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PHP Fatal Error: How to Fix Class 'ClassName' Not Found

M66 2025-10-26

Understanding the Class 'ClassName' Not Found Error in PHP

When developing PHP applications, you may encounter an error like Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Class 'ClassName' not found. This usually happens when trying to use a class that has not been included or properly defined. In this article, we will introduce common solutions to quickly identify and resolve the issue.

Ensure the Class File is Properly Included

Before using a class, make sure the class file has been loaded correctly into the current PHP file. You can include it using require or require_once:

require_once 'path/to/ClassName.php';

Including the class file with the correct path helps prevent 'class not found' errors.

Check the Class Name

Class names in PHP are case-sensitive. Make sure the class name in your code exactly matches the name defined in the class file:

// Incorrect example
$object = new classname(); // Class name should be 'ClassName'

// Correct example
$object = new ClassName();

Check the Namespace

If your project uses namespaces, ensure that the class is declared and used with the correct namespace:

// Incorrect example
use appClassName; // The namespace should be correct

// Correct example
use namespacepathClassName;

Verify the Class File Path

Make sure the path to the class file is correct, avoiding wrong relative or absolute paths:

// Incorrect example
require_once 'wrong/path/to/ClassName.php';

// Correct example
require_once 'correct/path/to/ClassName.php';

Ensure File Name Matches the Class Name

PHP requires the class file name to exactly match the class name, including capitalization:

// Class defined in ClassName.php
// Incorrect example
require_once 'path/to/Classname.php'; // Wrong capitalization

// Correct example
require_once 'path/to/ClassName.php'; // File name matches class name

Summary

By following these steps, you can effectively resolve the 'Class not found' fatal error in PHP. The key is to verify that the class file is included, the class name is correct, the namespace is properly used, and the file path is accurate. Ensuring these elements are correct will greatly improve the stability and reliability of your PHP applications.