Troubleshooting Client Area Template Issues - Revision history

SarahK at 21:49, 26 January 2023

2023-01-26T21:49:36Z

SarahK at 19:57, 9 May 2022

2022-05-09T19:57:46Z

SarahK at 23:05, 20 November 2020

2020-11-20T23:05:30Z

SarahK: /* Check the Logs */

2020-08-06T12:14:38Z

‎Check the Logs

SarahK at 13:59, 4 August 2020

2020-08-04T13:59:19Z

John: /* Check the Logs */

2016-01-14T14:28:42Z

‎Check the Logs

Matt: /* Try a Different Template */

2015-07-07T19:35:08Z

‎Try a Different Template

Matt: Created page with "You've upgraded your installation, but now your custom client area template is no longer working. Then you've come to the right place. Let's start at the beginning... ==Why..."

2015-07-07T19:31:36Z

Created page with "You've upgraded your installation, but now your custom client area template is no longer working. Then you've come to the right place. Let's start at the beginning... ==Why..."

New page

You've upgraded your installation, but now your custom client area template is no longer working.

Then you've come to the right place. Let's start at the beginning...

==Why does this happen?==

A blank or partially rendered page indicates a fatal PHP error is occurring which stops the execution from being able to continue. This can be caused by a number of reasons, most commonly:

* Using PHP code blocks in your template without the '''Allow Smarty PHP Tags''' setting enabled (go to Setup > General Settings > Security to enable it)
* A custom or third party module or hook that is incompatible with the new version
* A syntax issue in your template
* Using features of Smarty that have been removed in the upstream Smarty package

For more detailed information, please see [[Blank or Partially Rendered Pages]].

==Check the Logs==

The first place to check any time you encounter an error of this nature is the activity log. This can be acccessed by navigating to '''Utilities > Logs > Activity Log''' within the admin area. All errors encountered by the Smarty templating engine are logged here, and should help pinpoint the exact template and section of code that is causing the problem.

==Try a Different Template==

If you don't find anything in the activity logs, try switching to one of the default templates to rule out issues with custom or third party code. If changing to a different template allows the client area to load successfully, then you know the issue is your template. If it does not, then your issue is more likely related to a module or hook.

To change the template your system is set to use, navigate to '''Setup > General Settings''' and choose one of the default templates in the '''Template''' setting found on the first tab of the settings.

==Check Your Templates for Legacy Smarty Functions==

Most custom templates won't need any updates to be compatible with newer versions of Smarty, but those features only available in Smarty 2 will need to be migrated to ensure a smooth transition to the latest version.

For more information on exactly what's changed, please refer to our [[Version 6 Template Migration Guide]].

==Contact our Support Team==

If none of the above help, then you should contact our support team for further assistance. To do that, visit http://www.whmcs.com/support/ and select the '''Ask Us''' link.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 A blank or partially-rendered page indicates a fatal PHP error that stops execution from being able to continue. There can be many causes for this issue. For example:
-−
 * A custom or third-party module or hook that is incompatible with the new version.
 * A syntax issue in your system theme template.
-* Using Smarty features that the upstream Smarty package has removed.
+* Using Smarty features that the upstream Smarty package has removed or using legacy Smarty tags in your system theme template.
-−
 For more information, see [[Blank or Partially Rendered Pages]].
 ==Check the Logs==
-−
 Check the '''[[Activity_Logs|Activity Log]]''' at '''Configuration (<i class="fa fa-wrench" aria-hidden="true"></i>) > [[System Logs]]''' or, prior to WHMCS 8.0, '''Utilities > Logs > Activity Log'''. This logs all of the errors that the Smarty templating engine encounters. You can use this to find the exact system theme template and section of code that is causing the problem.
-−
 ==Try a Different System Theme Template==
-−
 If you don't find anything in the activity logs, switching to a different system theme template will help determine the cause of the issue.
-−
-* If changing to a different system theme template allows the client area to load successfully, the issue is in your system theme template itself.
+* If changing to a different system theme template allows the Client Area to load successfully, the issue is in your system theme template itself.
-* If you continue to experience problems loading the client area with other system theme templates, then your issue is more likely related to a module or hook and not a specific individual system theme template.
+* If you continue to experience problems loading the Client Area with other system theme templates, then your issue is more likely related to a module or hook and not a specific individual system theme template.
-−
 To change the system theme template that your WHMCS system uses, use the '''System Theme''' setting in the '''[[General Tab|General]]''' tab at '''Configuration (<i class="fa fa-wrench" aria-hidden="true"></i>) > System Settings > General Settings''' or, prior to WHMCS 8.0, '''Setup > General Settings'''.  Then, click '''Save''' and attempt to visit your Client Area.
-−
 ==Check Your System Theme Templates for Legacy Smarty Functions==
-Most custom system theme templates won't need any updates to be compatible with newer versions of Smarty. However, you must migrate features that are only available in Smarty 2 to ensure a smooth transition to the latest version.
+If your custom themes or templates use features that are not available in the most recent version of Smarty, you will need to update them for compatibility.
-For more information, see our [[Version 6 Template Migration Guide]].
+We moved from Smarty 2 to Smarty 3 in WHMCS 6.0. Smarty 3 removed several legacy tags and we deprecated their use and implemented a setting for <tt>{php}</tt> tag backwards compatibility in WHMCS 6.0. We will '''remove support entirely''' in WHMCS 9.0.
-==Contact our Support Team==
+<div class="docs-alert-warning">
-For additional assistance, [http://www.whmcs.com/support/ contact our support team].
+* To use the legacy <tt>{php}</tt> tag in WHMCS 6.0 through 8.7, enable '''Allow Smarty PHP Tags''' in the '''[[Security Tab|Security]]''' tab at '''Configuration (<i class="fa fa-wrench" aria-hidden="true"></i>) > System Settings > General Settings'''.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-You've upgraded your installation, but now your custom system theme template is no longer working. The steps below may help you.
+A blank or partially-rendered page indicates a fatal PHP error that stops execution from being able to continue. There can be many causes for this issue. For example:
-==Why does this happen?==
+* Using PHP code blocks in your system theme template without enabling the '''Allow Smarty PHP Tags''' setting in the '''[[Security Tab|Security]]''' tab at '''Configuration (<i class="fa fa-wrench" aria-hidden="true"></i>) > System Settings > General Settings''' or, prior to WHMCS 8.0, '''Setup > General Settings'''.
 * A custom or third-party module or hook that is incompatible with the new version.
 * A syntax issue in your system theme template.
-* Using Smarty features that have been removed in the upstream Smarty package.
+* Using Smarty features that the upstream Smarty package has removed.
-For more detailed information, see [[Blank or Partially Rendered Pages]].
+For more information, see [[Blank or Partially Rendered Pages]].
 ==Check the Logs==
-When you encounter an error of this nature, check the '''[[Activity_Logs|Activity Log]]'''. This can be acccessed by navigating to '''Configuration (<i class="fa fa-wrench" aria-hidden="true"></i>) > System Logs''' ('''Utilities > Logs > Activity Log''' in WHMCS 7.x and earlier) within the admin area. All of the errors encountered by the Smarty templating engine are logged here. They should help you find the exact system theme template and section of code that is causing the problem.
+Check the '''[[Activity_Logs|Activity Log]]''' at '''Configuration (<i class="fa fa-wrench" aria-hidden="true"></i>) > [[System Logs]]''' or, prior to WHMCS 8.0, '''Utilities > Logs > Activity Log'''. This logs all of the errors that the Smarty templating engine encounters. You can use this to find the exact system theme template and section of code that is causing the problem.
 ==Try a Different System Theme Template==
@@ Line 20: / Line 18: @@
 If you don't find anything in the activity logs, switching to a different system theme template will help determine the cause of the issue.
-If changing to a different system theme template allows the client area to load successfully, the issue is in your system theme template itself. If you continue to experience problems loading the client area with other system theme templates, then your issue is more likely related to a module or hook and not a specific individual system theme template.
+* If changing to a different system theme template allows the client area to load successfully, the issue is in your system theme template itself.
-To change the system theme template your WHMCS system uses, navigate to '''Configuration (<i class="fa fa-wrench" aria-hidden="true"></i>) > System Settings > General Settings''' and choose one of the default system theme templates in the '''System Theme''' setting in the '''General''' tab.  Then, click '''Save''' and attempt to visit your client area.
+To change the system theme template that your WHMCS system uses, use the '''System Theme''' setting in the '''[[General Tab|General]]''' tab at '''Configuration (<i class="fa fa-wrench" aria-hidden="true"></i>) > System Settings > General Settings''' or, prior to WHMCS 8.0, '''Setup > General Settings'''.  Then, click '''Save''' and attempt to visit your Client Area.
 ==Check Your System Theme Templates for Legacy Smarty Functions==
-Most custom system theme templates won't need any updates to be compatible with newer versions of Smarty. However, features that are only available in Smarty 2 will need to be migrated to ensure a smooth transition to the latest version.
+Most custom system theme templates won't need any updates to be compatible with newer versions of Smarty. However, you must migrate features that are only available in Smarty 2 to ensure a smooth transition to the latest version.
 For more information, see our [[Version 6 Template Migration Guide]].
@@ Line 32: / Line 31: @@
 ==Contact our Support Team==
-If none of the above help, [http://www.whmcs.com/support/ contact our support team].
+For additional assistance, [http://www.whmcs.com/support/ contact our support team].

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-You've upgraded your installation, but now your custom client area template is no longer working. The steps below may help you.
+You've upgraded your installation, but now your custom system theme template is no longer working. The steps below may help you.
-−
 ==Why does this happen?==
-−
-A blank or partially rendered page indicates a fatal PHP error is occurring which stops the execution from being able to continue.  This can be caused by a number of reasons, most commonly:
+A blank or partially rendered page indicates a fatal PHP error that stops the execution from being able to continue. This can be caused by a number of reasons. For example:
-−
-* Using PHP code blocks in your template without the '''Allow Smarty PHP Tags''' setting enabled at '''Configuration (<i class="fa fa-wrench" aria-hidden="true"></i>) > System Settings > General Settings > Security'''.
+* Using PHP code blocks in your system theme template without the '''Allow Smarty PHP Tags''' setting enabled at '''Configuration (<i class="fa fa-wrench" aria-hidden="true"></i>) > System Settings > General Settings > Security'''.
-* A custom or third party module or hook that is incompatible with the new version
+* A custom or third-party module or hook that is incompatible with the new version.
-* A syntax issue in your template
+* A syntax issue in your system theme template.
-* Using features of Smarty that have been removed in the upstream Smarty package
+* Using Smarty features that have been removed in the upstream Smarty package.
-−
-For more detailed information, please see [[Blank or Partially Rendered Pages]].
+For more detailed information, see [[Blank or Partially Rendered Pages]].
-−
 ==Check the Logs==
-−
-The first place to check any time you encounter an error of this nature is the [[Activity_Logs|Activity Log]].  This can be acccessed by navigating to '''Configuration (<i class="fa fa-wrench" aria-hidden="true"></i>) > System Logs''' ('''Utilities > Logs > Activity Log''' in WHMCS 7.x and earlier) within the admin area.  All errors encountered by the Smarty templating engine are logged here, and should help pinpoint the exact template and section of code that is causing the problem.
+When you encounter an error of this nature, check the '''[[Activity_Logs|Activity Log]]'''. This can be acccessed by navigating to '''Configuration (<i class="fa fa-wrench" aria-hidden="true"></i>) > System Logs''' ('''Utilities > Logs > Activity Log''' in WHMCS 7.x and earlier) within the admin area. All of the errors encountered by the Smarty templating engine are logged here. They should help you find the exact system theme template and section of code that is causing the problem.
-−
-==Try a Different Template==
+==Try a Different System Theme Template==
-−
-If you don't find anything in the activity logs, switching to a different template will help determine where the issue lies.
+If you don't find anything in the activity logs, switching to a different system theme template will help determine the cause of the issue.
-−
-If changing to a different template allows the client area to load successfully, then you know the issue is with your template itself.  If you continue to experience problems loading the client area with other templates, then your issue is more likely related to a module or hook and not a specific individual template.
+If changing to a different system theme template allows the client area to load successfully, the issue is in your system theme template itself. If you continue to experience problems loading the client area with other system theme templates, then your issue is more likely related to a module or hook and not a specific individual system theme template.
-−
-To change the template your WHMCS system uses, navigate to '''Configuration (<i class="fa fa-wrench" aria-hidden="true"></i>) > System Settings > General Settings''' and choose one of the default templates in the '''Template''' setting found on the first tab of the settings.  Then, hit '''Save''', and attempt to visit your client area.
+To change the system theme template your WHMCS system uses, navigate to '''Configuration (<i class="fa fa-wrench" aria-hidden="true"></i>) > System Settings > General Settings''' and choose one of the default system theme templates in the '''System Theme''' setting in the '''General''' tab.  Then, click '''Save''' and attempt to visit your client area.
-−
-==Check Your Templates for Legacy Smarty Functions==
+==Check Your System Theme Templates for Legacy Smarty Functions==
-−
-Most custom templates won't need any updates to be compatible with newer versions of Smarty, but those features only available in Smarty 2 will need to be migrated to ensure a smooth transition to the latest version.
+Most custom system theme templates won't need any updates to be compatible with newer versions of Smarty. However, features that are only available in Smarty 2 will need to be migrated to ensure a smooth transition to the latest version.
-−
-For more information on exactly what's changed, please refer to our [[Version 6 Template Migration Guide]].
+For more information, see our [[Version 6 Template Migration Guide]].
-−
 ==Contact our Support Team==
-−
-If none of the above help, then you should contact our support team for further assistance.  To do that, visit http://www.whmcs.com/support/ and select the '''Ask Us''' link.
+If none of the above help, [http://www.whmcs.com/support/ contact our support team].

@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 ==Check the Logs==
-The first place to check any time you encounter an error of this nature is the [[Activity_Logs|Activity Log]].  This can be acccessed by navigating to '''System Settings (<i class="fa fa-wrench" aria-hidden="true"></i>) > System Logs''' ('''Utilities > Logs > Activity Log''' in WHMCS 7.x and earlier) within the admin area.  All errors encountered by the Smarty templating engine are logged here, and should help pinpoint the exact template and section of code that is causing the problem.
+The first place to check any time you encounter an error of this nature is the [[Activity_Logs|Activity Log]].  This can be acccessed by navigating to '''Configuration (<i class="fa fa-wrench" aria-hidden="true"></i>) > System Logs''' ('''Utilities > Logs > Activity Log''' in WHMCS 7.x and earlier) within the admin area.  All errors encountered by the Smarty templating engine are logged here, and should help pinpoint the exact template and section of code that is causing the problem.
 ==Try a Different Template==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-You've upgraded your installation, but now your custom client area template is no longer working.
+You've upgraded your installation, but now your custom client area template is no longer working. The steps below may help you.
 ==Why does this happen?==
@@ Line 7: / Line 5: @@
 A blank or partially rendered page indicates a fatal PHP error is occurring which stops the execution from being able to continue.  This can be caused by a number of reasons, most commonly:
-* Using PHP code blocks in your template without the '''Allow Smarty PHP Tags''' setting enabled (go to Setup > General Settings > Security to enable it)
+* Using PHP code blocks in your template without the '''Allow Smarty PHP Tags''' setting enabled at '''Configuration (<i class="fa fa-wrench" aria-hidden="true"></i>) > System Settings > General Settings > Security'''.
 * A custom or third party module or hook that is incompatible with the new version
 * A syntax issue in your template
@@ Line 16: / Line 14: @@
 ==Check the Logs==
-The first place to check any time you encounter an error of this nature is the [[Activity_Logs|Activity Log]].  This can be acccessed by navigating to '''Utilities > Logs > Activity Log''' within the admin area.  All errors encountered by the Smarty templating engine are logged here, and should help pinpoint the exact template and section of code that is causing the problem.
+The first place to check any time you encounter an error of this nature is the [[Activity_Logs|Activity Log]].  This can be acccessed by navigating to '''System Settings (<i class="fa fa-wrench" aria-hidden="true"></i>) > System Logs''' ('''Utilities > Logs > Activity Log''' in WHMCS 7.x and earlier) within the admin area.  All errors encountered by the Smarty templating engine are logged here, and should help pinpoint the exact template and section of code that is causing the problem.
 ==Try a Different Template==
@@ Line 24: / Line 22: @@
 If changing to a different template allows the client area to load successfully, then you know the issue is with your template itself.  If you continue to experience problems loading the client area with other templates, then your issue is more likely related to a module or hook and not a specific individual template.
-To change the template your WHMCS system uses, navigate to '''Setup > General Settings''' and choose one of the default templates in the '''Template''' setting found on the first tab of the settings.  Then hit Save, and attempt to visit your client area.
+To change the template your WHMCS system uses, navigate to '''Configuration (<i class="fa fa-wrench" aria-hidden="true"></i>) > System Settings > General Settings''' and choose one of the default templates in the '''Template''' setting found on the first tab of the settings.  Then, hit '''Save''', and attempt to visit your client area.
 ==Check Your Templates for Legacy Smarty Functions==