# Show PHP Errors to Administrators With ?debug=1

> Lets administrators see PHP warnings and notices on screen by adding ?wpide_debug=1 to any address, while visitors and other users never see them, even with WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY off.

- Type: PHP
- Runs: Run everywhere
- Category: [Developer](https://wpide.com/library/category/developer/)
- Tags: debugging, php, errors
- Author: WPIDE Team
- Installs: 0
- Updated: 2026-10-28
- Page: https://wpide.com/library/debug-php-errors-for-admins/

## Code

```php
add_action( 'init', function () {
    if ( ! isset( $_GET['wpide_debug'] ) || ! current_user_can( 'manage_options' ) ) {
        return;
    }

    // phpcs:disable WordPress.PHP.IniSet, WordPress.PHP.DevelopmentFunctions
    ini_set( 'display_errors', '1' );
    error_reporting( E_ALL );
    // phpcs:enable
}, 1 );
```

## Notes

Errors raised before WordPress knows who is logged in (very early in loading) are not shown; check debug.log for those.

## How to use it

Install the free WPIDE plugin (https://wordpress.org/plugins/wpide/), find "Show PHP Errors to Administrators With ?debug=1" in its snippet library and add it in one click; or create a new PHP snippet in WPIDE (or any code snippets plugin) and paste the code above. More snippets: https://wpide.com/library/