wp-settings.php error message

The first step is try disabling the plugin you just tried to install. If you don’t see it as installed on the plugin page, delete its folder from /wp-content/plugins

Most likely that is the problem. If not, disable your other plugins one by one, to see if one of them is the problem.

Its possible the failed plugin install partially added some code to the database, which might have to be removed manually. But you are best off trying what I suggested before going the database editing route.

Thanks for the reply. I tried deactivating and the deleting the new plugin, and I tried reinstalling the old plugin that it was replacing, and no dice. Plus every time I try to activate or deactivate a plugin or indeed save anything anyplace on the WP dashboard I get a totally white screen with the error message listed above.

For what it’s worth, I tried installing the same plugin again, on the theory that just that install had gone awry somehow, and it aborted saying something about how the file css already existed.

I posted the problem on several boards, and the admin of the plugin’s help board said that the error is related to my-hacks.php, which is evidently a core WP component of some kind. It’s all alien to me, I’m afraid.

Indecently, installed the same plugin manually, and it installed and activated just fine (albeit with the above mentioned whitescreeens), but doesn’t seem to work. It seems pretty clear to me that something has gotten bent in the database, specifically on line 465. Sadly, I have no idea how to fix it. Any guidance as to a fix would be most appreciated.
-John
P.S. The site itself seems to work fine, although the same error messages flash up on a momentarily white screen, and then everything loads normally except the lightbox effects on the photos no longer work.

Hi

I checked the code for wp-settings.php, line 465 and it does relate to my-hacks.php

Go into your admin section under settings, into the miscellaneous section. The last setting is for my-hacks.php support. If it is turned on, turn it off. If it is turned off, turn it on. Then Save Changes and see if that made any difference.

It is looking for a file that is not there, one that hasn’t been used in WP in a long time.

If that doesn’t work, the next step is to go into the database wp-options table and remove an entry whose key is hack_file But try these other things first. Most likely turning off that hack field in settings will remove that option. From the code it looks like if that hack_file option setting does not exist it will stop looking for the my-hacks.php file

I found the check box you speak of. It was set to off (unchecked). I checked the box and saved, getting the same error whitescreen, but with the added content “Thanks for Creating with WordPress” floating below the usual error messages, with three hyperlinks for www.ads-software.com, documentation, and one other thing I forget. I went back in and turned the my-hacks off and saved, same deal.

At this point it looks like some database editing is called for. I’m willing (I’ve got some experience with regedit under various flavors of windows), but I need directions on how to get there. Thanks for the help so far. It sounds like if I can just kill that hack_file sucker all will be well. *fingers crossed*
-John

Hi

I just found something on the forums that says that error on line 465 can be triggered by bad folders created under the plugins folder in wp-contents. You want to use an FTP program, or the file manager in your webhost control panel, to see if there are any folders under the plugins folder that are not the name of one of your plugins. Your error message is choking on a folder called /wp-content/plugins/css/ there should not be a folder called css in that location. So delete it, or moved it out of the plugins folder, and see if that makes you error message go away

HA! You are a STAR! There was indeed an orphan folder called css in the plugins folder. I killed it and the error messages have gone away. I am in your debt, truly. Many thanks.
-John Price

Hmm I’m running into the same problem but am not quite sure how to find the folder. My problem seems to lie on line 473. I am getting the warning:

Warning: main(/home/engstone/public_html/wp-content/plugins/__MACOSX/) [function.main]: failed to open stream: Success in /home/engstone/public_html/wp-settings.php on line 473

Warning: main() [function.include]: Failed opening ‘/home/engstone/public_html/wp-content/plugins/__MACOSX/’ for inclusion (include_path=’.:/usr/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php’) in /home/engstone/public_html/wp-settings.php on line 473

I am assuming to do the search in the Plugin’s editor, and try to find this extra folder in the plugin files,,,???

Hi

Your bad folder is called __MACOSX in the /wp-content/plugins. folder – delete it and that should solve your problem

You need to use your FTP program to delete the bad folder. If you use Filezilla as I do just connect to the server and navigate to the target folder as you normally would, right click on it and choose “delete.” It’s just that simple, or at least it was for me once stvwlf identified the target.
-John

Awesome! I had the same problem with a different plugin, and I just followed along with what you said here and deleted the folder. And success!

Thanks so much, stvwlf. I’m a newbie too, so to actually fix something like this myself (with your help) is pretty cool. ??

Same with me. Thanks stvwlf for sharing your knowledge with the forum group. Every success to you.