WordPress Does Not Show Deprecated?

When working with WordPress, especially in development or debugging mode, it is essential to identify deprecated functions, features, or warnings. These deprecated elements are outdated and may not be supported in future versions. By default, WordPress may suppress these messages to avoid cluttering the user interface. If you need to make WordPress show deprecated warnings for debugging purposes, here’s how you can enable them and address the issue.

What Does Deprecated Mean in WordPress?

In WordPress, a deprecated function or feature indicates that it is outdated and will be removed in future releases. Developers are encouraged to transition to alternatives provided by the latest versions. Examples include changes in hooks, APIs, or functionality that are no longer efficient or secure.

Why Does WordPress Suppress Deprecated Warnings?

By default, WordPress suppresses deprecated warnings and notices to ensure a smooth user experience, especially on live sites. However, developers often enable these messages during debugging to identify outdated code and prepare for future compatibility.

Steps to Show Deprecated Warnings in WordPress

Follow these straightforward steps to make WordPress display deprecated warnings:

1. Enable Debugging in WordPress

WordPress debugging mode must be activated to display any errors or notices, including deprecated warnings.

Access the wp-config.php File:

Connect to your WordPress site via FTP, cPanel, or your file manager.

Locate the wp-config.php file in the root directory of your WordPress installation.

Edit the File:

Open wp-config.php using a text editor or code editor.

Enable Debugging:

Find the following line in the file:

Change false to true to enable debugging:

2. Enable Deprecated Warnings

To ensure deprecated warnings are displayed, you also need to enable WP_DEBUG_LOG and WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY.

Add the Following Code to wp-config.php:

WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY: Ensures that debug messages, including deprecated warnings, are displayed on the screen.

WP_DEBUG_LOG: Logs all debug messages into a file called debug.log in the wp-content directory.

Save and Upload the File:

Save your changes and upload the updated wp-config.php file back to your server.

3. Check Your Website

Reload your website, and you should start seeing deprecated warnings and notices on the screen if there are any.

For instance, a deprecated warning might look like this:

How to Identify Deprecated Features

Once you enable debugging, deprecated warnings will help you locate outdated features. You can take the following actions:

Check the Function or Feature:
Refer to the WordPress documentation or changelogs for details about the deprecated function and its recommended replacement.

Update Plugins and Themes:

Ensure all your plugins and themes are updated to their latest versions. Many deprecated warnings stem from outdated code in these components.

Use Developer Tools:
Plugins like Query Monitor can help you identify deprecated functions and track down their source in your code.

Important Notes on Debugging

Disable Debugging on Live Sites:
Debugging should only be enabled in a staging or development environment. On live sites, exposing debug messages can create security risks and disrupt user experience. Set WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY to false and rely on the debug log instead.

Check the Debug Log:
If you don’t want errors displayed on-screen, you can review the debug.log file in the wp-content directory.

How to Suppress Deprecated Warnings Again

If you no longer need to see deprecated warnings, disable debugging:

Open the wp-config.php file.

Set WP_DEBUG back to false:

Save the file and upload it to your server.

Benefits of Showing Deprecated Warnings

Future-Proofing Your Site:
Deprecated warnings help you identify and update outdated code, ensuring compatibility with future WordPress versions.

Enhanced Site Security:
Addressing deprecated features helps close vulnerabilities that may exist in old functions.

Improved Performance:
Transitioning to recommended replacements ensures your website runs efficiently with modern coding standards.

Conclusion

Enabling deprecated warnings in WordPress is a crucial step for developers and site owners who want to maintain the compatibility and performance of their websites. By following the steps outlined above, you can quickly identify and resolve deprecated functions or features. Remember to disable debugging on live sites and focus on updating your plugins, themes, and custom code for a seamless user experience.