WordPress is one of the most trusted and widely used website platforms in the world. It is flexible, powerful, and easy to use, but sometimes things go wrong. You might see a white screen, a “critical error” message, or pages that will not load.
If your website is showing errors, do not worry. These problems are very common, and most of them can be fixed in just a few steps.
In this guide, you will learn how to solve WordPress errors quickly and safely. We will cover what causes them, how to find the source of the issue, and how to fix your site without losing any data.
Step 1: Create a Backup
Before you try to fix anything, make sure you have a full backup of your site. This is the most important step.
You can use backup plugins like UpdraftPlus, All in One WP Migration, or Jetpack Backup. Many hosting providers also offer automatic backups.
A backup protects your files, images, database, and settings. If something goes wrong during troubleshooting, you can restore your site instantly.
Step 2: Enable Debug Mode
WordPress has a built in debug tool that shows you what is causing the error.
To enable it:
- Go to your hosting control panel or connect to your site with FTP.
- Open the file wp-config.php in your website’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 reload your website.
WordPress will now record all errors in a file called debug.log inside the wp-content folder. This log helps you find the exact plugin, theme, or file causing the issue.
Step 3: Deactivate All Plugins
Plugins are often the reason for broken websites or strange errors.
To test this:
- Go to your dashboard and open Plugins → Installed Plugins.
- Select all plugins and choose Deactivate.
- Check if your site starts working again.
If the site loads normally, one of your plugins is the problem. Reactivate them one by one until the error comes back. The last one you activated is the cause.
If you cannot access your dashboard, use FTP:
- Go to wp-content.
- Rename the plugins folder to plugins_old.
- Refresh your site.
WordPress will disable all plugins automatically.
Step 4: Switch to a Default Theme
If your theme is outdated or not coded properly, it can cause your site to crash.
To check this:
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Go to Appearance → Themes.
- Activate a default theme such as Twenty Twenty Four.
If your site starts working, your theme was the issue. Update it or contact the developer for help.
If you cannot log in, connect with FTP, go to wp-content/themes, and rename your active theme folder. WordPress will automatically switch to a default theme.
Step 5: Fix the .htaccess File
The .htaccess file controls how your site handles links and redirects. If it becomes corrupted, your site can stop loading.
To fix it:
- Connect to your site through FTP or your hosting file manager.
- Locate the .htaccess file in your main directory.
- Rename it to htaccess_old.
- Log in to your dashboard and go to Settings → Permalinks.
- Click Save Changes to create a new file automatically.
Step 6: Check PHP Version and Memory
Some errors occur because your website is using an old PHP version or does not have enough memory.
Update PHP Version
Ask your hosting provider to update your PHP version to 8.0 or higher. Newer versions are faster and more secure.
Increase Memory Limit
If you see a message like “Allowed memory size exhausted,” add this line to your wp-config.php file:
define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
This gives your website more memory to handle heavy tasks.
Step 7: Reinstall WordPress Core Files
If your WordPress core files are damaged, reinstalling them can fix most serious issues.
- Download the latest WordPress version from wordpress.org.
- Unzip the files on your computer.
- Upload everything to your site using FTP.
- Replace all files except the wp-content folder and wp-config.php.
This refreshes your installation without deleting any data or settings.
Step 8: Solve Common WordPress Errors
Here are the most frequent errors and how to fix them:
| Error | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| White Screen | Plugin or theme conflict | Disable plugins or switch theme |
| 500 Server Error | Corrupted .htaccess or PHP issue | Regenerate .htaccess, update PHP |
| 404 Error | Broken permalink structure | Go to settings and reset permalinks |
| Memory Exhausted | Low PHP memory | Increase to 256M in wp-config.php |
| Database Connection Error | Wrong credentials | Check wp-config.php for correct details |
| Login Redirect Loop | Cache or cookie problem | Clear browser cache and cookies |
These simple steps fix most WordPress errors in a few minutes.
Step 9: Clear Cache and Cookies
Sometimes your site looks broken even after fixing the issue because your browser or caching plugin is showing an old version.
- Clear your browser cache and cookies.
- Clear cache from your WordPress caching plugin.
- If your host uses server level caching, clear that as well.
Reload your site to confirm the changes.
Step 10: Contact Hosting Support
If your site still shows an error after trying all these steps, contact your hosting provider. They can check server logs and help fix deeper issues related to configuration or permissions.
A reliable hosting company can often restore your site in a few minutes.
How to Prevent Future WordPress Errors
Once your website is fixed, take these simple steps to avoid problems in the future:
- Keep WordPress, plugins, and themes updated.
- Delete plugins and themes you do not use.
- Choose quality hosting with strong uptime.
- Install a security plugin to prevent malware.
- Backup your site regularly using a trusted tool.
Following these steps will keep your site stable, secure, and error free.
Conclusion
WordPress errors can seem scary, but most of them are easy to fix. With a calm approach and the right steps, you can restore your site in minutes.
This how to solve WordPress errors guide gives you the tools to identify issues, fix them safely, and prevent them from happening again.
Keep your site updated, backed up, and protected, and you will spend more time growing your business instead of fixing problems.
Your WordPress site can stay fast, secure, and reliable with just a little care and attention.