Troubleshooting and FAQ
Most problems have a simple cause. Start by setting $DEBUG_MODE=true in config.php so that PHP and SQL errors are shown, then find your symptom below. Switch it off again afterwards.
| Symptom | Likely cause and solution |
|---|---|
| Blank white page | A PHP error is hidden. Enable $DEBUG_MODE. Check that your PHP version is 7.4 or newer and the extensions pdo_mysql, curl, gd, mbstring are on. |
| "Database connection failed" | Wrong host, user, password or database name in config.php, or the MySQL user has no rights on the database. |
| The installer says it cannot write config.php | Make the file or its folder writable, run the installer again, then restore the permissions. |
| Photos do not upload | Folders uploaded_images and thumbnails are not writable, the file is larger than 8 MB or than upload_max_filesize in php.ini, or the GD extension is missing. |
| "Security token expired" | The page was open for a long time or cookies are blocked. Reload the page and try again. |
| Logged out too soon | Your server removes sessions quickly. Raise session.gc_maxlifetime in php.ini. |
| E-mails do not arrive | Set a sender on your own domain and use SMTP (E-mail and SMTP). Check the spam folder. |
| Pages show "not found" with SEO URLs | Apache does not read .htaccess. Enable mod_rewrite and AllowOverride All, or switch off SEO friendly URLs (General settings). |
| Language switcher is missing | It needs at least two active languages and the option to show it (Languages). |
| AI says the key is not configured | Open AI settings, paste the key, save and use the test button. Check the credit balance of your provider. |
| Stripe: "could not start the payment" | The secret key is wrong or belongs to another mode. Check the key and the currency code (Payment settings). |
| Payment done but the listing is not live | The listing may be waiting for approval (Managing cars). For bank transfers, mark the payment as paid (Packages and transactions). |
| A car does not appear on the website | Its status is not Active, it has expired, or it is outside your search filters. Check Managing cars. |
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the script on shared hosting?
Yes. It needs only PHP, MySQL and the common extensions. No command line, Composer or Node.js is required.
Do I need an AI key?
No. Without a key the AI buttons show a message and the home page search uses a simple keyword parser. See AI settings.
Can customers pay for the rental online?
In this version online payments are used for paid listings (owners paying you). Customers send booking requests that the owner confirms; rental payment is arranged at pick-up.
Can I use my own template?
Yes, see Customizing the template.
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