server error log

Server Error Log is online document which indicates error processes when something goes wrong on server, e.g. when one of the site pages goes blank.

Usually the file includes list of errors which occurred on server during processing, the errors are listed in ascending order: the latest error is displayed at the bottom of file.

Basically, error message or warning includes 2 parts: time when the error occurred and path to the file where error is located.

The Error Log can also point to incorrect files and folders permissions or outdated PHP/MySQL version, it can also notify user if any function or attribute will be deprecated in next PHP version.

File can be autocreated in server root directory and called «error_log», some hosts provide a separate tab for logs display. You can always contact your hosting provider to access error log in order to define which process prevents the site from proper functioning.

In some CMS engines like Prestashop or Magento, it’s possible to check errors logs without contacting host, it’s very convenient when Host doesn’t have 24/7 online support. Feel free to check links below to learn how to activate error logs in some engines:

PrestaShop

Magento