COMMON WORDPRESS ERRORS AND HOW TO RESOLVE THEM

Common WordPress Errors and How to Resolve Them

Common WordPress Errors and How to Resolve Them

Blog Article

Introduction

WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems in the world, powering over 40% of all websites. However, even the most robust platforms can run into occasional problems. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, encountering WordPress errors can be frustrating.

In this guide, we’ll cover the most common WordPress errors and how to resolve them quickly and effectively.

1. White Screen of Death (WSOD)

What it is:
A blank screen with no error message — just white space.

Common Causes:

  • Plugin or theme conflict

  • Exhausted memory limit

  • Corrupt core files

How to Fix It:

  • Disable all plugins via FTP or cPanel.

  • Switch to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Four.

  • Increase memory limit in wp-config.php:

    php
    define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');

  • Enable debug mode:

    php
    define('WP_DEBUG', true);

2. 500 Internal Server Error

What it is:
A generic error message when the server fails to load the page.

Common Causes:

  • Corrupted .htaccess file

  • Plugin/theme issues

  • PHP memory limit

How to Fix It:

  • Rename .htaccess file via FTP and refresh your site.

  • Increase PHP memory limit.

  • Deactivate plugins and revert to the default theme.

3. Error Establishing a Database Connection

What it is:
WordPress cannot connect to your database.

Common Causes:

  • Incorrect database credentials

  • Corrupt database

  • Server down

How to Fix It:

  • Check your wp-config.php credentials.

  • Repair your database via phpMyAdmin or add:

    php
    define('WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true);

  • Contact your hosting provider to check server status.

4. 404 Error on Posts

What it is:
Pages and posts show “404 Not Found” even though they exist.

Common Causes:

  • Permalink structure issues

How to Fix It:

  • Go to Settings > Permalinks and click Save Changes to flush rewrite rules.

  • Check .htaccess file for rewrite rules.

5. Stuck in Maintenance Mode

What it is:
Your site says “Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance.”

Common Causes:

  • Interrupted update process

How to Fix It:

  • Delete the .maintenance file from your WordPress root directory via FTP or File Manager.

6. 403 Forbidden Error

What it is:
Access denied to a specific resource or page.

Common Causes:

  • Incorrect file permissions

  • Corrupted plugins

  • Security plugin misconfiguration

How to Fix It:

  • Check file permissions (755 for folders, 644 for files).

  • Deactivate all plugins and test.

  • Contact your hosting provider if necessary.

7. Connection Timed Out

What it is:
Your site fails to load due to server overload.

Common Causes:

  • Heavy plugins

  • Theme conflicts

  • Low server resources

How to Fix It:

  • Deactivate resource-heavy plugins.

  • Increase PHP limits:

    php
    set_time_limit(300);

  • Upgrade to better hosting if needed.

Final Tips to Avoid WordPress Errors

  • Keep WordPress, themes, and plugins updated.

  • Use a staging site for testing changes.

  • Regularly back up your site.

  • Use reliable themes and plugins.

Conclusion

WordPress errors are common but rarely unfixable. By understanding the root causes and applying the right solutions, you can keep your site running smoothly. Bookmark this guide so you can quickly troubleshoot when problems arise.

Need help fixing an error? Drop your issue in the comments, and we’ll try to help

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