WordPress is a powerful platform used by millions of websites. It is flexible, easy to use, and supported by a large community. But like any software, WordPress can run into problems from time to time. You might see errors such as pages not loading, plugins breaking, or your site showing a blank screen.
The good news is that most WordPress problems are easy to fix if you know where to look. In this WordPress troubleshooting guide, we will walk you through how to identify, diagnose, and resolve common issues that can affect your site.
Whether you are a beginner or a site manager, this step by step guide will help you keep your website stable and secure.
Step 1: Back Up Your Website
Before making any changes, always create a full backup of your WordPress site.
A backup should include:
- Your WordPress database
- Theme and plugin files
- Media uploads
You can use plugins such as UpdraftPlus, Jetpack Backup, or your hosting backup tool. Having a backup means you can restore your site if something goes wrong during troubleshooting.
Step 2: Identify the Problem
Start by observing what exactly is not working. Is it the entire website or just one page? Are you seeing a specific error message?
Common signs of WordPress errors include:
- The site displays a white screen
- Pages load slowly or crash
- You cannot log in to the admin panel
- Layout or styling looks broken
- Plugin features stop working
Write down any recent changes you made, such as plugin updates, theme changes, or code edits. This will help you narrow down the cause.
Step 3: Enable Debug Mode
WordPress includes a built in debug mode that helps you see what is causing an issue.
To enable it:
- Access your website files through FTP or your hosting file manager.
- Open the wp-config.php file in the root directory.
- 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 create a debug.log file inside wp-content. This file will show details about any errors occurring on your site.
Step 4: Check Plugin Conflicts
Plugins are one of the most common causes of WordPress errors.
To test for plugin conflicts:
- Log in to your hosting file manager or use FTP.
- Go to /wp-content/ and rename the plugins folder to plugins_old.
- Reload your website.
If the site starts working again, one of your plugins is the problem.
To find the exact one:
- Rename the folder back to plugins.
- Rename each plugin folder one by one until the issue returns.
When you identify the faulty plugin, delete it or replace it with a stable version.
Step 5: Switch to a Default Theme
Sometimes a theme update or custom code inside a theme can break your site.
To test this, switch to a default WordPress theme such as Twenty Twenty Four.
You can do this manually:
- Go to /wp-content/themes/
- Rename your active theme folder
- WordPress will automatically switch to the default theme
If the site loads correctly, your theme is the issue. Reinstall or contact the theme developer for support.
Step 6: Clear Cache and Cookies
Caching plugins and browser cookies can store outdated data that prevents your site from loading correctly.
- Clear your browser cache and cookies.
- Clear your WordPress cache using your caching plugin.
- If your hosting provider uses server caching, clear that as well.
After clearing cache, reload your website to see if the issue is resolved.
Step 7: Check for PHP Version Compatibility
WordPress works best with the latest version of PHP. Older versions may cause errors with modern plugins and themes.
You can check your PHP version in your hosting panel. If it is below 8.0, upgrade it from your hosting control settings.
Always back up your site before changing PHP versions.
Step 8: Increase the PHP Memory Limit
If your website shows memory related errors such as “Allowed memory size exhausted,” increase your PHP memory limit.
To do this:
- Open your wp-config.php file.
- Add this line before the “That’s all, stop editing!” comment.
define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
Save the file and check your website again.
Step 9: Reinstall Core WordPress Files
If your WordPress core files are corrupted, reinstalling them can help.
- Download the latest version of WordPress from wordpress.org.
- Unzip it on your computer.
- Upload the new files to your site using FTP, except the wp-content folder and wp-config.php file.
- Choose to overwrite the existing files.
This refreshes WordPress without affecting your content.
Step 10: Contact Hosting Support
If you have tried all the steps and your site still does not work, it may be a server issue.
Contact your hosting provider’s support team. They can check error logs, fix permission issues, or restore your website from a backup.
Common WordPress Errors and Quick Fixes
Here are some of the most frequent issues and how to solve them.
| Error | Cause | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| White Screen of Death | Plugin or theme conflict | Disable plugins or switch theme |
| 500 Internal Server Error | Corrupted .htaccess file | Rename .htaccess and regenerate |
| 404 Page Not Found | Broken permalink structure | Reset permalinks from settings |
| Memory Exhausted Error | Low PHP memory limit | Increase to 256M in wp-config.php |
| Login Page Refresh Loop | Cookie or plugin issue | Clear cache and disable plugins |
| Database Connection Error | Incorrect credentials | Check wp-config.php database settings |
Best Practices to Prevent Future WordPress Errors
- Keep WordPress, plugins, and themes updated
- Use trusted plugins and delete unused ones
- Backup your site weekly or before major updates
- Test new plugins on a staging site
- Use strong passwords and a security plugin
- Choose reliable hosting with good support
These habits can reduce downtime and make troubleshooting much easier.
Conclusion
Every WordPress website runs into problems eventually, but most issues are simple to fix when you follow a clear process. This WordPress troubleshooting guide showed you how to diagnose problems, test plugins and themes, use debug mode, and restore your site quickly. The key is to stay calm, make a backup before changes, and work step by step. Once you fix an issue, take note of the cause so you can prevent it next time. If your site still shows errors after trying these methods, it may be time to contact a WordPress expert for a deeper review. By keeping your site updated, backed up, and optimized, you will spend less time fixing problems and more time growing your website. Would you like me to create a visual troubleshooting flowchart for this blog that shows each step from backup to fixing errors? It will make the post more engaging for your readers on webspulse.com.