Disabling PHP Error Reporting in WordPress can make your site more secure because error messages may reveal sensitive information about the system that attackers could use to exploit vulnerabilities.
Here are the main reasons:
1. Disclosure of sensitive information
Error messages often include details about the server structure, file paths, software versions, database names, or specific configurations.
For example, an error might display a full path like
/public_html/wp-content/plugins/plugin-name/file.php, which gives hints about how the site is organized.
2. Facilitation of targeted attacks
With information such as the PHP version, the location of certain files, or the names of plugins and themes, an attacker can identify specific vulnerabilities and tailor their attack.
For instance, if an error shows a file from a known plugin, an attacker might look for publicly available vulnerabilities in that plugin.
3. Exposure of flaws in plugins or themes
Errors may directly point out which plugin or theme is causing the issue. This makes it easier for an attacker to exploit specific flaws or use publicly available exploits.
4. Impact on user experience
Displaying PHP errors can create distrust among visitors, as they see visible technical issues. While not a direct vulnerability, it affects the perception of professionalism and security of the site.
How to Disable Error Reporting in WordPress
You can disable PHP error reporting in WordPress by modifying the configuration file, which by default is “wp-config.php”.
To access this file, log in to cPanel through the client area or with the access details provided in the email you received when you purchased the cPanel.
Once inside cPanel, go to the “File Manager” tool.
Then, navigate to the directory where your website files are located. If your domain is the main domain of the hosting, go to the “public_html” directory. If it is an addon domain, the directory will have the same name as the domain.
Inside the directory, locate the “wp-config.php” file, right-click on it, and select “Edit.”
Add or make sure the following lines are correctly set:
If you find lines like the following:
define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', true);
@ini_set('display_errors', 1);
Replace them with this code.
ini_set('display_errors', 0);
ini_set('display_startup_errors', 0);
define('WP_DEBUG', false);
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);
Once the changes are made, click the “Save Changes” button at the top-right corner of the text editor.
This way, PHP error reporting will be disabled on your WordPress site.