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# Managing PHP error messages with the display_errors directive

> Learn to toggle PHP error messages using the display_errors directive in php.ini with our guide, complete with instructions and code snippets.

This article describes how to enable and disable PHP error messages by using the **display\_errors** directive in a *php.ini* 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 *php.ini* file on your web site. If you have not already set up a custom *php.ini* file, please read [this article](/docs/custom-php-ini-files) 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 prevent PHP from displaying error messages, use a text editor to modify the **display\_errors** directive in the *php.ini* file as follows:

```
display_errors = off
```

To allow PHP to display error messages, modify the **display\_errors** directive in the *php.ini* file as follows:

```
display_errors = on
```

<Tip>
  To verify the current value of the **display\_errors** directive and other directives, you can use the **phpinfo()** function. For more information, please see [this article](/docs/view-php-settings).
</Tip>

## More information

* To view a complete list of *php.ini* 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 php.ini files](/docs/custom-php-ini-files)

* [Using php.ini directives](/docs/using-php-ini-directives)