# Turn on debugging and read the logs

https://vmshost.io/kb/a/phpvms-debugging-and-logs

When phpVMS shows an error or a blank page, the logs usually tell you why.

## Find your phpVMS folder

Go to **Services**, open your hosting plan, and on the **Management** tab click **File Manager**. Double-click a folder to open it.

Open the folder that holds phpVMS. This is the folder with `app`, `config`, `storage` and the `.env` file in it. If you used the automated installer, its name ends in `.phpvms`:

## Read the phpVMS logs

In your phpVMS folder, open `storage`, then `logs`. phpVMS writes a new log file every day, named with the date, for example `laravel-2026-10-23.log`. The `cron-` files are from the cron job.

Double-click the newest `laravel-` file to open it, and scroll to the end. The newest errors are at the bottom.

## PHP and web server errors

Some errors happen before phpVMS can log them. Open cPanel with **Open Control Panel** and go to **Errors** to see the latest errors from the web server.

## Turn on debug mode

1. In your phpVMS folder, double-click the `.env` file. It opens in the editor.
2. Change `APP_DEBUG=false` to `APP_DEBUG=true`.
3. To also show the Laravel debug toolbar, change `DEBUG_TOOLBAR=false` to `DEBUG_TOOLBAR=true`.
4. Click **Save Changes** and load the page again. phpVMS now shows the full error.

**Turn debug mode off when you're done.** Debug mode shows details about your site to everyone who visits it.

## Asking for help

When you open a ticket or ask on the phpVMS forums or Discord, include:

- Your phpVMS version. It's at the bottom left of the phpVMS admin panel.
- Your PHP version
- The page where the error happens, and the steps to make it happen
- The error lines from the log

Before you share a log, check that it doesn't contain passwords or other private data.