How to Fix “Failed to Open Stream” Error in WordPress

Published: April 4, 2023

Troubleshooting Guide: How to Resolve the ‘Failed to Open Stream’ Error in WordPress

What to do If you ever happen to see the following type of error message in wordpress website!

Warning: require(home/…/…/wp-blog-header.php): failed to open stream. No such file or directory in /home/…/…/index.php on line 18

Fatal error: require(): Failed opening required ‘/home/…/…/wp-blog-header.php’ (include_path=’.”/opt/alt/php74/usr/share/pear’) in /home/…/…/index.php on line 18

Failed to Open Stream
Failed to Open Stream

WordPress is a powerful and flexible platform for building websites and blogs. However, like any software, it can sometimes encounter errors that can be frustrating and confusing. One such error is the “failed to open stream” error message, which can occur when WordPress is unable to access or locate a required file.

If you’ve encountered this error message on your WordPress site, don’t worry. In this article, we’ll show you how to fix the “failed to open stream” error and get your site back up and running.

Step 1: Check the File Path

The first step in fixing this error is to check the file path mentioned in the error message. The error message usually indicates the file path and line number where the error occurred. For example, “Failed opening required ‘/home/…/…/wp-blog-header.php’ in /home/…/…/index.php on line 18”.

Check to ensure that the file path mentioned in the error message is correct and leads to the required file. If the file path is incorrect, you will need to update it in the appropriate file(s).

Step 2: Verify the File Existence

If the file path is correct, the next step is to verify the existence of the required file. Check if the file exists in the correct location mentioned in the file path. If the file is missing, try to restore it from a backup or reinstall WordPress.

Step 3: Check File Permissions

Sometimes, file permissions can cause the “failed to open stream” error. Ensure that the file has the correct file permissions and ownership. You can check this using an FTP client or cPanel file manager.

Step 4: Deactivate Plugins and Themes

If the above steps do not resolve the error, you can try deactivating all plugins and switching to the default WordPress theme. Sometimes, a plugin or theme conflict can cause this error. Deactivating all plugins and switching to the default theme can help you identify the cause of the error.

Step 5: Update WordPress (WORKED FOR ME)

Before doing this step, make sure you have backed up all your data. Now download the latest version of wordpress from the official website wordpress.org. Unzip the file and delete the wp-content folder (you do not want to overwrite the wp-content folder of your website on your server). Now, zip rest of the files/folders and upload on your server. Open your website and it should be working fine. Just in case there is an issue with links not opening, go to settings >> permalinks and save the settings.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the “failed to open stream” error in WordPress can be caused by several factors, including incorrect file paths, missing files, incorrect file permissions, and plugin or theme conflicts. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can fix this error and get your WordPress site up and running again.

Remember to always backup your website before making any major changes to prevent data loss and have the ability to restore your website in case of any issues. If you’re still encountering issues, consider seeking assistance from a WordPress developer or support team.

You may also like to read the following articles:
How to delete uncategorized category in wordpress
How To Get WordPress Menu Open In New Tab

Find More

Categories

Related Posts