XMLReader Support Missing – Starter Templates (For the Administrators)

If you are the server administrator or running your website on your own server and getting this error message, this article is for you. If you are not the server administrator, please refer to our other article here.

One common error that webmasters often encounter is the “XML Reader Support Missing” error while installing starter templates on their site. This error can cause issues with various PHP applications and scripts that rely on XML functionality. In this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to resolve this error and ensure that your server is equipped with the necessary XMLReader PHP extension. Let’s get started.

Understanding the “XMLReader Support Missing” Error

Before we delve into the solution, let’s take a moment to understand the error itself. This error occurs when a PHP application or script attempts to use the XMLReader extension, but the server does not have this extension installed or enabled. The XMLReader extension is essential for reading and parsing XML data, and without it, certain functionalities of your PHP scripts may fail to work correctly, for example, installing a template.

Step 1: Checking PHP Extension Support

The first step in resolving this error is to check whether your server supports the XMLReader PHP extension. To do this, follow these simple steps:

• Access your server’s control panel or connect to your server via SSH.
• Locate the PHP configuration file, usually named php.ini.
• Open the php.ini file using a text editor.
• Search for the following line: ;extension=xmlreader.
• Remove the semicolon (;) at the beginning of the line to uncomment it.
• Save the changes and exit the text editor.
• Restart your web server to apply the changes.

Step 2: Installing the XMLReader PHP Extension

If the XMLReader extension is not present in your PHP installation, you will need to install it. Here are the steps to install the XMLReader PHP extension:

Determine your server’s operating system (e.g., Linux, Windows, macOS).

• Access your server via SSH or connect to it using a terminal or command prompt.
• Use the appropriate package manager for your operating system to install the XMLReader extension. For example:
  • On Ubuntu or Debian, use the command: sudo apt-get install php-xmlreader.
  • On CentOS or RHEL, use the command: sudo yum install php-xmlreader.
  • On Windows, download the DLL file from the PHP website and add it to your PHP extensions directory.
  • On macOS, you can install the extension via Homebrew by running: brew install php-xmlreader.
• After the installation is complete, restart your web server.

Step 3: Verifying the XMLReader PHP Extension

To ensure that the XMLReader PHP extension is installed and enabled correctly, you can perform a quick verification. Follow these steps:

• Create a new PHP file on your server using a text editor.
• Add the following code to the file:

<?php
phpinfo();
?>

• Save the file with a “.php” extension, such as phpinfo.php.
• Upload the file to your web server’s document root directory.
• Open a web browser and access the file through its URL (e.g., http://yourdomain.com/phpinfo.php).
• Search the page for “xmlreader” to find the XMLReader
  • If you can locate it, the extension is installed and enabled successfully.
  • If you cannot find it, go back to Step 1 and double-check the configuration and installation.

Conclusion

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you have ensured that your server is equipped with the necessary XMLReader PHP extension, enabling your PHP applications and scripts to function without any issues. Remember to always keep your server’s software and extensions up to date to prevent potential errors and security vulnerabilities.

If you find the above steps too complicated to follow, we highly recommend going with a team of WordPress professionals like FixRunner who can provide dedicated support. However, if you have any questions about Starter Templates, please do not hesitate to create a support ticket and we will be happy to assist you.