Installing the free version of LogWatch gives you a simple, user-friendly way to monitor and analyze PHP error logs directly from your WordPress admin panel.

1. Install

• Log into your WordPress admin panel
• Go to Plugins >> Add New
• Search for LogWatch
• Click Install Now next to LogWatch
• Click Activate

Alternatively, upload the logwatch folder to /wp-content/plugins/ via FTP and activate through the Plugins menu.

2. Configure Settings

• Go to LogWatch >> Settings
• Select your preferred Log Source from the dropdown (the plugin auto-detects available log files)
• If no system logs are detected, enable the Custom Error Handler to create a dedicated log file in wp-content/uploads/logwatch/
• Choose which Error Types to display:
  • Fatal Errors
  • Warnings
  • Notices
  • Deprecated
• Set your preferred Entries Per Page (10, 25, 50, 100, or 200)
• Click Save Settings

3. View and Manage Logs

• Navigate to LogWatch >> Logs to view current errors
• Errors are automatically grouped by type with occurrence counts
• Click View Details to see the full error message and stack trace
• Click Mark as Fixed to hide resolved errors
• Click Export CSV to download logs for external analysis
• View hidden errors under LogWatch >> Hidden Logs and click Unhide to restore them

LogWatch also adds a dashboard widget showing the 3 most recent errors at a glance.

4. Enable Debug Mode (Recommended)

For best results, add these lines to your wp-config.php:

define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);

This ensures all PHP errors are logged to wp-content/debug.log which LogWatch can then monitor.