Title: Return Variable references notice
Last modified: August 21, 2021

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# Return Variable references notice

 *  Resolved [useStrict](https://wordpress.org/support/users/usestrict/)
 * (@usestrict)
 * [4 years, 9 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/return-variable-references-notice/)
 * Hi,
 * I’m seeing the following notice in my logs:
 * `Notice: Only variable references should be returned by reference in /path/to/
   wp-content/plugins/cleantalk-spam-protect/lib/Cleantalk/ApbctWP/State.php on 
   line 651`
 * Plugin Version: 5.160.1
    PHP version: 7.4.22
 * Cheers,
    Vinny

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

 *  Plugin Support [sergecleantalk](https://wordpress.org/support/users/sergecleantalk/)
 * (@sergecleantalk)
 * [4 years, 9 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/return-variable-references-notice/#post-14791548)
 * Hello,
 * Please, deactivate the plugin with “Complete deactivation” option enabled and
   then activate it again.
 * 1. Enter the Antispam by Cleantalk plugin settings. (WordPress Dashboard -> Settings-
   > Antispam by Cleantalk -> Advanced settings)
 * 2. Check the last settings “Complete deactivation” and save changes.
 * 3. Deactivate the plugin on the “Plugins” page in WordPress Dashboard.
 * 4. Then activate it.
 * 5. Proceed to the plugin’s settings. (See item 1.)
 * Did it help?
 *  Thread Starter [useStrict](https://wordpress.org/support/users/usestrict/)
 * (@usestrict)
 * [4 years, 9 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/return-variable-references-notice/#post-14791599)
 * Thanks for the quick reply.
 * No, it did not help. The issue seems to be code related.
 *  Plugin Support [sergecleantalk](https://wordpress.org/support/users/sergecleantalk/)
 * (@sergecleantalk)
 * [4 years, 9 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/return-variable-references-notice/#post-14791676)
 * I will ask our developers about this. We will contact you within 1-2 working 
   days.
 *  [Artyom Davydov](https://wordpress.org/support/users/sartemd174/)
 * (@sartemd174)
 * [4 years, 9 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/return-variable-references-notice/#post-14795060)
 * Hello,
 * We’ve added some fixes here:
    [https://github.com/CleanTalk/wordpress-antispam/commit/845d40ce71e71aac2296e8bce306b677d4431ca4#diff-ef4985373745cffd7edc4d96124399ed9ebc9853a1031ce81169640982e89179](https://github.com/CleanTalk/wordpress-antispam/commit/845d40ce71e71aac2296e8bce306b677d4431ca4#diff-ef4985373745cffd7edc4d96124399ed9ebc9853a1031ce81169640982e89179)
 * Basically, it’s not a critical issue and we will also refactor this fragment 
   of code in the next releases.

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

The topic ‘Return Variable references notice’ is closed to new replies.

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 * 4 replies
 * 3 participants
 * Last reply from: [Artyom Davydov](https://wordpress.org/support/users/sartemd174/)
 * Last activity: [4 years, 9 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/return-variable-references-notice/#post-14795060)
 * Status: resolved