PHP Deprecated: strip_tags() with PHP 8.4.24

  • Riversatile

    (@riversatile)


    2 weeks ago

    Hi,
    Just for your information, I can see 2 PHP Deprecated using PHP 8.4.24.

    PHP: 8.4.24
    WordPress: 7.0.4
    Widget Options: Lastest version

    [21-Aug-2026 08:34:05 UTC] PHP Deprecated:  strip_tags(): Passing null to parameter #1 ($string) of type string is deprecated in /.../wp-includes/widgets/class-wp-widget-recent-posts.php on line 104
    [21-Aug-2026 08:34:05 UTC] PHP Deprecated:  strip_tags(): Passing null to parameter #1 ($string) of type string is deprecated in /.../wp-includes/widgets/class-wp-widget-categories.php on line 137
Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
  • Plugin Author Mej de Castro

    (@mej)

    1 week, 4 days ago

    Hi Riversatile,

    Thank you for providing your PHP, WordPress, and Widget Options details.

    We tested this under PHP 8.4 but were unable to reproduce the deprecation warning on our end. To help us match your setup, could you please confirm the following?

    1. The exact Widget Options version number shown on your Plugins screen.
    2. The widget that triggers the warning, such as Recent Posts or Categories.
    3. Whether the Hide Widget Title option is enabled for that widget.
    4. The steps that consistently trigger the warning.
    5. Your active theme and version.
    6. Whether you are using the block-based Widgets screen or the Classic Widgets interface.
    7. Whether the warning stops when Widget Options is temporarily deactivated.

    If possible, please also share the complete deprecation entry, including the file paths and line numbers. Please remove any private server or account information before posting it publicly.

    Once we have these details, we can reproduce the same setup and continue investigating.

    Kind Regards,
    Mej, Widget Options Team

    Thread Starter Riversatile

    (@riversatile)

    1 week, 3 days ago

    Hi Mej,

    1. The exact Widget Options version number shown on your Plugins screen.
      Version 4.2.5
    2. The widget that triggers the warning, such as Recent Posts or Categories.
      Both: Recent Posts or Categories
    3. Whether the Hide Widget Title option is enabled for that widget.
      Hide Widget Title is enabled for both
    4. The steps that consistently trigger the warning.
      When I view any page of the front-end (containing the widgets)
    5. Your active theme and version.
      Hello Elementor
      Version 3.4.9
    6. Whether you are using the block-based Widgets screen or the Classic Widgets interface.
      Elementor (in the footer template)
    7. Whether the warning stops when Widget Options is temporarily deactivated.
      Sure, the warning stops when Widget Options is temporarily deactivated
    PHP Deprecated:  strip_tags(): Passing null to parameter #1 ($string) of type string is deprecated in .../wp-includes/widgets/class-wp-widget-recent-posts.php on line 104

    I’m not able to see the full stack of PHP.
    What is certain is that WordPress sees a ‘null’ value in $title. And this is deprecated in PHP 8.4.24

    line 104     $title = trim( strip_tags( $title ) );
    Plugin Author Mej de Castro

    (@mej)

    1 week ago

    Hello Riversatile,

    Thank you for providing the additional details.

    We were able to gather the relevant information regarding the two PHP deprecated warnings affecting the Recent Posts and Categories widgets when using PHP 8.4.24. We have reported the issue to our development team for further investigation.

    We will keep you updated once we have more information or a fix is available.

    Thank you for your report and for helping us investigate this issue.

    Kind regards,
    Mej, Widget Options Team

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

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