A Blank White Page Is Still An Error Page

January 12th, 2009

Sometimes, due to a PHP error, a Joomla Extension can stop working and, without displaying an error, lead you to a blank page.

In that case, to find out why, do following:

  1. Check server error logs (not access logs) if you have access to them. (cPanel or other control panels often allow this)
  2. Go to Joomla Administration -> Global configuration and enable Error Reporting to Maximum, you can also turn on debugging. – try the action again – if you still get a blank page then goto 3
  3. put the following code at the END of the configuration.php file BEFORE the closing ?>

    ini_set( 'display_errors', true ); error_reporting( E_ALL );

  4. Check the source of the white page – there might be still some HTML/Errors in the Page Source (Look in your web browser for the “View Source” option)

One of these should give you a nice detailed error message – which you can either email me directly or Google to find a  solution

Remember this: A White Page is just an Error Page where the error message has been supressed by your configuration.

Update: Original article republished/hacked with original authors permission.  Added point 4.

6 Responses to “A Blank White Page Is Still An Error Page”

  1. 4) Use .htaccess
    php_flag display_errors on
    php_value error_reporting 2048

  2. But of course, if you CAN’T get to the administration page, #2 above it moot.

  3. you can do 2) manually edit by FTP the /configuration.php file and change
    $error_reporting = ’0′;
    to
    $error_reporting = ’2048′;
    Kindest regards
    Phil.

  4. Cheers for this, really saved me a lot of grief. In the end, adding those lines to .htaccess displayed the underlying error.

    M

  5. Sometimes the simplest solution works out the best. Thanks bro! Nice tips! :)

  6. nice solution thank you for sharing.

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