Title: Parse Error
Last modified: August 20, 2016

---

# Parse Error

 *  Resolved [philcurl](https://wordpress.org/support/users/philcurl/)
 * (@philcurl)
 * [14 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-117/)
 * Whilst setting up a new site I suddenly recieved this error & can’t get back 
   into WordPress again
    Parse error: syntax error, unexpected T_STRING in /home/
   pipi331/public_html/wp-config.php on line 17
 * I know little or nothing about code, but line 17 appears to define the database
   name ??? can anyone help please.

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

 *  Moderator [Kathryn Presner](https://wordpress.org/support/users/zoonini/)
 * (@zoonini)
 * [14 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-117/#post-2513169)
 * If you want to post line 17 here (or an excerpt of the area of the file) we can
   take a look. **Be sure to remove/replace any passwords or usernames first.**
 * If you want to post more than 10 lines, _please use a [Pastebin](http://pastebin.com/)._
 *  Thread Starter [philcurl](https://wordpress.org/support/users/philcurl/)
 * (@philcurl)
 * [14 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-117/#post-2513221)
 * Hi Zoonini
    I’ve pasted lines 16 – 19, hope you can shed some light on the problem.
 * 16 /** The name of the database for WordPress */
    17 define(‘DB_NAME’, ‘*********’);
   18 /** MySQL database username */ 19 define(‘DB_USER’, ‘*******’);
 * Thanks
    Phil
 *  Moderator [Kathryn Presner](https://wordpress.org/support/users/zoonini/)
 * (@zoonini)
 * [14 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-117/#post-2513237)
 * Hmm – that looks fine, the problem must be elsewhere. Can you copy the whole 
   thing **(minus sensitive info like passwords, etc.)** into a Pastebin? [http://pastebin.com/](http://pastebin.com/)
 * Also – make sure there are **no blank lines** at the top or bottom of the file.
 *  Moderator [Kathryn Presner](https://wordpress.org/support/users/zoonini/)
 * (@zoonini)
 * [14 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-117/#post-2513238)
 * Just to be sure, from the Codex:
 * > Double Check Before Saving
   > Be sure to check for leading and/or trailing spaces around any of the above
   > values you entered, and DON’T delete the single quotes!
   > Before you save the file, be sure to double-check that you have not accidentally
   > deleted any of the single quotes around the parameter values. Be sure there
   > is nothing after the closing PHP tag in the file. The last thing in the file
   > should be ?> and nothing else. No spaces.
 * [http://codex.wordpress.org/Editing_wp-config.php](http://codex.wordpress.org/Editing_wp-config.php)
 *  Thread Starter [philcurl](https://wordpress.org/support/users/philcurl/)
 * (@philcurl)
 * [14 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-117/#post-2513268)
 * I took a clean copy of wp-config.php and inserted my database details into it
   as well as the keys at the end of the file & when i uploaded it I was able to
   access WordPress. So the problem is resolved but I am still at a loss as to what
   caused it, this is the second site that this has happened on (previously I just
   reloaded WP) could it be a particular plugin that could cause it? Thanks for 
   your help with this problem.
 *  Moderator [Kathryn Presner](https://wordpress.org/support/users/zoonini/)
 * (@zoonini)
 * [14 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-117/#post-2513271)
 * Glad you got it sorted. It’s difficult to say what it could have been – perhaps
   empty lines or spaces that are difficult to see with the naked eye?
 * I’m marking this resolved for now – if it happens again, please start a new thread
   and post the file in a pastebin. Thanks!

Viewing 6 replies - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

The topic ‘Parse Error’ is closed to new replies.

 * In: [Fixing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/how-to-and-troubleshooting/)
 * 6 replies
 * 2 participants
 * Last reply from: [Kathryn Presner](https://wordpress.org/support/users/zoonini/)
 * Last activity: [14 years, 3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/parse-error-117/#post-2513271)
 * Status: resolved

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