Undefined array key Laravel Origin: Application & API Last updated 4 Nov 2026

Laravel/PHP 8: ErrorException: Undefined array key "name" (PHP 8) / Undefined index: name (PHP 7)

Code read an array element whose key isn't present.

Exact message you may see ErrorException: Undefined array key "name"Undefined array key 0Undefined index: nameUndefined offset: 1ErrorException Undefined array key
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Seen on: Laravel PHP

Meaning

PHP 8 turned "Undefined index/offset" notices into warnings that Laravel converts to exceptions. Use $arr['x'] ?? 'default', Arr::get($arr, 'x'), isset(), or $request->input('x') which returns null safely. Validate input before reading it.

Common causes

  • Missing request/input key
  • Config or JSON key absent
  • Optional form fields
  • Different data shape from an API
  • Array index beyond the list

⚡ Quick fix

  1. Use $data['x'] ?? null or Arr::get()
  2. Use $request->input() / $request->validated()
  3. Validate required keys first

Detailed fix by platform

Laravel

  1. $name = data_get($payload, 'user.name', 'Guest');

How to diagnose

  1. Key — Present in the array?
  2. Source — Request, config, API?
  3. Default — Null-coalescing?

🔧 Still not fixed?

Many errors look alike. If the steps above didn’t solve it, one of these is probably what you’re facing:

Where this error sits

Origin: Application & API. Errors that are often confused with or caused by this one (click to open):

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