---
title: "Error Log Viewer"
description: "View your PHP error log directly in the WordPress dashboard without FTP, SSH, or file manager access."
url: "https://docs.versioninfoplugin.com/agency-features-error-log-viewer/"
---
View your PHP error log directly in the WordPress dashboard without FTP, SSH, or file manager access.

# Error Log Viewer

**This is an Agency feature.** Get white-labeling, role-based visibility, multisite management, and everything in PRO. [Upgrade to Agency →](https://versioninfoplugin.com/pricing)

The Error Log Viewer provides a convenient way to view your site's PHP error log (`debug.log`) directly from the WordPress admin dashboard. No more digging through FTP clients or SSH terminals to check for errors.

### What It Displays

The viewer shows the **last 100 lines** of the active PHP error log file. Log entries are displayed in a read-only text area within the **Settings > Version Info > Error Log** tab.

### Log File Detection

Version Info automatically detects the error log file by checking the following locations in order:

1.  **`WP_DEBUG_LOG`** constant - If set to a custom file path
2.  **`WP_CONTENT_DIR/debug.log`** - The WordPress default debug log location
3.  **PHP `error_log` ini setting** - The server's PHP error log configuration

For the error log viewer to display data, WordPress debugging must be enabled. Add the following to your `wp-config.php` if not already present:

`define( 'WP_DEBUG', true ); define( 'WP_DEBUG_LOG', true ); define( 'WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false );`

### Security Features

The Error Log Viewer includes built-in security measures:

*   **Path masking**: All file paths containing `ABSPATH` are replaced with `[ABSPATH]` to prevent disclosure of the server's directory structure.
*   **Capability check**: Only users with the `manage_options` capability can access the log viewer.
*   **Nonce verification**: The download endpoint is protected with WordPress nonces.

### Downloading the Log

You can download the full error log as a ZIP file:

1.  Navigate to **Settings > Version Info > Error Log**.
2.  Click the **Download Log** button.
3.  The log file will be downloaded as a compressed ZIP archive.

The download is handled securely via an AJAX endpoint (`wp_ajax_version_info_download_log`) with capability and nonce checks.

The error log may contain sensitive information about your server configuration and file paths. The built-in path masking helps, but exercise caution when sharing log files with third parties.

### Use Cases

*   **Quick debugging**: Check for PHP errors after a plugin update without leaving the WordPress admin.
*   **Client support**: View error logs on a client's site without requesting FTP or SSH credentials.
*   **Pre-launch checks**: Verify no PHP warnings or notices exist before launching a site.