Strict Standards errors in Joomla (such as "Strict Standards: Non-static method should not be called statically" or "Declaration should be compatible") are PHP compatibility warnings caused by older Joomla code running on modern PHP versions.
Update Joomla or suppress Strict Standards
- Update Joomla to the latest version - fixes the root cause
- Temporary workaround: Add to
.user.iniin your site directory:error_reporting = E_ALL & ~E_NOTICE & ~E_STRICT & ~E_DEPRECATED
These are cosmetic warnings, not errors. Your site still functions, but the warnings clutter error logs and may display on screen. The same fix applies to JLoader, JParameter, JRegistry, and other J-prefixed class warnings.
The same root cause and fix also cover the older Warning: Parameter 2 to frontpage() expected to be a reference message from Joomla 1.5 and 2.5. It comes from deprecated PHP function signatures in legacy Joomla code. Update Joomla (or migrate to a current version), or suppress the warning in .user.ini as shown above. If you are still on Joomla 1.5 or 2.5, upgrade now: both have been end of life for over a decade and receive no security patches.
See also Magic Quotes Joomla. For PHP version changes, see Change PHP Version.
Joomla 3 reached end of life in August 2023. If you are still on Joomla 3, migrate to Joomla 4 or 5. Unsupported versions receive no security patches.
Need Help Updating?
Open a Support TicketQuick Recap
- Update Joomla for the proper fix
- Suppress via .user.ini as a temporary measure
- Warnings are cosmetic - Site still works
- Joomla 3 is end of life
- Back up before updating
PHP compatibility · Last updated March 2026 · Browse all PHP Scripts articles
