Top Laravel Errors and Their Fixes: A Developer’s Guide

Stay productive with this quick reference for resolving common Laravel issues.

1. Class ‘App\Http\Controllers\X’ Not Found

This typically happens due to a missing use statement or incorrect namespace.

Fix:

  • Ensure the class exists in the correct directory.
  • Add the correct use statement at the top of the controller.
  • Run composer dump-autoload if necessary.

2. Target Class [Controller] Does Not Exist

This error occurs when Laravel cannot locate a controller specified in your routes.

Fix:

  • Double-check the namespace in Route::get() or other route methods.
  • Ensure the controller file is not missing or misnamed.

3. SQLSTATE[HY000] [1045] Access Denied for User

This database connection error stems from invalid credentials in .env.

Fix:

  • Confirm your DB_USERNAME and DB_PASSWORD values in .env.
  • Make sure MySQL is running and accessible.

4. Migrations Not Running

Migrations may fail due to syntax issues, missing tables, or incorrect DB connection.

Fix:

  • Check syntax in migration files.
  • Ensure database credentials are correct in .env.
  • Run php artisan migrate:fresh to reset.

5. 419 Page Expired

Usually triggered by missing CSRF tokens in forms.

Fix:

  • Include @csrf in every form.
  • Ensure VerifyCsrfToken middleware is active.

Conclusion: Debugging Laravel doesn’t have to be daunting. Use this guide to troubleshoot and stay on top of your development game.