Seeing a message that says “There has been a critical error on your website” can be scary, especially if your site suddenly stops loading. This problem looks serious, but the good news is it is fixable.
The critical error in WordPress usually happens because of a plugin conflict, a broken theme, or a server configuration issue. In most cases, you can fix it in a few easy steps without losing your content.
In this guide, we will explain how to fix the critical error in WordPress quickly and safely, even if you have little technical experience.
What Causes the Critical Error in WordPress
Before you start fixing the issue, it helps to understand what causes it. The critical error means WordPress cannot load the site because something is stopping it from running properly.
Here are the most common causes:
- A faulty plugin update or conflict
- A theme with broken or outdated code
- Insufficient PHP memory on your server
- Corrupted WordPress core files
- Incompatible PHP version or server error
Knowing the cause makes it easier to choose the right solution.
Step 1: Enable WordPress Debug Mode
Debug mode helps you see what is actually causing the critical error.
To enable it:
- Connect to your website using FTP or your hosting control panel’s File Manager.
- Open the file wp-config.php in your site’s main folder.
- Find this line:
define('WP_DEBUG', false);
- Change it to:
define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
- Save the file and refresh your website.
WordPress will now record the specific error in a file called debug.log located in the wp-content folder. This file will show you which plugin, theme, or file is responsible.
Step 2: Deactivate All Plugins
Plugins are the most common cause of the WordPress critical error. To check if that is the problem, deactivate them all.
If you can access your dashboard:
- Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins.
- Select all plugins and click Deactivate.
- Refresh your site to see if it loads.
If you cannot access your dashboard:
- Use FTP or your hosting file manager.
- Open the wp-content folder.
- Rename the plugins folder to plugins_old.
- Check your website again.
If the site works now, one of your plugins caused the issue. Rename the folder back to plugins and activate them one by one to find the culprit.
Step 3: Switch to a Default Theme
If disabling plugins does not fix the issue, your theme may be the problem.
To check this:
- Go to Appearance → Themes in your dashboard.
- Activate a default theme like Twenty Twenty Four.
If your site loads, your old theme has an error. Update or reinstall it, or contact the developer for support.
If you cannot access your dashboard:
- Connect to your site via FTP.
- Go to wp-content/themes.
- Rename your active theme folder.
WordPress will automatically switch to a default theme.
Step 4: Increase PHP Memory Limit
If your website runs out of memory, it can trigger the critical error. You can fix this by increasing the PHP memory limit.
- Open your wp-config.php file again.
- Add this line before the line that says That’s all, stop editing!
define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
- Save the file and refresh your site.
This gives your website more memory to handle plugins and scripts.
If you are still getting the error, contact your hosting provider and ask them to increase the memory limit on your server.
Step 5: Update PHP Version
An outdated PHP version can also cause compatibility issues.
Check your current PHP version by logging into your hosting control panel. Most hosts use PHP 8.0 or higher for best performance.
If your version is older:
- Update it directly in your hosting control panel.
- Or contact your host and request an upgrade.
Using the latest PHP version improves speed, security, and reduces errors.
Step 6: Restore a Backup
If your site recently broke after an update and you have a backup, restoring it is the fastest solution.
You can use plugins like UpdraftPlus or Jetpack Backup, or your hosting’s built in backup tool.
After restoring, disable automatic updates for a while and update your plugins or themes one by one.
Step 7: Reinstall WordPress Core Files
If nothing else works, your WordPress core files might be corrupted. Reinstalling them can fix the issue without deleting your content.
- Download the latest version of WordPress from the official site.
- Unzip the files on your computer.
- Connect to your site using FTP.
- Upload all files except wp-content and wp-config.php.
- Replace the existing files when asked.
This gives you fresh core files while keeping your themes, plugins, and posts safe.
Step 8: Check the Error Email from WordPress
When WordPress detects a critical error, it often sends an email to the admin address. The subject usually says:
“Your Site is Experiencing a Technical Issue”
Check your inbox or spam folder for this message. It usually includes a link to “recovery mode,” allowing you to log in even when your site is broken.
In recovery mode, you can safely disable faulty plugins or themes directly from the dashboard.
Step 9: Contact Your Hosting Provider
If your site still shows a critical error after all these steps, the issue might be with your hosting server.
Contact your hosting support team and share details about the error. They can check server logs, permissions, and configurations that you cannot access yourself.
Good hosting companies can fix or guide you through the problem quickly.
How to Prevent the Critical Error in the Future
Once your site is working again, follow these steps to keep it stable:
- Keep WordPress, plugins, and themes updated.
- Avoid installing too many plugins.
- Backup your site regularly.
- Use a reliable hosting provider with good uptime.
- Test updates on a staging site before applying them to your live site.
Taking these small precautions will prevent most WordPress issues before they happen.
Conclusion
The critical error in WordPress may seem like a big problem, but in most cases, it is easy to fix. By enabling debug mode, checking plugins and themes, and adjusting your PHP settings, you can restore your website within minutes.
If you are still having trouble, restoring a backup or reinstalling WordPress core files usually solves the issue completely.
Keeping your site updated, optimized, and backed up is the best way to avoid critical errors in the future.
Your website can run smoothly and securely when you take care of it and now you know exactly how to fix it when something goes wrong.