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The "Notice: Only variable references should be returned by reference" error in Tiki Wiki is a PHP compatibility issue. Older versions of Tiki Wiki use syntax that triggers this notice in PHP 5.6+ and later. Here is how to fix it.
Update Tiki Wiki or suppress the notices
The proper fix is to update Tiki Wiki to the latest version, which resolves these PHP compatibility issues. If you cannot update immediately, you can suppress notices by changing the PHP error reporting level.
01. Fix: Update Tiki Wiki
This error occurs because older Tiki Wiki code returns function results by reference using syntax that modern PHP no longer allows. Current versions of Tiki Wiki have fixed this. Visit tiki.org to download the latest version.
Before updating, back up your database and files. See How to Back Up Your Website.
02. Temporary Fix: Suppress Notices
If you cannot update right away, you can hide PHP notices (which are informational, not errors) by adding this to a .user.ini file in your site's directory:
error_reporting = E_ALL & ~E_NOTICE & ~E_DEPRECATED & ~E_STRICTOr in your .htaccess (if PHP runs as an Apache module):
php_value error_reporting 22527You can also set this in cPanel > Software > MultiPHP INI Editor by changing the error_reporting value for your domain.
Suppressing notices hides the symptoms but does not fix the underlying code. Older PHP applications that generate these notices may also have security vulnerabilities. Updating is always the better long-term solution.
This same notice can appear in other applications like Moodle, Joomla, and custom PHP scripts. The cause and fix are the same: update the application or suppress notices.
Need Help Updating?
If you need help updating Tiki Wiki or resolving PHP compatibility issues, open a ticket.
Open a Support TicketQuick Recap
- This is a PHP compatibility notice, not a fatal error
- Update Tiki Wiki to the latest version for a proper fix
- Suppress notices temporarily via .user.ini or MultiPHP INI Editor
- Back up before updating
- Old applications may have security vulnerabilities - updating is important
PHP script compatibility · Last updated March 2026 · Browse all PHP Scripts articles
