7 Common WordPress Errors and How to Fix Them (Step-by-Step Guide)

Managing a WordPress website can sometimes be challenging, especially when unexpected errors arise. This guide will walk you through seven of the most common WordPress errors, providing step-by-step solutions to help you resolve them efficiently.

1. Error Establishing a Database Connection

What It Means: This error indicates that WordPress cannot connect to your website’s database.

Common Causes:

• Incorrect database credentials in the wp-config.php file.
• Corrupted database.
• Issues with the database server.

How to Fix:

1. Check Database Credentials:
   • Access your wp-config.php file via FTP or your hosting control panel.

Verify the following lines:

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

2. Repair the Database:

Add the following line to your wp-config.php file:

phpCopyEditdefine('WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true);

Navigate to http://yourwebsite.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php and follow the on-screen instructions.

Remove the added line from wp-config.php after repairing.

Contact Hosting Provider:

• If the above steps don’t resolve the issue, reach out to your hosting provider to check if the database server is down.

2. White Screen of Death (WSOD)

What It Means: Your website displays a blank white screen without any error messages.

Common Causes:

• Plugin or theme conflicts.
• Exhausted memory limit.
• Syntax errors in code.BuyHTTP+2MalCare+2Pinterest+2WordPress Developer Resources+13SiteLock+13SeedProd+13

How to Fix:

1. Increase Memory Limit:

Add the following line to your wp-config.php file:

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

Disable All Plugins:

• Access your website’s files via FTP.
• Navigate to the wp-content directory.
• Rename the plugins folder to plugins_old.
• Check if the website loads. If it does, one of the plugins is causing the issue.
• Rename the folder back to plugins and activate each plugin one by one to identify the culprit.

Switch to a Default Theme:

• Navigate to the wp-content/themes directory.
• Rename your active theme’s folder. WordPress will revert to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-One.
• If the site loads, the issue lies with your theme.

3. 500 Internal Server Error

What It Means: A generic error indicating something is wrong with the server, but the server cannot specify the exact problem.Pressable

Common Causes:

• Corrupted .htaccess file.
• Exhausted PHP memory limit.
• Faulty plugins or themes.Pressable+4Acme Themes+4Plesk Forum+4Grace Themes+13SiteLock+13Acme Themes+13

How to Fix:

1. Check .htaccess File:
   • Access your website’s root directory via FTP.
   • Rename the .htaccess file to .htaccess_old.
   • Try loading your website. If it works, go to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard and click ‘Save’ to generate a new .htaccess file.Acme Themes
2. Increase PHP Memory Limit:

Add the following line to your wp-config.php file:

define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);

Deactivate Plugins and Themes:

• Follow the steps mentioned in the WSOD section to disable plugins and switch themes.

4. 404 Not Found Error

What It Means: Visitors can access your homepage, but other pages return a 404 error.

Common Causes:

• Issues with permalink settings.
• Deleted or moved pages/posts.Acme Themes

How to Fix:

1. Reset Permalinks:
   • Go to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard.
   • Click ‘Save Changes’ without making any modifications.Acme Themes
2. Check .htaccess File:
   • Ensure your .htaccess file has the correct rewrite rules.
   • If unsure, you can regenerate it by resetting permalinks as mentioned above.Acme Themes

5. Syntax Error

What It Means: A specific error message indicating a problem in your code, often due to a missing character or incorrect syntax.

Common Causes:

• Errors while editing theme or plugin files.
• Incorrect code snippets added to functions.php or other files.

How to Fix:

1. Access the File:
   • Use FTP or your hosting control panel’s file manager to navigate to the file mentioned in the error message.
2. Correct the Syntax:
   • Review the code for missing semicolons, brackets, or other syntax errors.
   • Correct the error and save the file.

1. Alternative:
   • If you’re unable to fix the code, consider restoring the file from a backup.

6. Connection Timed Out

What It Means: Your website is trying to do more than your server can handle, leading to a timeout.

Common Causes:

• Heavy plugins or themes.
• Limited server resources.

How to Fix:

1. Increase PHP Memory Limit:
   • Refer to the steps mentioned in the 500 Internal Server Error section.

Deactivate Plugins:

• Disable all plugins and reactivate them one by one to identify the resource-heavy plugin.

Upgrade Hosting Plan:

• If your website has outgrown your current hosting plan, consider upgrading to a plan with more resources.

7. Maintenance Mode Following Upgrade

What It Means: Your website is stuck in maintenance mode after an update.

Common Causes:

• Interrupted or failed updates.

How to Fix:

1. Delete .maintenance File:
   • Access your website’s root directory via FTP.
   • Locate and delete the .maintenance file.
   • Refresh your website to see if it’s back to normal.

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