Title: Error during installation – index.php problem Last modified: August 19, 2016 --- # Error during installation – index.php problem * Resolved [tdcinhawaii](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tdcinhawaii/) * (@tdcinhawaii) * [15 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-during-installation-indexphp-problem/) * Kind of a long story how I got to this point – and I’ll be the first to admit when it comes to this – I know just enough to be dangerous. However, here’s the situation: I have to rebuild the files for this blog. But since there are numerous entries, uploads etc. I don’t want to rebuild the database. * This is the error I am now receiving * Fatal error: Call to undefined function: get_header() in /home/mydatabase/wordpress/ index.php on line 1 * Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 16 total) 1 [2](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-during-installation-indexphp-problem/page/2/?output_format=md) [→](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-during-installation-indexphp-problem/page/2/?output_format=md) * Moderator [James Huff](https://wordpress.org/support/users/macmanx/) * (@macmanx) * [15 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-during-installation-indexphp-problem/#post-1735212) * Try [downloading WordPress](http://wordpress.org/download/) again and delete then replace your copies of everything **except** the `wp-config.php` file and the `/wp-content/` directory with fresh copies from the download. This will effectively replace all of your core files without damaging your content and settings. Some uploaders tend to be unreliable when overwriting files, so don’t forget to delete the original files before replacing them. * Thread Starter [tdcinhawaii](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tdcinhawaii/) * (@tdcinhawaii) * [15 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-during-installation-indexphp-problem/#post-1735227) * James – Thank you. I will try that. However, after playing around a bit with the files, I’ve now graduated to the “Error Connecting to Database”. I’ve confirmed that the info in the wp-config file is correct, so I am freshly stumped. Any other suggestions? * [obscure](https://wordpress.org/support/users/obscure/) * (@obscure) * [15 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-during-installation-indexphp-problem/#post-1735245) * Did you confirm it was correct by reading it or by actually connecting to the database? You should test the database/confirm the connection details by connecting using phpMyAdmin. * Moderator [James Huff](https://wordpress.org/support/users/macmanx/) * (@macmanx) * [15 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-during-installation-indexphp-problem/#post-1735248) * Contact your hosting provider and ask if the database server has gone offline. * Thread Starter [tdcinhawaii](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tdcinhawaii/) * (@tdcinhawaii) * [15 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-during-installation-indexphp-problem/#post-1735264) * First of all – THANK YOU both for your help. Every little bit helps me piece it together. You guys are awesome. * [@obscure](https://wordpress.org/support/users/obscure/) – I only looked at the file. How do I go about testing it in phpMyAdmin? * [@james](https://wordpress.org/support/users/james/) – I’ve spoken with the hosting service. All is well. * If either of you can tell me how I should test it in phpMyAdmin, that would be awesome. * (Reinstalling WordPress now.) * THANKS * Thread Starter [tdcinhawaii](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tdcinhawaii/) * (@tdcinhawaii) * [15 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-during-installation-indexphp-problem/#post-1735268) * I also just adjusted my permissions to 755, as I remember last time I used this hosting company I had problems with permissions. * Reinstalled WordPress (except wp-config and content folder as suggested above). * Neither of those seem to be solving the problem. * Any other suggestions? * Thanks! * Moderator [James Huff](https://wordpress.org/support/users/macmanx/) * (@macmanx) * [15 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-during-installation-indexphp-problem/#post-1735280) * Your hosting provider my have phpMyAdmin available in their control panel. See if you can access your database via that. * Also, you should confirm your database connection details with your hosting provider, specifically the `DB_HOST` value. * Thread Starter [tdcinhawaii](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tdcinhawaii/) * (@tdcinhawaii) * [15 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-during-installation-indexphp-problem/#post-1735286) * [@james](https://wordpress.org/support/users/james/) – * I can access the database through phpMyAdmim – my problem is that I don’t know what to do when I am there (did I mention I know enough to be dangerous)? * Is it possible to retrieve the database password through phpMyAdmin? I’m beginning to get a sneaky suspicion that’s the source of my problem. * Moderator [James Huff](https://wordpress.org/support/users/macmanx/) * (@macmanx) * [15 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-during-installation-indexphp-problem/#post-1735292) * > I can access the database through phpMyAdmim – my problem is that I don’t know > what to do when I am there (did I mention I know enough to be dangerous)? * Accessing it was all that was necessary. It confirms that the database server is indeed online. * > Is it possible to retrieve the database password through phpMyAdmin? I’m beginning > to get a sneaky suspicion that’s the source of my problem. * No, that would either be listed somewhere in your hosting provider’s control panel, or you’d have to ask them for it. * Thread Starter [tdcinhawaii](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tdcinhawaii/) * (@tdcinhawaii) * [15 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-during-installation-indexphp-problem/#post-1735301) * I’ve changed the password of the database user; and changed the wp-config.php and confirmed the DB_HOST value. * Can you think of any other reason why I would be having trouble connecting to the database? * Moderator [James Huff](https://wordpress.org/support/users/macmanx/) * (@macmanx) * [15 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-during-installation-indexphp-problem/#post-1735302) * Try repairing the database. * Access your WordPress database via phpMyAdmin (most hosting providers offer this in their control panel), check all of the tables, and choose “Repair tables” from the pull-down menu. * Thread Starter [tdcinhawaii](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tdcinhawaii/) * (@tdcinhawaii) * [15 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-during-installation-indexphp-problem/#post-1735314) * James – you’ve been such a huge help. I don’t know what to do next. * I ran a test by using: [http://www.webune.com/forums/how-to-test-mysql-database-connection.html](http://www.webune.com/forums/how-to-test-mysql-database-connection.html) * and I was connected to the database successfully. I’ve rebooted and cleared my cache. * I have my WordPress files in a public_html folder. Do I need to add any files to the root folder? * Moderator [James Huff](https://wordpress.org/support/users/macmanx/) * (@macmanx) * [15 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-during-installation-indexphp-problem/#post-1735319) * Did you try repairing the database? * Thread Starter [tdcinhawaii](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tdcinhawaii/) * (@tdcinhawaii) * [15 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-during-installation-indexphp-problem/#post-1735439) * Hi James – * I did try repairing the database. Here’s where I am now: I reloaded the config file with a new username and password. With that, I am able to access the dashboard, which is as far as I have come so far. * However, when I type in the address, I get nothing but a blank screen. I know this is a file or a setting, I just don’t know which one. Any advice? * Thread Starter [tdcinhawaii](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tdcinhawaii/) * (@tdcinhawaii) * [15 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-during-installation-indexphp-problem/#post-1735446) * James – quick update: I have a theme problem. I’m in the process of reloading the theme, which should take me to where I need to go. * I can not thank you enough for your help. You were a light in the middle of a crazy quagmire this weekend. * Thanks again!! Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 16 total) 1 [2](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-during-installation-indexphp-problem/page/2/?output_format=md) [→](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-during-installation-indexphp-problem/page/2/?output_format=md) The topic ‘Error during installation – index.php problem’ is closed to new replies. ## Tags * [index](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/index/) * In: [Installing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/installation/) * 16 replies * 3 participants * Last reply from: [James Huff](https://wordpress.org/support/users/macmanx/) * Last activity: [15 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/error-during-installation-indexphp-problem/page/2/#post-1735461) * Status: resolved ## Topics ### Topics with no replies ### Non-support topics ### Resolved topics ### Unresolved topics ### All topics