How to Resolve PHP Session Errors in WordPress

How to Resolve PHP Session Errors in WordPress

**Description:**A step-by-step guide for WordPress users on Brixly shared hosting to troubleshoot and fix PHP session directory configuration issues that may prevent plugin functionality.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Common Causes of PHP Session Errors
• Diagnosing PHP Session Errors
• Step-by-Step Solutions
  • 1. Check PHP Version and Session Settings in cPanel
  • 2. Set a Custom Session Save Path
  • 3. Correct Directory Permissions
• Troubleshooting Tips
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Need More Help?

Introduction

WordPress plugins often rely on PHP sessions to store temporary user data. If the session directory is misconfigured or inaccessible, you may see errors like:

• Warning: session_start(): open(/tmp/sess_XXXXX, O_RDWR) failed
• PHP Warning: session_write_close()

These issues can disrupt plugin functionality, logins, and even some WooCommerce features. This guide will help you resolve session directory errors on your shared hosting account using cPanel.

Common Causes of PHP Session Errors

• The default PHP session directory (/tmp) is not writable or accessible.
• A custom session save path is not set or is misconfigured.
• Incorrect permissions on the session directory.
• Incompatible or outdated PHP version.

Diagnosing PHP Session Errors

1. **Check Error Messages:**Session errors are usually visible in your site’s error logs or directly in your browser.Example:

   Warning: session_start(): open(/tmp/sess_xxxxx, O_RDWR) failed: Permission denied (13)
   

2. Locate the Error Log:

   • Log in to cPanel.
   • Go to Metrics > Errors or use File Manager to view the error_log in your site's root directory.

Step-by-Step Solutions

1. Check PHP Version and Session Settings in cPanel

1. Log in to cPanel.
2. Navigate to Software > Select PHP Version.
3. Click on Options or PHP Options.
4. Locate the session.save_path setting.
   • If empty or pointing to /tmp, consider setting it to a custom directory within your home folder (see below).

2. Set a Custom Session Save Path

If the default /tmp directory is causing issues, set a session path you control:

A. Create a Session Directory

1. In cPanel, open File Manager.
2. Click + Folder to create a new folder in your home directory (e.g., /home/yourusername/phpsessions).
3. Ensure the folder name is easy to identify (avoid spaces and special characters).

B. Set the Session Path in cPanel

1. Go back to Select PHP Version > Options.

2. Find the session.save_path field.

3. Enter the path to your new directory:

   /home/yourusername/phpsessions
   

   (Replace yourusername with your actual cPanel username.)

4. Click Save (or changes save automatically, depending on the cPanel theme).

C. Alternatively, Set the Session Path in .htaccess

If you cannot change the setting via cPanel, add this to your .htaccess file (in the root of your website):

php_value session.save_path "/home/yourusername/phpsessions"

Note: Not all shared hosting environments permit this. If you see a 500 error after saving, remove this line.

3. Correct Directory Permissions

• The session directory must be writable by PHP.

• In File Manager, right-click your session folder and choose Change Permissions.

• Set permissions to 700 (Owner: Read/Write/Execute).

  rwx------   (octal 700)
  

  This ensures security and functionality.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Clear Your Browser Cache: Sometimes, old session data causes confusion.
• Disable/Enable Plugins: If a specific plugin triggers the error, try disabling it to confirm.
• Check for Multiple .htaccess Files: Conflicting directives can cause issues.
• Review File Ownership: Files and folders should be owned by your cPanel user.

Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: What is a PHP session path?**A directory where PHP stores temporary session files. By default, it’s /tmp, but you can set your own for improved compatibility.

**Q: Is it safe to create a session folder in my home directory?**Yes, as long as permissions are secure (700), and it’s not web-accessible.

**Q: Can I use this guide on VPS or reseller accounts?**This article is intended for shared hosting. VPS users with root access have more options, but the principles are similar.

Need More Help?

If you’ve followed these steps and still see session errors, please log in to your client area and submit a support ticket with:

• The affected domain
• Example error messages
• Steps you’ve already tried

Our team will be happy to assist further!

Last updated: July 2025