Fixing WordPress RSS Issue “XML Parsing Error: XML or text declaration not at start of entity”
Today we noticed that Tech Dreams RSS feed was not working and showing an error when tried to access it.
The error message is something to do with invalid XML format of the feed. The exact error displayed on the screen is
XML Parsing Error: XML or text declaration not at start of entity / Error on line 2: The processing instruction target matching" [xX] [mM] [IL] "is not allowed
Location: http://feedproxy.google.com/td
Line Number 2, Column 1:<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
Cause
After a bit of research on the net, I understood that reasons for the error are the blank spaces keyed into the php pages. The trailing and leading blank spaces in few php files of WordPress setup resulted due to editing of theme files is the main reason for this issue.
Fixing The Issue
Looks like many people often face this issue and few good guys at http://www.flyaga.info created a WordPress plugin to fix this issue with a single click. Otherwise we may have to edit many php files to remove the blank spaces.
To fix the issue
- Install and activate the fix-rss-feed plug-in
- Go to Admin –> Setting -> Fix RSS Feed
- Click on the "Fix WordPress RSS Feed" button
- After the fix job is completed, your WordPress feed should be up and running
Happy Blogging!!
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August 9th, 2009
Thank you for this
The RSS now works in my blog! Easiest way to fix it anyhow!
August 27th, 2009
it worked when i had just installed it, buy now it is not working
November 9th, 2009
I tried that. The problem still remains.
November 19th, 2009
Really amazing plug-in thank’s very useful! Thank’s a lot!
December 13th, 2009
hey, i did dat but my problem still persists. Do u know off any other alternative way of fixing this?
December 29th, 2009
Thank you! Great solution for me. I fixed my problem with your useful topic;)
January 3rd, 2010
still not working for me
January 12th, 2010
Thanks! That plugin is a super time saver!
February 4th, 2010
Not solve my rss feed problem, still not working for me
February 11th, 2010
thx for your share ..
my problem fix now thx
March 2nd, 2010
It does not work for me too. And the way this plugin work, its way too risky.
March 24th, 2010
this did not fix my problem. are there any other options?
April 6th, 2010
My problem still persists as well. Any other ideas?
April 7th, 2010
Workzz fine….
April 7th, 2010
hey mark, i was able to fix my problem manually. go through the steps on this site:
http://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/error/WPBlankLine.html
use the validator on that site on your feed, and get rid of any blank lines and it should work.
hope this helps you.
May 28th, 2010
Thanks guys you save my life!
I searched everywhere, but in my original language!
July 18th, 2010
I can recommend Drew’s answer – use the validator and remove the space manually.
The plugin did not work for me and looks quite intrusive.
Cheers Drew!
Rob
July 25th, 2010
Thanks so much. I had my blog running and over night something happened. This fixed everything!
July 28th, 2010
Used the plugin but still getting this damn error:
XML Parsing Error: XML or text declaration not at start of entity
Location: http://theinternetbuisnessman.com/feed/
Line Number 2, Column 1:
^
July 29th, 2010
UPDATE: Yes the plugin did the trick! Firefox didn’t update as usual so it was showing me the old error.
I’l have to make a donation to the developers of the plugin, cause it did save me a ship load of time & stress’.
August 14th, 2010
Superb work! Thanks!