Why am I getting an error when I try to install Drupal?

I’m trying to expand my web dev skillset, so I installed Drupal 11.0.1 via cPanel/Softaculus to play with. However, the page refuses to load (HTTP ERROR 500) and this is the error shown in the error_log file:

[21-Aug-2024 15:22:59 America/Chicago] PHP Parse error:  syntax error, unexpected ')' in /home4/dluggon/public_html/commissions.neekko.art/core/lib/Drupal/Core/DrupalKernel.php on line 1636

screenshot of error_log

And this is the line causing the error in /core/lib/Drupal/Core/DrupalKernel.php:

Request::setFactory([$request_factory, 'createRequest'](...));

screenshot of line 1636

As far as I can see, line 1636 isn’t broken…?

I tried manually uninstalling Drupal by deleting all the files and the database, then tried reinstalling it manually using the ZIP downloaded from the official Drupal site. No improvement.

I tried commenting out the line, which didn’t work. I also Ctrl+F’d the number of (), [ ], and {} to see if any were missing, but none are…

I am new to Drupal, though, so any insight into my issue is welcome!

I’d be glad to assist you with the HTTP ERROR 500 you’re encountering in your Drupal 11.0.1 installation. While the specific error message “syntax error, unexpected ‘)’ in /core/lib/Drupal/Core/DrupalKernel.php on line 1636” doesn’t seem inherently wrong, there could be underlying issues causing this behavior. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can follow:

1. Check Error Logs and System Requirements:

  • Error Logs: Look for more detailed information in your server’s error logs. These logs may provide additional clues about the cause of the error. Common locations for error logs include Apache error logs (/var/log/apache2/error.log on Linux) or your web hosting provider’s control panel.
  • System Requirements: Double-check that your server meets the minimum system requirements for Drupal 11. PHP version, database compatibility (usually MySQL or MariaDB), and memory limits are crucial points. You can find the latest requirements on the Drupal website: [invalid URL removed]

2. Verify Installation Process:

  • Manual Installation: If you installed Drupal manually using a ZIP file, ensure you’ve uploaded all files and folders correctly to your web server’s document root. Missing files or incorrect permissions can lead to errors.
  • Softaculous Installation: Softaculous is a popular automatic installer. However, it’s possible that something went wrong during the installation process. If you can reinstall Drupal through Softaculous, try doing so.

3. Permissions and Ownership:

  • File Permissions: Ensure that your web server user has the necessary permissions (read, write, execute) to access and modify Drupal core files and directories. Common recommended permissions are 644 for files and 755 for directories. You can usually adjust permissions through your FTP client or your web hosting provider’s control panel.
  • File Ownership: Verify that the owner of the Drupal files and directories is the web server user. This helps ensure proper control and access.

4. PHP Configuration (Less Likely, but Worth Checking):

  • Error Reporting: If your PHP error reporting is set to a low level, you might not see all errors. You can try temporarily increasing the error reporting level in your php.ini file to E_ALL & ~E_STRICT to see if there are any additional error messages. Important: Remember to revert this change after troubleshooting.
  • Extensions: Make sure you have the necessary PHP extensions installed that Drupal requires. These might include gd , openssl , and mbstring . Check your server’s documentation or contact your web hosting provider for guidance on installing PHP extensions.

5. Consider Conflicting Modules (if applicable):

  • If you’ve installed any custom modules, try disabling them temporarily to see if the error persists. This can help isolate if a specific module is causing the issue.

Additional Tips:

  • Drupal Support: Drupal has a vibrant community forum where you can find help and troubleshooting tips: https://www.drupal.org/forum
  • Drupal Documentation: The official Drupal documentation is a valuable resource for learning how to install, configure, and use Drupal: [invalid URL removed]

By systematically working through these steps and checking for the factors mentioned above, you should be able to identify the root cause of the HTTP ERROR 500 and get your Drupal 11.0.1 installation up and running. If you’re still encountering issues after following these steps, provide more details about your server environment (PHP version, web server type, any custom configurations) and the specific error messages you’re seeing in the error logs, so the community or a Drupal expert can assist you further.