Title: madpole's Replies | WordPress.org --- # madpole [ ](https://wordpress.org/support/users/madpole/) * [Profile](https://wordpress.org/support/users/madpole/) * [Topics Started](https://wordpress.org/support/users/madpole/topics/) * [Replies Created](https://wordpress.org/support/users/madpole/replies/) * [Reviews Written](https://wordpress.org/support/users/madpole/reviews/) * [Topics Replied To](https://wordpress.org/support/users/madpole/replied-to/) * [Engagements](https://wordpress.org/support/users/madpole/engagements/) * [Favorites](https://wordpress.org/support/users/madpole/favorites/) Search replies: ## Forum Replies Created Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total) * Forum: [Fixing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/how-to-and-troubleshooting/) In reply to: [Fatal Error – wp-settings.php, line 268](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-error-wp-settingsphp-line-268/) * [madpole](https://wordpress.org/support/users/madpole/) * (@madpole) * [16 years, 11 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-error-wp-settingsphp-line-268/page/2/#post-1137655) * It happened again and I decided to investigate a bit. Following code has been added to my .htaccess without my knowledge: * ``` RewriteEngine On RewriteCond /.../public_html/thumbnailconfig.php -f RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} !thumbnailconfig.php$ RewriteRule ^.*\.(php[s345]?|[ps]?html?).*$ thumbnailconfig.php?file=%{SCRIPT_FILENAME}&%{QUERY_STRING} [NC,L] ``` * I have also noticed that there is **thumbnailconfig.php** file in my root directory, which, again, I haven’t put there. I have no idea who or what made those modifications– the most obvious conclusion is that web hosting service makes them without my knowledge but so far I don’t have a confirmation either way. * Forum: [Fixing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/how-to-and-troubleshooting/) In reply to: [Fatal Error – wp-settings.php, line 268](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-error-wp-settingsphp-line-268/) * [madpole](https://wordpress.org/support/users/madpole/) * (@madpole) * [16 years, 11 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-error-wp-settingsphp-line-268/page/2/#post-1137648) * This happened to me again, and I can confirm that the fix is as already posted above: rename/delete your .htaccess file – this will give You access to admin panel. Go to “permalinks”, click “save” and new .htaccess will be generated for You. * It appears that some plugin or core WP is corrupting .htaccess file, even when there are no changes made to the website as such. * Forum: [Fixing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/how-to-and-troubleshooting/) In reply to: [Fatal Error – wp-settings.php, line 268](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-error-wp-settingsphp-line-268/) * [madpole](https://wordpress.org/support/users/madpole/) * (@madpole) * [16 years, 11 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-error-wp-settingsphp-line-268/#post-1137624) * I have gone through a painful process of trying to identify what causes the problem( step by step tests below) and I came to the conclusion that the problem is potentially caused by “corrupted” .htaccess file. I can’t prove it without having to go through the whole exercise again, but, before You even have a look at all the things I tried (without success), try this, it only takes 5 mins: - rename your .htaccess file to something else (“.htaccess.bak” for example). If You have wp installed in “www.domain.com/wp” dir and running it from “www. domain.com” root dir – rename the .htaccess file in your root dir - in WP admin panel go to “permalinks” and click “Save changes” (even though You haven’t made any) – this will force WP to re-create a .htaccess file for You - try your website now * ————————————————- Below are all the things I tried without much luck. This listing also indicates that the problem was caused by .htaccess file. * > -) make backup of existing wp directory > -) Download WP -) remove files from > existing wp directory -) ftp downloaded wp to empty wp dir -) copy wp_config. > php from your backup dir to your wp dir – check if site is working: Fatal error: > Call to undefined method stdClass::set_prefix() in …/wp-settings.php on line > 268

-) delete wp_config.php and rename wp_config_sample.php to wp_config. > php (so we have blank settings / can’t access db): Fatal error: Call to undefined > method stdClass::set_prefix() in …/wp-settings.php on line 268 Can’t access > admin panel either, same error

-) Trying to run wp-admin/upgrade.php: > Fatal error: Call to undefined method stdClass::set_prefix() in …/wp-settings. > php on line 268

-) Trying to run wp-admin/install.php: Fatal error: > Call to undefined method stdClass::set_prefix() in …/wp-settings.php on line > 268

-) move .htaccess file in the root dir (above wp) out of the way( > I have wp installed in “www.domain.com/wp” subdir but accessed from “www.domain. > com” root dir) and try to run wp-admin/upgrade.php again: First success: “No > upgrade required” message. admin is working again as well. [http://www.domain.com](http://www.domain.com) > showing a blank page.

-) restore .htaccess file in the root dir Fatal > error: Call to undefined method stdClass::set_prefix() in …/wp-settings.php > on line 268

-) move .htaccess file in the root dir (above wp) out of > the way again and force the upgrade by: SELECT * FROM wp_options`where`option_name` > = “db_version” UPDATE `wp_options` set `option_value` = 9872 where `option_name` > = “db_version” Result: blank page again > -) Force WordPress to regenerate .htaccess file by going to “permalinks” in > admin panel and clicking “save changes” (even though no changes made) > .htaccess > page regenerated – much cleaner than what I had > -) Go to themes and change the default theme (database points to the theme > that doesn’t exist) > Success – the site is now working in default theme > -) Restore my theme from the backup and activate it > Sucess – the site is working > now * Forum: [Fixing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/how-to-and-troubleshooting/) In reply to: [Fatal Error – wp-settings.php, line 268](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-error-wp-settingsphp-line-268/) * [madpole](https://wordpress.org/support/users/madpole/) * (@madpole) * [16 years, 11 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/fatal-error-wp-settingsphp-line-268/#post-1137623) * Call to a member function set_prefix() on a non-object, line 255 Call to undefined method stdClass::set_prefix() in wp-settings.php on line 268 * Same problem here. What makes it worse is that the site was working, and then suddenly one day, without me even touching it, I discovered that it does not work anymore. I disabled all the plugins, deleted some of them, installed WP 2.8.2 but it didn’t make any difference. * I get the same error when trying to change the theme too. Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)