investigate further this issue. * Kind regards - This reply was modified 8 years, 1 month ago by [mbrsolution](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mbrsolution/). * Plugin Author [mra13 / Team Tips and Tricks HQ](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mra13/) * (@mra13) * [8 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-syntax-error-unexpected-sdm-admin-menu-handler-php-on-line-23/#post-10220929) * Yes, that error you are seeing is because of the old PHP version. I have tweaked that function and released a new version. That should make it compatible with the older PHP version. * The version of PHP you are using is just too old so you will likely face various issues with plugins in the future. So it is worth moving to a new hosting that will provide you a server with a more recent PHP version (and will keep current in the future). * Thread Starter [Andrea](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ancan/) * (@ancan) * [8 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-syntax-error-unexpected-sdm-admin-menu-handler-php-on-line-23/#post-10221080) * If in the future I still have similar problems, after an upgrade, can I downgrade to the previous version (compatible with my PHP)? How could I do this? * Thanks Andrea * **EDIT:** After upgrading to **3.6.1** I get the same error again. I had to do the same previous procedure to regain control…. - This reply was modified 8 years, 1 month ago by [Andrea](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ancan/). Reason: Still an error * Plugin Author [mra13 / Team Tips and Tricks HQ](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mra13/) * (@mra13) * [8 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-syntax-error-unexpected-sdm-admin-menu-handler-php-on-line-23/#post-10222538) * You can download a zip copy of the older version from this link and use it: [https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/simple-download-monitor.3.5.9.zip](https://downloads.wordpress.org/plugin/simple-download-monitor.3.5.9.zip) * Can you copy and paste the current error? * Thread Starter [Andrea](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ancan/) * (@ancan) * [8 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-syntax-error-unexpected-sdm-admin-menu-handler-php-on-line-23/#post-10223850) * With 3.6.1 version the error is: * > Parse error: syntax error, unexpected ‘[‘ in /web/htdocs/mydomain/home/wp-content/ > plugins/simple-download-monitor/includes/sdm-admin-menu-handler.php on line > 25 * In order to access the administration pages I had to comment on the lines as I wrote above. * Plugin Author [mra13 / Team Tips and Tricks HQ](https://wordpress.org/support/users/mra13/) * (@mra13) * [8 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-syntax-error-unexpected-sdm-admin-menu-handler-php-on-line-23/#post-10224781) * That error is on a different line. I have pushed another commit that should address it. If you delete the currently installed copy of the plugin then install it again, you shouldn’t see the issue anymore. * Thread Starter [Andrea](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ancan/) * (@ancan) * [8 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-syntax-error-unexpected-sdm-admin-menu-handler-php-on-line-23/#post-10224982) * Yes, I confirm. I uninstalled the plugin, then I installed it again and the problem is no longer present. The file that I had to edit was restored as originally and everything works regularly. What’s happened? * Regards, Andrea. Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total) The topic ‘Parse error: syntax error, unexpected […sdm-admin-menu-handler.php on line 23]’ is closed to new replies. * ![](https://ps.w.org/simple-download-monitor/assets/icon-128x128.png?rev=973803) * [Simple Download Monitor](https://wordpress.org/plugins/simple-download-monitor/) * [Frequently Asked Questions](https://wordpress.org/plugins/simple-download-monitor/#faq) * [Support Threads](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/simple-download-monitor/) * [Active Topics](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/simple-download-monitor/active/) * [Unresolved Topics](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/simple-download-monitor/unresolved/) * [Reviews](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/simple-download-monitor/reviews/) ## Tags * [syntax error](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/syntax-error/) * 9 replies * 3 participants * Last reply from: [Andrea](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ancan/) * Last activity: [8 years, 1 month ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-syntax-error-unexpected-sdm-admin-menu-handler-php-on-line-23/#post-10224982) * Status: resolved