How to fix function wpdb::prepare was called incorrectly

The notice you are encountering is related to the usage of the wpdb::prepare() function in WordPress. The error message suggests that the query argument provided to wpdb::prepare() is missing a placeholder. To fix the error and remove the notice, you need to ensure that you are using placeholders correctly in your code.

Here’s what you can do to resolve the issue:

1. Enable WordPress debugging: Before proceeding with the fix, it’s recommended to enable WordPress debugging. This will provide more detailed information about the error, including the file and line number where the incorrect usage of wpdb::prepare() occurs. To enable debugging, open your site’s wp-config.php file and look for the line that contains define('WP_DEBUG', false);. Change false to true, save the file, and refresh the page. With debugging enabled, you will see a more specific error message indicating the location of the issue.
2. Locate the problematic code: Once debugging is enabled, the error message will display the file and line number where the incorrect usage of wpdb::prepare() is occurring. Look for that file and locate the line mentioned in the error message. This will help you identify the exact code causing the issue.
3. Verify placeholder usage: Check the wpdb::prepare() function call and ensure that the query string contains placeholders represented by %s, %d, %f, or %%. These placeholders allow WordPress to properly escape and format the values passed to the query. Make sure you have the correct number of placeholders and that they are in the right positions.
4. Sanitize and format query values: Ensure that the values being passed to wpdb::prepare() match the corresponding placeholders in the query string. If you’re using user-generated input or variables in the query, make sure to properly sanitize and validate them before using them in the query.
5. Test and debug: After making the necessary adjustments, save the file and refresh the page to see if the notice is resolved. If the error message disappears and the notice is no longer displayed, it means the issue has been fixed. If not, double-check your code for any other occurrences of wpdb::prepare() that may require correction.

Remember to disable WordPress debugging once you have resolved the issue by changing define('WP_DEBUG', true); back to define('WP_DEBUG', false); in your wp-config.php file.

By following these steps, you should be able to fix the wpdb::prepare() error and remove the notice from your website.