Written by Admin on 2025-05-06

Solving "WordPress call to a member function date on null" error

If you've ever encountered the "WordPress call to a member function date on null" error, you know how frustrating it can be. This issue is caused by a variety of reasons and can be difficult to pinpoint without digging deeper. However, in this article, we will explore the common causes of this error and suggest possible solutions to resolve the issue.

Understanding the Error

Before we jump into the solutions, let's understand what this error message means. In simple terms, the error "call to a member function date() on null" in WordPress occurs when WordPress can't find the object to which a function is being called.

This error can occur in a variety of WordPress files, including themes, plugins, and core files. Additionally, the error can manifest in different ways, depending on the PHP version you're running. Some users have reported seeing different variations of this error message:

• Call to a member function format() on null
• Call to undefined method WP_Error::date()
• Call to a member function getTimestamp() on null

Possible Causes of the Error

Understanding the underlying causes is essential to resolve this error in WordPress. Here are the most common reasons a user may encounter the "WordPress call to a member function date on null" error:

1. Outdated WordPress Version

Running an old version of WordPress can result in this error. Ensure you’re running the latest WordPress version to avoid errors related to outdated software.

2. Corrupted WordPress Core Files

Corrupted WordPress core files can clog up the WordPress site and trigger the call to a member function date () on null error. Consider disabling all the plugins and viewing the site to see if the problem still persists.

3. Conflicting Active Theme or Plugins

Incompatibility issues with the active theme or plugins can lead to this issue. If the error occurs after recently changing the theme or activating/ deactivating plugins, you may have found the culprit.

4. Database Connection Issues

This error may also occur if there is no proper database setup to connect the website data with the WordPress site. Double-check the wp-config.php file to ensure the database connection is set up correctly.

Possible Solutions to Fix the Issue

Now that you’ve understood the common causes, here are a few solutions to resolve the "WordPress call to a member function date on null" error:

1. Update WordPress Version

Update your WordPress site, ensuring it is running the latest version. WordPress releases new versions regularly to fix bugs that create issues in the previous versions.

2. Disable/Re-enable plugins

Disable all plugins, and then enable them one-by-one to check if a specific plugin is causing the error. If you're already aware of the problematic plugin, then simply disable the plugin and delete it.

3. Replace WordPress Core Files

Replacing corrupted files with a clean version of WordPress core files is often a great solution. Download the latest version of WordPress, unzip the files, and replace the site's existing corrupted files.

4. Check and Reinstall the Active theme

Identify the theme causing the issue and reinstall it from the WordPress Themes Repository. This will, in particular, help if the problem is caused by an outdated or corrupt theme.

5. Check Database Setup

Check to ensure that the database connection settings set up correctly in the wp-config.php file. Ensure that the database credentials are correct, appropriate and consistent.

Conclusion

This article has explored how to solve the "WordPress call to a member function date on null" error. Ensure to keep your WordPress version, active themes, and plugins up-to-date, replace corrupted WordPress core files, and check database settings to avoid this issue.

If none of the solutions works, consider reaching out to the experts or WordPress development company to fix the issue for you.