Resolving the "Failed to Open Stream" Error in WordPress with Google Site Kit

[Cynical54]

Recently, I encountered a frustrating error on my WordPress website related to the Google Site Kit plugin. The error message read:

"Warning: require_once(/home/custome/public_html/wp-content/plugins/google-site-kit/includes/Modules/Analytics/Web_Tag.php): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/customer/public_html/wp-content/plugins/google-site-kit/includes/loader.php on line 43 for a website made for Dentists in regina

This error typically indicates a problem with a missing or inaccessible file within the plugin's directory. If you ever face this issue, here are the steps I took to troubleshoot and resolve it:

1. Deactivate Google Site Kit
   As a quick fix, I first deactivated the Google Site Kit plugin. This stopped the error message and allowed my site to function normally, albeit without the features provided by the plugin.

2. Reinstall the Plugin
   Often, such issues arise due to an incomplete or corrupted installation. I reinstalled Google Site Kit by deleting the existing installation from the WordPress dashboard and installing a fresh copy. This can often replace missing files and resolve any corruption issues.

3. Check File Permissions
   Incorrect file permissions can prevent WordPress from accessing necessary files. I checked the permissions of the plugin directory and files, ensuring folders were set to 755 and files to 644.

4. Conflict Check
   Sometimes, plugins or themes can conflict with each other. To identify if this was the case, I temporarily deactivated all other plugins and switched to a default WordPress theme. After confirming that Google Site Kit was functioning correctly, I reactivated the other plugins and theme one by one.

5. Manual File Verification
   Using FTP (File Transfer Protocol), I checked the plugin directory to confirm whether the Web_Tag.php file existed. If it's missing, manually uploading this file via FTP is a potential solution.

6. Contact Hosting Provider
   If none of the above steps work, it's advisable to contact your hosting provider. Sometimes, server configurations or specific PHP settings can cause such issues.

7. Backup and Professional Help
   Before making any changes, ensure you have a complete backup of your website. If you're not confident in performing these steps, it's best to seek assistance from a web development professional.

[adamdunnage]

@Cynical54 Thanks for sharing the error message and the list of steps to help troubleshoot the issue. We don't provide support here for Site Kit but it sounds like you have already resolved this issue yourself. If you do however require assistance with Site Kit in the future then please could you open a support topic with us and we will be happy to assist you with any troubleshooting.