Title: Elementor causes Critical Error – get_default_args() on array, elements.php line
Last modified: October 6, 2026

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# Elementor causes Critical Error – get_default_args() on array, elements.php line

 *  [hasztrading](https://wordpress.org/support/users/hasztrading/)
 * (@hasztrading)
 * [1 week ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/elementor-causes-critical-error-get_default_args-on-array-elements-php-line/)
 * Hello, I need help with a Critical Error caused when Elementor is activated.
 * My hosting provider checked the PHP error log and found:
 * PHP Warning: Undefined array key “widgetType”
 * PHP Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Call to a member function get_default_args()
   on array in /wp-content/plugins/elementor/includes/managers/elements.php on line
   88.
 * What I have tested:
    - Elementor has been updated to version 4.3.4.
    - When Elementor is disabled, the website loads, but the layout is broken because
      the pages were built with Elementor.
    - When Elementor is activated, the website immediately shows a Critical Error.
    - The same problem persists after updating Elementor.
    - Other plugins have been disabled during troubleshooting.
 * Server environment:
    - LiteSpeed
    - PHP 8.1.34
    - PHP memory limit: 512M
 * I want to repair this safely without losing my existing Elementor page designs/
   data. Could this error be caused by invalid or corrupted Elementor element data(
   for example, an element missing “widgetType”)? What is the safest way to identify
   and repair the affected data?
 * Thank you.
 * The page I need help with: _[[log in](https://login.wordpress.org/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwordpress.org%2Fsupport%2Ftopic%2Felementor-causes-critical-error-get_default_args-on-array-elements-php-line%2F%3Foutput_format%3Dmd&locale=en_US)
   to see the link]_

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

 *  Plugin Support [Milos](https://wordpress.org/support/users/miloss84/)
 * (@miloss84)
 * [6 days, 4 hours ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/elementor-causes-critical-error-get_default_args-on-array-elements-php-line/#post-19038476)
 * Hi there,
 * The specific error mentioning a missing “widgetType” array key means Elementor
   is trying to load a page layout but hitting a corrupted piece of data. Under 
   the hood, Elementor saves your page designs as a highly complex JSON string in
   your database. If this string gets slightly altered or interrupted, Elementor
   reads an incomplete array instead of a proper widget object, triggering an instant
   fatal PHP crash upon activation.
 * Very often, this specific missing data is actually caused by a plugin conflict
   rather than permanent database corruption. If you recently deactivated a third-
   party Elementor add-on, or if one of your extensions is struggling with PHP 8.1,
   it can leave behind invisible “ghost” widgets in your layout that lack the required
   widget type definitions.
 * I highly recommend connecting to your site via FTP or your hosting File Manager
   and temporarily renaming the folders of any other Elementor-related add-ons. 
   If the core Elementor plugin activates smoothly after doing this, we have immediately
   found our hidden culprit.
 * If the error persists after checking for conflicts, the corrupted JSON is likely
   hiding inside a global template, such as your Header, Footer, or Default Kit.
   To repair this safely without losing your hard work, simply navigate to the standard
   WordPress backend editor for your recently modified templates, completely bypassing
   the broken Elementor frontend.
 * Please take your time testing these steps, and reply directly to this email with
   what you discover. I am fully committed to ensuring your site runs flawlessly
   again, so just let me know how it goes and we will take the next step together!
 * Warm regards,
 *  Thread Starter [hasztrading](https://wordpress.org/support/users/hasztrading/)
 * (@hasztrading)
 * [6 days, 4 hours ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/elementor-causes-critical-error-get_default_args-on-array-elements-php-line/#post-19038510)
 * Hi Milos, thank you for your guidance.
 * I have now tested for a plugin conflict as suggested.
 * I temporarily disabled Starter Templates and all other non-essential plugins.
   Elementor 4.3.4 was inactive at this point and the website loaded successfully,
   although the layout was broken.
 * I then activated Elementor while the other plugins remained inactive. The website
   immediately returned the same Critical Error.
 * I disabled Elementor again by renaming its folder, and the website became accessible
   again.
 * Therefore, the error still occurs even without the other Elementor-related plugins/
   add-ons active.
 * Before I make any changes to the database or Elementor data, could you please
   guide me on the safest way to identify which Elementor page, template, Default
   Kit, or JSON data contains the corrupted/missing `widgetType` entry?
 * I would like to preserve all existing Elementor designs and data and avoid deleting
   or modifying anything unnecessarily.
 * Thank you.
 *  [Olli Kousa](https://wordpress.org/support/users/kousa/)
 * (@kousa)
 * [5 days, 22 hours ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/elementor-causes-critical-error-get_default_args-on-array-elements-php-line/#post-19038961)
 * We’ve come across the same error. WordPress Core update 7.1.3 triggered the issue
   for us. In our case it was also related to whether Elementor Pro was active (
   error appeared only if active).
 * Added a hotfix to the create_element_instance() -function in elements.php to 
   check if the elemen_type was an array and return null if true. I also added logging
   to identify which element it was:
 *     ```wp-block-code
       [nested-tabs] => Elementor\Modules\NestedTabs\Widgets\NestedTabs Object"("[settings:Elementor\Core\Base\Base_Object:private] => "[id:Elementor\Controls_Stack:private] => "[active_settings:Elementor\Controls_Stack:private] => "[parsed_active_settings:Elementor\Controls_Stack:private] => "[parsed_dynamic_settings:Elementor\Controls_Stack:private] => "[data:Elementor\Controls_Stack:private] => "[config:Elementor\Controls_Stack:private] => "[additional_config:Elementor\Controls_Stack:private] => Array"(")"[current_section:Elementor\Controls_Stack:private] => "[current_tab:Elementor\Controls_Stack:private] => "[current_popover:Elementor\Controls_Stack:private] => "[injection_point:Elementor\Controls_Stack:private] => "[settings_sanitized:Elementor\Controls_Stack..."
       ```
   
 * Hopefully this helps identifying the issue.
 *  Plugin Support [Milos](https://wordpress.org/support/users/miloss84/)
 * (@miloss84)
 * [1 day, 6 hours ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/elementor-causes-critical-error-get_default_args-on-array-elements-php-line/#post-19042363)
 * Hi [@hasztrading](https://wordpress.org/support/users/hasztrading/)
 * If the previous recommendation didn’t resolve the issue, could you please check
   if you have added any custom code recently?
 * Additionally, please share screenshots of any errors shown in your browser’s 
   Developer Console and Network tab.
 * Kind regards,

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

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 * 4 replies
 * 3 participants
 * Last reply from: [Milos](https://wordpress.org/support/users/miloss84/)
 * Last activity: [1 day, 6 hours ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/elementor-causes-critical-error-get_default_args-on-array-elements-php-line/#post-19042363)
 * Status: not resolved