Loader / Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting & FAQ
The issues people hit most, and how to fix them. If you're stuck, contact support.
Common issues
php -m doesn't list oxrion
The loader isn't loaded. This is almost always the wrong php.ini. Web servers (php-fpm, Apache mod_php) often use a different php.ini than the CLI. Find the one your server uses, add the extension line there, and restart.
php --ini # shows which php.ini is loaded"Unable to load dynamic library" on startup
The build doesn't match your PHP. Check that the file matches your exact PHP version, OS, architecture (x64), and — on Windows — thread-safety (NTS vs TS). A PHP 8.2 build won't load on 8.3, and a TS build won't load on an NTS PHP.
php -v # confirm your exact version and (Windows) thread safetyProtected files show as blank or raw code
The loader isn't active for the request. Confirm it's loaded (php -m | grep oxrion) in the same SAPI serving your site, then restart the web server. Editing the CLI php.ini won't affect php-fpm.
"signature mismatch" or "file tampered"
The protected file was altered after it was created, or it wasn't produced for this loader. Re-copy the file without any transformation (no line-ending conversion, no editor re-save), and make sure it came from your Oxrion account's encoder.
A licensed file won't run
The license file is missing, misnamed, or bound to a different domain. Place the .lic file next to the protected file, confirm the domain in the license matches the host exactly, and check that it hasn't expired.
Frequently asked
Is the loader free?
Yes. The loader is free and always will be, with no account or signup. Only protecting code requires a plan.
Does it slow down my site?
No. The loader cooperates with OPcache, so protected code is cached like any other and runs at full speed.
Do my end users need it?
Only the server that runs your protected code needs the loader — installed once. Your end users install nothing.
Where do license files go?
A .lic file lives next to the protected file it unlocks. The loader looks it up automatically based on the file and host.
Can I install it on shared hosting?
Only if your host allows custom PHP extensions — most shared hosts don't. VPS and dedicated servers, where you control php.ini, are fully supported.