How to Fix “Class Zend Not Found” Issue in Magento 2

Hey there! Guess what? On March 14, 2023, Adobe launched Magento 2.4.6, and it was super exciting! This update came with over 300 quality fixes and awesome platform improvements. We were all looking forward to these positive changes, but there was one thing we didn’t expect: a big change that might cause some issues for those who upgraded. You see, Adobe decided to say goodbye to the Zend framework, and because of that, some users started facing a problem called “Class Zend Not Found” after upgrading to Magento 2.4.6. But worry not! In this blog post, I’ll walk you through the simple steps to fix this problem and make sure your Magento 2 store runs smoothly. Let’s get started!

Reasons for the “Class Zend Not Found” Error

The primary reason behind the “Class Zend Not Found” error in Magento 2.4.6 is Adobe’s choice to phase out the Zend framework from Magento’s codebase. Instead, they opted to replace it with Laminas, which is a fork of the Zend framework.

The switch from Zend to Laminas was made to take advantage of the progress and enhancements provided by the Laminas project. Laminas offers a more resilient and contemporary framework for PHP development, prompting the decision to transition.

Nevertheless, this shift implies that custom code, third-party modules, or extensions dependent on Zend classes might not work with Magento 2.4.6 anymore. The absence of the Zend framework could trigger the “Class Zend Not Found” error when the system tries to create or use Zend classes that have been substituted with their Laminas counterparts.

To fix this error, it’s essential to modify the affected codebase, including custom code and third-party modules, by replacing deprecated Zend classes with their corresponding Laminas counterparts. Alternatively, although not recommended, you can temporarily resolve the issue by re-adding the Zend framework to Magento.

Common Messages When Facing the “Class Zend Not Found” Error

• Error: Class “Zend_Json” not found.
• Error: Class “Zend_Http_Client” not found.
• Error: Class “Zend_Validate” not found.
• Error: Class “Zend_Filter” not found.

These typical error messages assist in pinpointing the specific Zend classes responsible for the “Class Zend Not Found” error. It is vital to update the codebase to utilize the relevant Laminas classes or, if possible, consider reintegrating the Zend framework.

Also Read: https://www.evrig.com/blog/simple-steps-enable-and-disable-magento-2-page-builder/

Ways to Resolve the “Class Zend Not Found” Error

Method 1: Update Codebase and Modules with Laminas:

Step 1: Install Laminas

To resolve the “Class Zend Not Found” error, you must install the Laminas package, specifically the laminas/laminas-serializer, within your Magento 2 installation. This package will replace the deprecated Zend classes. Follow these steps to install Laminas:

• Open your command prompt or terminal window.
• Go to the main directory of your Magento 2 installation.
• Execute the following command:

composer require laminas/laminas-serializer

You can omit this step if your Magento installation already includes the Laminas package.

Step 2: Substitute Zend Classes with Laminas

Once you have installed the Laminas package, it is crucial to replace the outdated Zend classes with their equivalent Laminas classes. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Identify the .phtml file(s) triggering the “Class Zend Not Found” error.
2. Search for occurrences of Zend classes mentioned in the error message.
3. Replace each Zend class with the corresponding Laminas class according to the following mappings:

Method 2: Install Zend Framework into Magento

If your custom extensions extensively depend on Zend, and updating them to use Laminas is not a viable option, you can contemplate reintegrating the Zend Framework into Magento 2.4.6.

Utilize Composer to install the Zend Framework by executing the following command:

composer require magento/zendframework1

Note: Reintroducing the Zend Framework should be undertaken cautiously, as it could bring about additional maintenance and compatibility issues.

Wrap up:

In order to fix the “Class Zend Not Found” issue in Magento 2, it is crucial to transition from deprecated Zend classes to their corresponding Laminas counterparts. This can be achieved by installing the Laminas package and replacing the outdated Zend classes in your codebase. However, if your custom extensions heavily rely on Zend and transitioning to Laminas is not feasible, you can consider reintroducing the Zend Framework into Magento 2.4.6, although this approach requires careful consideration due to potential maintenance challenges.

For reliable solutions tailored to your Magento needs, consider Evrig Solutions. Our experienced team of Magento 2 developers can help you navigate and resolve complex issues like the “Class Zend Not Found” error. Hire Magento 2 developers from Evrig Solutions to ensure seamless development and robust solutions for your Magento projects.