Title: Fatal Errors with PHP8.1
Last modified: June 22, 2026

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# Fatal Errors with PHP8.1

 *  Resolved [tommcgee](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tommcgee/)
 * (@tommcgee)
 * [1 week, 6 days ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-errors-with-php8-1/)
 * My server log shows:
   2026/06/22 10:25:17 [error] 75915#75915: *2221245 FastCGI
   sent in stderr: “PHP message: PHP Fatal error: Uncaught TypeError: Cannot access
   offset of type string on string in /www/blogsshuedu_468/public/wp-content/plugins/
   cool-timeline/includes/shortcodes/class-ctl-loop-helpers.php:216This is line 
   216:$ctl_story_date = $ctl_story_type[‘ctl_story_date’];Maybe it’s trying to 
   access a string offset of something that’s not an array?

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

 *  Plugin Author [CoolHappy](https://wordpress.org/support/users/narinder-singh/)
 * (@narinder-singh)
 * [1 week, 6 days ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-errors-with-php8-1/#post-18945190)
 * Hi [@tommcgee](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tommcgee/),
 * Thank you for reporting this issue.
 * Based on the error message, it appears that the variable `$ctl_story_type` is
   expected to be an array, but it is receiving a string instead. We need to investigate
   further to determine why the value is not in the expected format.
 * Could you please share the URL of the page where you have added the timeline?
   
   Also, let us know if the issue occurs on all timelines or only a specific one.
 * This information will help us reproduce the issue and identify the root cause.
 *  Thread Starter [tommcgee](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tommcgee/)
 * (@tommcgee)
 * [1 week, 6 days ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-errors-with-php8-1/#post-18945216)
 * I only have one timeline running, and it’s on this page:
   [https://blogs.shu.edu/baoxuemi/the-chinese-in-america/](https://blogs.shu.edu/baoxuemi/the-chinese-in-america/)
 * I applied a one-line patch, which is why it’s working now.
   `$ctl_story_date =
   is_array( $ctl_story_type ) ? $ctl_story_type['ctl_story_date'] : get_post_meta(
   $post_id, 'ctl_story_date', true );`
 *  Plugin Author [CoolHappy](https://wordpress.org/support/users/narinder-singh/)
 * (@narinder-singh)
 * [1 week, 6 days ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-errors-with-php8-1/#post-18945224)
 * Glad to hear that the quick patch has resolved the issue on your site.
 * Our team will investigate the root cause in more detail to understand why `$ctl_story_type`
   is not always returned in the expected format. Based on our findings, we’ll work
   on implementing a proper fix in an upcoming plugin update.
 * Thank you for reporting this issue and sharing your workaround.
 *  Plugin Support [Aniket Dogra](https://wordpress.org/support/users/aniketji/)
 * (@aniketji)
 * [1 week, 4 days ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-errors-with-php8-1/#post-18946873)
 * Hi [@tommcgee](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tommcgee/),
 * Thank you for your patience.
   We’ve fixed this issue and included the fix in the
   latest plugin version **3.3.4**. Could you please update the plugin and verify
   it on your end?If you encounter any issues or have any questions, please feel
   free to reach out. We’ll be happy to assist you.
 * Thanks & Regards
 *  Thread Starter [tommcgee](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tommcgee/)
 * (@tommcgee)
 * [1 week, 3 days ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-errors-with-php8-1/#post-18947999)
 * Looks like it’s working now, thanks!

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

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 * 5 replies
 * 3 participants
 * Last reply from: [tommcgee](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tommcgee/)
 * Last activity: [1 week, 3 days ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-errors-with-php8-1/#post-18947999)
 * Status: resolved