Fix Common WordPress Errors: White Screen, 404, Database Issues & More

Fix Common WordPress Errors: White Screen, 404, Database Issues & More

WordPress is a powerful and user-friendly platform, but like any software, it can sometimes run into problems. Fortunately, most issues can be resolved with some basic troubleshooting. Whether you’re dealing with a white screen, 404 errors, or broken links, this guide will help you identify and fix the most common WordPress problems. Fix Common WordPress Errors: White Screen, 404, Database Issues & More

1. White Screen of Death (WSOD)

Problem:

You visit your site and see nothing but a blank white screen—no error message, no content.

Possible Causes:

• Plugin or theme conflict

• PHP memory limit exceeded

• Corrupted core files

Fixes:

Increase PHP Memory Limit:

1. Access your site via FTP or File Manager.

2. Edit the wp-config.php file.

3. Add this line before the /* That's all, stop editing! */ comment:

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

4. Save and re-upload the file.

Disable Plugins and Themes:

1. Go to your hosting control panel or use FTP.

2. Rename the /wp-content/plugins/ folder to /plugins_old/.

3. Reload your site. If it works, a plugin was causing the issue.

4. Restore the folder name and disable plugins one by one in the admin panel.

Switch to Default Theme:

1. Rename your active theme folder in /wp-content/themes/.

2. WordPress will default to the Twenty Twenty-Four theme.

2. 404 Error on Posts or Pages

Problem:

You get a “404 Not Found” error when trying to access specific pages or posts.

Possible Causes:

• Permalink settings are incorrect

• Missing or corrupted .htaccess file

Fixes:

Reset Permalinks:

1. Go to WordPress Dashboard > Settings > Permalinks.

2. Select a different structure (e.g., Plain) and save.

3. Change back to your preferred setting and save again.

Regenerate .htaccess File:

1. Access your site via FTP.

2. Locate the .htaccess file in the root directory.

3. Delete it and create a new one.

4. Add this default WordPress code:

   # BEGIN WordPress
   RewriteEngine On
   RewriteBase /
   RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
   RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
   RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
   RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
   # END WordPress
   

5. Save the file and reload your site.

3. Internal Server Error (500 Error)

Problem:

Your site displays a “500 Internal Server Error.”

Possible Causes:

• Corrupted .htaccess file

• Plugin or theme conflict

• PHP memory limit issues

Fixes:

Check the .htaccess File: Follow the steps above to regenerate .htaccess.

Disable Plugins and Themes: Try the plugin/theme rename method mentioned in the WSOD fix.

Increase PHP Memory Limit: Add this line in wp-config.php:

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

4. Error Establishing a Database Connection

Problem:

Your site cannot connect to the database, showing a database error message.

Possible Causes:

• Incorrect database credentials

• Corrupt database

• Database server issues

Fixes:

Check wp-config.php Database Credentials:

1. Access wp-config.php via FTP.

2. Look for these lines:

   
   define('DB_NAME', 'your_database_name');
   define('DB_USER', 'your_database_user');
   define('DB_PASSWORD', 'your_database_password');
   define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');
   

3. Ensure the details match your hosting provider’s settings.

Repair the Database:

1. Add this line to wp-config.php:

   define('WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true);

2. Visit yourwebsite.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php and follow the instructions.

Contact Hosting Support: If the issue persists, your database server might be down.

5. WordPress Stuck in Maintenance Mode

Problem:

After an update, your site is stuck in maintenance mode with the message:
“Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance. Check back in a minute.”

Possible Cause:

• A failed or interrupted WordPress update

Fix:

Delete the .maintenance File:

1. Access your site via FTP.

2. Locate and delete the .maintenance file in the root directory.

3. Reload your website.

6. WordPress Not Sending Emails

Problem:

Your contact forms, notifications, or password reset emails are not working.

Possible Cause:

• WordPress uses PHP mail(), which is often blocked by hosting providers.

Fix:

Use an SMTP Plugin:

1. Install WP Mail SMTP from the WordPress plugin directory.

2. Set up SMTP using Gmail, SendGrid, or your hosting provider’s SMTP details.

3. Send a test email to confirm it’s working.

Conclusion

WordPress errors can be frustrating, but they are usually easy to fix with the right approach. By following the troubleshooting steps above, you can quickly resolve common issues and get your website back up and running.

• White Screen of Death? Disable plugins or increase PHP memory.
• 404 Errors? Reset permalinks and check .htaccess.
• 500 Internal Server Error? Look for corrupted .htaccess or plugin conflicts.
• Database Issues? Check wp-config.php credentials and repair the database.
• Stuck in Maintenance Mode? Delete the .maintenance file.
• Emails Not Sending? Configure SMTP with WP Mail SMTP.
• Fix Common WordPress Errors: White Screen, 404, Database Issues & More

By keeping your WordPress site updated and backed up, you can prevent most of these errors from occurring. If all else fails, contact your hosting provider for additional support.