- Fatal Error call to undefined function get_header()
- How to Resolve Fatal Error: call to undefined function get_header()?
- Step by step process to Fix Fatal Error: call to undefined function get_header() Error in WordPress:
- Fix Fatal Error call to undefined function get_header() Error through WordPress Admin
- WordPress Error Fix: “Call to undefined function get_header()”
- Is your site targeted?
- Understanding the error
- How to fix
- Example
- Bonus
- Closing thoughts
- WordPress Error Fix: “Call To Undefined Function Get_Header()”
- What Is A Call To Undefined Function Error?
- Does Your Site Under Attack?
- What’s The Issue?
- Advantage
- Related Post: How to Fix the Syntax Error in WordPress website
Fatal Error call to undefined function get_header()
“Fatal Error: call to undefined function get_header()” Error occurrence is one of the common problems in WordPress. Regular WordPress users can fix this WordPress Fatal Error easily but it is difficult for the WordPress Beginners. So, Here we have provided the simple methods to resolve this Fatal Error call to undefined function get_header() in WordPress. Read the complete article and fix Fatal Error: get_header() Error quickly and easily.
How to Resolve Fatal Error: call to undefined function get_header()?
Actually, the get_header() function is included in the WordPress theme. While running the WordPress website, if the get_header() function does not available then this Fatal Error will arise. If the user misplaces the index.php file then also this WordPress fatal error occurs. For resolving this Error you have to follow the given step by step by step process.
Step by step process to Fix Fatal Error: call to undefined function get_header() Error in WordPress:
If you have access to your WordPress admin area then you can fix this Fatal Error using your WordPress Dashboard. Otherwise, you can access your WordPress website through FTP Access.
Fix Fatal Error call to undefined function get_header() Error through WordPress Admin
- Login to your WordPress admin area.
- Click on the Appearance option.
- Next, click on the Editor option.
- Now, search for the index.php file.
- Click on the index.php file.
- Now, you have to change the given code.
WordPress Error Fix: “Call to undefined function get_header()”
I’m seeing a big increase in bot attacks targeting theme files directly. First they get the URL to your theme directory. There are numerous ways for a bot to get this information. For example most themes include assets like CSS and JavaScript files, and the link includes the full URL. So then once they have the theme URL, bad bots will make direct requests for well-known theme template files, like index.php and header.php . Requesting template files directly may reveal possible security vulnerabilities, which apparently is an increasingly popular attack vector. It also triggers the “Call to undefined function get_header()” (and similar) errors. Fortunately there is an easy fix.
Is your site targeted?
To find out if your site is getting hit with direct requests for theme files, you can check your site’s access/error logs. Here are some examples from my own logs that should help show what to look for:
Note: In the following log entries, all file paths are changed to example URLs to prevent Google from crawling and reporting errors. In the actual log files, errors contain file paths, not URLs. P.S., it is most ridiculous that Googlebot crawls plain-text path information, inside of tags no less.
2018-12-30 17:54:07 Error AH01071: Got error 'PHP message: PHP Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Call to undefined function get_header() in https://example.com/wp-content/themes/digwp/index.php:1 Stack trace: #0 thrown in https://example.com/wp-content/themes/digwp/index.php on line 1' 2018-12-30 12:53:55 Error AH01071: Got error 'PHP message: PHP Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Call to undefined function get_header() in https://example.com/wp-content/themes/digwp/404.php:1 Stack trace: #0 thrown in https://example.com/wp-content/themes/digwp/404.php on line 1' 2018-12-30 12:53:55 Error AH01071: Got error 'PHP message: PHP Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Call to undefined function esc_url() in https://example.com/wp-content/themes/digwp/header.php:8 Stack trace: #0 thrown in https://example.com/wp-content/themes/digwp/header.php on line 8'
So if your site is targeted with direct-template attacks, you’ll see LOTS of these types of errors. In these examples, the requests are for index.php , 404.php , and header.php . From my analyses, most of the template requests are for these three files, but you may also find them scanning for other well-known WordPress files, such as:
/archive.php /wp-includes/rss-functions.php ..various theme template files ..various files in the WP Media Library
Basically, any direct request for a WordPress core, theme, or plugin file most likely will trigger an error, unless proper measures are taken beforehand. For example, later we’ll look at an easy way to stop the “undefined function” error, which in turn will help conserve precious server resources and improve overall site security.
Understanding the error
So what’s with the “call to undefined function” fatal errors? They happen because WordPress core is not loaded for directly loaded template files.
For example, if you request header.php directly, any core functions such as esc_url() are not available because the file is requested outside of WordPress.
What happens if you do nothing? Well, your theme may already have implemented a similar technique, or maybe not. What’s the risk? Depending on how your theme is coded, it may be possible for bad actors to execute code out of context, which may expose potential attack vectors.
How to fix
The easiest way to prevent this type of error is to simply exit the script if WordPress is not available. This is an ancient yet effective PHP technique used to prevent direct file access:
It simply says: If the ABSPATH constant is not defined, then exit the script. This works because ABSPATH is only defined when WordPress is loaded. So when a bad bot comes along and starts requesting your theme templates, it will simply get a blank page (empty response) from the server.
You may have seen similar code during your WordPress travels. Preventing direct script access is an important part of PHP security. You don’t want attackers/bots running scripts out of context, when not authorized, and so forth.
Example
To implement this technique, open any theme files that are targeted, and include the line at the top of the file. For example, many theme templates include the header before any other code, looks like this:
After adding the “no direct access” snippet, you’ll have something like:
However you decide to format the code is fine, the point is to include the ABSPATH line before any other functions are called.
Pro Tip: Want to stop more bad bots? Check out my free WordPress plugin, Blackhole for Bad Bots, available at the WP Plugin Directory.
Bonus
To go further, you can protect sensitive file information by disabling directory views. For example, if you visit your theme parent directory in a browser, what do you see? If directory views are enabled, you’ll get a linked list of all the files. Not good. What you should see is either a blank white screen or some other server response. You know, to help keep your file information safe and secure.
There are numerous ways to disable directory views. The WordPress way is to create a new (empty) index.php file in whichever directory you want to protect.
Important! Only create a new index.php file if one does NOT already exist in the directory. That is, don’t overwrite any existing index files.
Then in index.php , add the following code:
WordPress core uses this technique in various directories. By disabling open directory views, we prevent attackers from obtaining information about which files exist on the server. So it benefits security and is recommended practice for all public directories, unless you’ve got it covered with .htaccess, or maybe have reason to do otherwise and leave views enabled for a specific directory.
Closing thoughts
The simple techniques described in this article are proven security measures that will prevent unsafe code execution and stop errors from filling up your logs. That means better performance and security for your site. Even if you’re not experiencing the type of errors described in this article, protecting your theme and plugin files from direct access is good for security.
WordPress Error Fix: “Call To Undefined Function Get_Header()”
Are you getting Call to undefined function error while accessing? Do you need help? If yes, then you should read this blog. In this, we have discussed every detail that you need to know before fixing this error and steps to fix them.
Let us get started!
What Is A Call To Undefined Function Error?
It is a fatal error which increases day by day that target themes directly. They receive a URL to your theme directory. Well, there are a numbers of ways to get this information. Let me explain you with an example. Most themes include JavaScript files, CSS, and link of URL.
The bad bots send a request to a popular theme file as index.php or header.php. With this, requesting files outsource security susceptibilities, which is a major attack. This also triggers Call to Undefined function error. The best part is you can fix it easily.
In other words, you can say when a user request to header.php file, any important function as exc_url () are not available, because it is outside the WordPress. Or this is happening because WordPress core is not loaded, loading the template files.
This may happen because of bad bots and depending on your theme, how it is coded. This may be because of bad actions or executing the code out of context.
Does Your Site Under Attack?
First, you will need to check whether your site is targeted or not. To check this error see error logs. For example: Got error”PHP message: PHP Fatal Error: uncaught error: Call to undefined function
get_header() htttps://sktthemes.org/wp-content/themes/digwp/index.php: 1’ Stack trace: #0 thrown in htttps://sktthemes.org/wp-content/digwp/index.php on line 1’
If your site is getting this type of error, this means your site is targeted or attacked by bad bots. You can see many types of these errors. In the example, you can see index.php, 404.php, and header.php. After research and getting reviews from sources, lots of people see this kind of error in WordPress files instead of example.
See this: /archive.php
/Wp-includes/rss-functions.php
..Various theme template files
..Various files in the WP media library
Fundamentally, the direct access from WordPress core, plugin or a file triggers an error. To solve this query we have shared the methods to solve call to undefined function error to the better overall security of your theme.
What’s The Issue?
– If you are trying to log-in to your WordPress account.
– If you have updated the WordPress.
– If you are getting this message; is_network_admin() error message or “Fatal error undefined function is_network_admin()”
How To Fix Call To Undefined Function Fatal Error
To fix this issue you have multiple ways. Here we will talk about the best techniques that may help you without trouble.
One of the beats and easiest ways to overcome this type of error is, exit the script if WordPress is not available. It is an efficient and well-known technique to fix the issue.
In other words, if ABSPATH constant is not definite, exit the script. The ABSPATH works when WordPress is loaded. When bad bots come and request a theme template, it gives a blank page.
For example:
You have seen such code during WordPress sessions. It is vital to protect direct script access to PHP security. After all, you do not need bots/attackers on site.
So, to exit from the script you will need to follow the given way.
First open any theme file, which is targeted. Now, include the given line at the top of the file.
When you get no access or exit from the script you will see the given code:
If you want to format the code, it is normal.
Advantage
To move on further, you can protect vital files by restricting the directory views. Let us consider an example: when you visit the parent directory via browser, you will directory views are enabled. If it is, you will get a linked list of files, which is not good.
Either you see a blank screen or maybe some other messages. You will need to keep your file secure and safe.
To restrict the directory views, you will need to create the first empty file index.php file, whichever you want to disable.
To disallow the code do this:
WordPress uses this technique for a long time to prevent hackers/boaters. You should try this if any trouble you are getting while accessing WordPress.
The Final Verdict
As you can see, we have shared a simple yet effective way to prevent pages from attackers/hackers. In this technique you will not need an expert, if you are not able to do so then add a suitable plugin for better security. With this, you will get better performance, protect plugin files, and direct access. Good Luck!
Related Post: How to Fix the Syntax Error in WordPress website
Sonnal S Sinha shares exciting WordPress themes, plugins and other WordPress related news for our viewers. He also posts selected WordPress developers interviews from time to time.