Troubleshooting and common questions
Most problems have a simple cause: a wrong value in config.php, a missing .htaccess file, folder permissions or e-mail settings of the hosting. Here are the quick fixes.
Blank page or "error 500"
Set $DEBUG_MODE=true in config.php, reload the page and read the error message. Typical causes: a PHP version older than 7.4, a missing PHP extension (pdo_mysql, mbstring, curl, gd) or a typo in config.php. Set it back to false afterwards.
Database connection error
Check $DBHost, $DBUser, $DBPass and $DBName in config.php, that the user has all privileges on the database, and that install.sql was imported (the tables start with phpbid_).
Pages show "not found" after turning on friendly URLs
The .htaccess file is missing or mod_rewrite is off. Upload the file (it is hidden - make your FTP program show hidden files) or turn the friendly URLs off again in Configuration Options › Languages & URLs. On Nginx ask your hosting to add equivalent rewrite rules.
E-mails do not arrive
- Check the spam folder.
- Use a sender address of your own domain in E-mail & privacy.
- Ask your hosting whether PHP
mail()is allowed, and to set up SPF/DKIM.
Photos can not be uploaded
Make uploaded_images and thumbnails writable (755 or 775). Very large photos may exceed the upload_max_filesize and post_max_size limits of PHP - ask your hosting to raise them to 10M or more.
Auctions end at the wrong time
Set the right System Timezone in General settings. If winners are notified late on a quiet site, add the cron job.
Stripe payments stay "unpaid"
Check the webhook in the Stripe Dashboard: the URL must be https://www.yourdomain.com/include/stripe_webhook.php, the event checkout.session.completed, and the signing secret must be the one in Settings › Payments. Test keys and live keys must not be mixed.
The AI buttons do nothing
Use Test connection in AI settings. Typical causes: a wrong or expired key, no credit at the provider, a wrong model name, or (only on a local test server) the SSL check.
A member can not list items
Check that Members can list items is on, that the member's Can sell switch is on, and whether the member has overdue fees (Invoices and fees).
I forgot the admin password
Ask another Super Administrator to set a new one in Admin Users. If you are the only one, your developer can reset it in the phpbid_admin_users table with phpMyAdmin.