Unclosed XML Processing Instruction – Fix Missing ?> Terminators

Local only

A processing instruction that begins with <?target must end with ?> before normal XML markup continues.

27 chars · 1 line

Waiting for input

Loading XML parser…

XML processing-instruction syntax

How to fix an unclosed XML processing instruction

The sample opens <?build inside the root but never emits ?> before </root>. The parser continues treating later characters as processing-instruction content until it finds the required terminator. This tool is free to use. No account or payment is required.

Last updated

What you can do here

  • XML well-formedness validation
  • Broken XML example preloaded
  • Corrected XML comparison
  • .xml file import
  • Browser parser feedback
  • Browser-local processing

Steps

  1. Locate the <? sequence nearest the parser failure.
  2. Identify the intended end of the processing instruction data.
  3. Add ?> before the next XML element boundary and validate the full document again.

Processing instructions have their own markup boundary

A processing instruction is not an element, so </...> cannot close it. The exact ?> terminator is required before the parser can return to ordinary XML element syntax.

Unclosed XML processing instruction example

Close the processing instruction before the root closing tag.

Invalid XML

<root><?build target</root>

Corrected XML

<root><?build target?></root>

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

How does an XML processing instruction end?

It ends with ?>.

Is the XML declaration a processing instruction?

It uses similar syntax but is governed by special XML declaration placement rules.

Can processing instructions appear inside the root element?

Yes, when they are well formed and the consuming format permits them.

Recommended next steps

Unclosed XML CommentClose XML comments with --> before the document continues.Unclosed XML CDATA SectionClose <![CDATA[ sections with ]]> before normal XML markup resumes.XML Validator Online – Check XML SyntaxPaste any XML document and check well-formedness locally in your browser.

Debugging a specific XML issue? Browse XML troubleshooting.