Common WordPress Errors and How to Fix Them

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WordPress is a powerful and flexible platform, but like any software, it can encounter errors that disrupt website functionality. Some issues, like the Error 500 (Internal Server Error) or the White Screen of Death (WSOD), can be particularly frustrating. Fortunately, most common WordPress errors have straightforward solutions.

In this guide, we’ll cover the most frequent WordPress errors, their causes, and how to fix them.

1. Error 500 (Internal Server Error)

What Causes It?

The 500 Internal Server Error is a generic error message that indicates a problem with the server but does not specify the exact issue. Common causes include:

  • Corrupt .htaccess file
  • Plugin or theme conflicts
  • Exhausted PHP memory limit
  • Server misconfigurations

How to Fix It

1. Check and Reset the .htaccess File

  1. Connect to your website using FTP or cPanel File Manager.
  2. Locate the .htaccess file in the root directory.
  3. Rename it to .htaccess_old.
  4. Try reloading your website. If the issue is resolved, go to Settings > Permalinks in WordPress and click “Save Changes” to generate a new .htaccess file.

2. Increase PHP Memory Limit

  1. Access the wp-config.php file in your website’s root directory.
  2. Add the following line before /* That's all, stop editing! */: phpKopiujEdytujdefine('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
  3. Save the file and refresh your site.

3. Disable Plugins and Themes

If the issue persists, deactivate all plugins by renaming the wp-content/plugins folder to plugins_old. If this resolves the problem, rename the folder back and activate plugins one by one to identify the culprit.

If plugins are not the issue, try switching to a default WordPress theme (like Twenty Twenty-Four) by renaming the wp-content/themes folder.

2. White Screen of Death (WSOD)

What Causes It?

The White Screen of Death results in a completely blank screen, often caused by:

  • PHP errors
  • Memory limit exhaustion
  • Plugin or theme conflicts

How to Fix It

1. Enable Debugging Mode

Add the following code to your wp-config.php file to display error messages:

phpKopiujEdytujdefine('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);

Check the wp-content/debug.log file for error details.

2. Increase Memory Limit

Follow the steps mentioned in the Error 500 section to increase the PHP memory limit.

3. Deactivate Plugins and Themes

Rename the plugins and themes folders as described in the previous section to identify the problematic plugin or theme.

3. Error Establishing a Database Connection

What Causes It?

This error appears when WordPress cannot connect to the database due to:

  • Incorrect database credentials
  • Corrupted database
  • Server issues

How to Fix It?

1. Check Database Credentials

  1. Open the wp-config.php file.
  2. Verify the database name, username, password, and host: phpKopiujEdytujdefine('DB_NAME', 'your_database_name'); define('DB_USER', 'your_database_user'); define('DB_PASSWORD', 'your_database_password'); define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');
  3. If unsure, check your database details in your hosting panel.

2. Repair the Database

Add this line to wp-config.php:

phpKopiujEdytujdefine('WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true);

Then, visit yoursite.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php and follow the instructions.

4. 404 Error on Posts and Pages

What Causes It?

This error occurs when WordPress cannot find a requested page. It is usually due to broken permalinks.

How to Fix It?

  1. Go to Settings > Permalinks in the WordPress dashboard.
  2. Click “Save Changes” without making any modifications.
  3. If the issue persists, update the .htaccess file with this default WordPress rewrite rule: apacheKopiujEdytuj# BEGIN WordPress RewriteEngine On RewriteBase / RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L] RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d RewriteRule . /index.php [L] # END WordPress

5. WordPress Stuck in Maintenance Mode

What Causes It?

When updating plugins, themes, or WordPress core, a temporary .maintenance file is created. If the update process is interrupted, WordPress may remain in maintenance mode.

How to Fix It?

  1. Connect to your site using FTP.
  2. Locate and delete the .maintenance file in the root directory.
  3. Reload your website.

6. WordPress Login Page Refreshing or Redirecting

What Causes It?

This issue is often caused by:

  • Incorrect cookie settings
  • Corrupt .htaccess file
  • Plugin conflicts

How to Fix It?

1. Clear Browser Cookies and Cache

Try logging in using an incognito/private browsing window.

2. Rename the .htaccess File

Follow the .htaccess reset method mentioned in the Error 500 section.

3. Disable Plugins

Use FTP to rename the plugins folder and check if you can log in.

7. Unable to Upload Images in WordPress

What Causes It?

This issue is usually due to incorrect file permissions.

How to Fix It?

  1. Connect to your website using FTP.
  2. Navigate to wp-content/uploads.
  3. Right-click the folder and set permissions to 755 (for folders) and 644 (for files).
  4. If the issue persists, apply the permissions recursively to all subdirectories and files.

8. WordPress Not Sending Emails

What Causes It?

WordPress uses PHP mail functions, which some hosting providers disable for security reasons.

How to Fix It?

  1. Install an SMTP plugin such as WP Mail SMTP.
  2. Configure the plugin with an SMTP provider (e.g., Gmail, SendGrid, Mailgun).
  3. Test email delivery using the plugin’s built-in test feature.

WordPress errors can be frustrating, but most issues have simple solutions. By understanding the common causes and applying the appropriate fixes, you can quickly restore your website’s functionality.

If you continue to experience problems, consider reaching out to your hosting provider for additional support. Keeping backups and using a staging environment can also help prevent issues from affecting your live site.

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