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# Enabling and disabling PHP error messages in .htaccess

> Learn to toggle PHP error messages using the display_errors directive in .htaccess with code snippets.

This article describes how to enable and disable PHP error messages by using the **display\_errors** directive in an *.htaccess* file.

<Warning>
  **Important**

  The information in this article only applies to certain types of hosting accounts. To determine whether or not the information below applies to your account, please see [this article](/docs/changing-php-settings-and-versions).

  📘 Note

  This article assumes that you have already set up a custom *.htaccess* file. If you have not already set up a custom *.htaccess* file, please read [this article](/docs/custom-htaccess-files-for-php-settings) first.
</Warning>

## Error messages and the display\_errors directive

By default, PHP displays error messages in a user's web browser. This feature is very useful when you are initially developing and debugging your website. However, when website development is complete, displaying error messages can be a security risk. Error messages can reveal information about your website, such as path information and variables, that should be kept private.

The **display\_errors** directive controls whether or not PHP displays error messages in users' web browsers. To set the **display\_errors** directive, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your account [using SSH](/docs/using-ssh-secure-shell).

2. Use a text editor to modify the *.htaccess* file as follows:

   * To prevent PHP from displaying error messages, add the following line:

     ```
     php_flag display_errors Off
     ```

   * To allow PHP to display error messages, add the following line:

     ```
     php_flag display_errors On
     ```

3. Save the changes to the *.htaccess* file and exit the text editor.

4. To verify that the new setting is active, create a PHP test file that contains the following code in the same directory where the *.htaccess* file is located:

   ```
   <?php phpinfo(); ?>
   ```

5. Load the test file in your web browser, and then search for the name of the directive. The **Local Value** column should display the new setting that you specified in the *.htaccess* file.

## More information

* To view a complete list of PHP directives, please visit [http://www.php.net/manual/en/ini.list.php](http://www.php.net/manual/en/ini.list.php).

* For more information about the **display\_errors** directive, please visit [http://www.php.net/manual/en/errorfunc.configuration.php#ini.display-errors](http://www.php.net/manual/en/errorfunc.configuration.php#ini.display-errors).

## Related articles

* [Custom .htaccess files for PHP settings](/docs/custom-htaccess-files-for-php-settings)

* [Using PHP directives in custom .htaccess files](/docs/using-php-directives-in-custom-htaccess-files)