15 Common WordPress Errors and How to Fix Them

Facing a WordPress error or seeing a blank screen? Don’t panic – you’re not alone. Every WordPress user, whether a business owner or developer, has faced technical issues at some point. The good news is most of these problems can be fixed with a little know-how.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through 15 common WordPress problems and provide simple, effective solutions to resolve them. Whether you’re maintaining a business site or working on a client project, these fixes will help you keep your site running smoothly. Let’s get started!

Top WordPress Issues and Their Fixes

When using WordPress, you may come across issues that disrupt its performance. This guide highlights common WordPress problems across five key areas – configuration, performance, security, theme, and debugging – and offers step-by-step solutions to resolve them. Pair this with a WordPress checklist for fast troubleshooting to ensure your site operates smoothly.

Configuration Issues

1. Error Establishing Database Connection

• What is it? This error occurs when WordPress can’t connect to the database. It is one of the most common WordPress issues. This error usually happens when the database credentials in your wp-config.php file are incorrect, or the database server is down.
• How to fix it?
  • Check your database credentials: You should make sure that the database name, username, password, and host in the wp-config.php file are correct.
  • Repair the database: Sometimes, the database might be corrupted. You can repair it using phpMyAdmin or a database repair plugin.
  • Check the database server: If the database server is down, contact your hosting provider to resolve the issue.
  • Increase PHP memory: If your site exceeds the PHP memory limit, you may also encounter this issue. Try increasing the memory limit in wp-config.php.

2. WordPress Stuck in Maintenance Mode

• What is it?
  It is another common WordPress error that occurs when your WordPress gets stuck in maintenance mode after an update. It happens if the update process is interrupted or doesn’t complete properly. This error prevents you from accessing your site.
• How to fix it?
  • Delete the .maintenance file: Go to your website’s root directory via FTP or File Manager and delete the .maintenance file.
  • Retry the update: If the update was interrupted, try updating your plugins or themes again.
  • Check for conflicts. Sometimes, plugins or themes cause the issue. You can disable problematic plugins or revert recent updates.

3. White Screen of Death (WSOD)

• What is it?
  If your website shows a blank white screen instead of content, that’s the White Screen of Death (WSOD). This usually happens because of plugin conflicts, theme issues, or running out of memory.
• How to fix it?
  • Deactivate plugins: Access your site via FTP and rename the plugins folder to deactivate them. If the site works, reactivate plugins one by one to find the culprit.
  • Switch to a default theme: If the issue is with the theme, switch to a default WordPress theme (like Twenty Twenty-One) by renaming your current theme folder.
  • Increase PHP memory limit: Edit wp-config.php to increase the PHP memory limit by adding this line: define( ‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’ );
  • Enable debugging: In wp-config.php, enable debugging by adding define(‘WP_DEBUG’, true);. This will help you find the cause of the issue.

Performance Issues

4. Cache issues

• What is it?
  Cache issues happen when outdated or incorrect versions of a page, image, or file are shown to users because of stored data in different caches. These caches can be on the server, in the browser, or at places like CDNs. This can cause problems like showing old content, slow performance, or incorrect files.
• How to fix it?
  • Clear Server Cache: If your website uses server-side caching, clear the cache via your server or caching plugin. In WordPress, plugins like W3 Total Cache or WP Super Cache can help.
  • Clear Object Cache: Ensure caching for static files (like images or CSS) is cleared. Use tools or plugins to reset cache for specific objects, helping maintain fresh content and better Core Web Vitals scores.
  • Clear Browser Cache: Ask users to clear their browser cache or use cache-control headers to load the latest content. Adding versioning (e.g., style.css?v=2) can also improve performance metrics.
  • Check CDN Cache: If using a CDN, refresh cached versions of your site. Purge old files through your CDN’s control panel to enhance Core Web Vitals.
  • Set Cache Expiry Headers: Configure proper expiry headers on your server to ensure caches re-fetch the latest data, helping maintain strong Core Web Vitals performance.

5. 404 Not Found Error

• What is it?
  If a page on your website can’t be found, it is a 404 Not Found Error. This error happens when the URL is incorrect, the page is deleted, or there are broken links that point to non-existent pages.
• How to fix it?
  • Reset permalinks: Go to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard to fix this WordPress error. Then, click on “Save Changes” to refresh your permalink structure.
  • Check for broken links: Use a plugin like Broken Link Checker to find and fix any links leading to non-existent pages.
  • Rebuild .htaccess file: A corrupted .htaccess file can sometimes cause 404 errors. You can regenerate it by resetting permalinks or manually updating the file.
  • Check for deleted pages: If a page was accidentally deleted, restore it from the trash or create a new one.

6. Connection Timed-out Error

• What is it?
  Does your website take too long to load? Is it causing the server to stop the connection? Then, it is a connection times-out error. Things like slow server response, heavy plugins, or too many concurrent requests can cause this problem.
• How to fix it?
  • Increase PHP time limits: Edit your wp-config.php file and add the following line to increase the max execution time:
    set_time_limit(300);
  • Deactivate heavy plugins: Disable plugins that are resource-heavy and test the site’s performance. Reactivate them one by one to identify the issue.
  • Upgrade hosting plan: If you’re on shared hosting, upgrading to a more powerful plan or a dedicated server can improve your website’s performance and prevent timeouts.
  • Optimize your database: Use a plugin like WP-Optimize to clean up your database and improve site speed.
  • Use a caching plugin: Install caching plugins like W3 Total Cache to reduce server load and improve page load times.

Security Issues

7. 403 Forbidden Error

• What is it?
  The 403 Forbidden Error happens when the server blocks access to a page or resource. This can happen because of incorrect file permissions, issues with the .htaccess file, or security plugin settings.
• How to fix it?
  • Check file permissions: You should ensure your WordPress files and folders have the correct permissions. Generally, files should have a permission of 644, and folders should be set to 755.
  • Deactivate security plugins: Sometimes, security plugins can block access to certain parts of your site. You should try disabling them temporarily to see if that resolves the issue.
  • Review the .htaccess file: A misconfigured .htaccess file can cause a 403 error. You can regenerate it by resetting the permalinks in your WordPress dashboard or manually correcting the file.
  • Clear browser cache: Sometimes, cached versions of the site can cause issues. Clear your browser cache and cookies to ensure you’re seeing the most up-to-date version of your site.
  • Check IP restrictions: If your server or security plugin blocks specific IPs, check the server’s settings to ensure your IP or region is not restricted.

8. Lack of Two-factor Authentication

• What is it? Lack of two-factor authentication (2FA) means that your WordPress site doesn’t require an additional layer of security to verify user identities. Without 2FA, attackers can potentially gain unauthorized access to your site even if they have the correct password.
• How to fix it?
  • Enable two-factor authentication: You should install a plugin like Wordfence, Google Authenticator, or Authy to enable 2FA on your WordPress site. This will require users to enter a second verification code, making it harder for attackers to access the site even if they know the password.
  • Use strong passwords: While 2FA adds a layer of security, it’s also important to use strong and unique passwords for all accounts, including admin and user logins.
  • Encourage users to enable 2FA: If your site has multiple users, ensure they also enable 2FA to protect their accounts from being compromised.
  • Monitor login attempts: Use security plugins to monitor and limit login attempts to reduce the risk of brute force attacks, especially when 2FA is enabled.

You May Also Read: WordPress Security: Advanced Techniques and Best Practices (with Sample Code)

9. Default Admin Username

• What is it?
  The default admin username is often “admin,” which is commonly targeted by attackers during brute-force attacks. When you use this username, it will be easier for hackers to gain access to your site if they can guess or crack the password.
• How to fix it?
  • Change the admin username: If you’re using the default “admin” username, create a new user with administrator privileges and delete the old admin account.
  • Rename the login URL: By changing the default WordPress login URL (e.g., from wp-login.php to something custom), you make it harder for attackers to find your login page.
  • Limit login attempts: Use a plugin to limit login attempts to prevent brute-force attacks. This ensures attackers can’t try too many passwords in a short period.
  • Add IP whitelisting: Restrict access to your WordPress admin area by allowing only specific IP addresses to access the login page. This can add an extra layer of security, especially for regular admins.
  • Update WordPress regularly: Keep your WordPress core, plugins, and themes updated to ensure known vulnerabilities are patched and your site remains secure.

Theme Issues

10. Broken Theme Layout

• What is it?
  A broken theme layout happens when your WordPress site’s design looks wrong or doesn’t load properly. This can be caused by a theme update, plugin conflicts, or coding errors.
• How to fix it?
  • Deactivate plugins: Turn off all plugins to see if one is causing the problem. If the layout works, reactivate them one by one to find the issue.
  • Switch to a default theme: If it’s a theme problem, switch to a default WordPress theme to check if the layout is fixed.
  • Clear cache: Sometimes, cached data can cause issues. Clear both your browser and site cache to see if that fixes it.
  • Check for CSS issues: Look through your theme’s CSS for any errors or conflicts. You can also use your browser’s developer tools to find broken styles.
  • Reinstall or update the theme: If the update didn’t go well, reinstall or update your theme to the latest version.

11. Missing Images or Media

• What is it?
  If your WordPress site isn’t displaying images or other media correctly, it could be due to missing files. This can happen because of incorrect file paths, issues with the media library, or problems after migrating your site.
• How to fix it?
  • Check file paths: Make sure images are in the right folder and the links in your posts or pages are correct.
  • Re-upload missing media: If images are missing, try uploading them again in the media library.
  • Check file permissions: Ensure the media folder (wp-content/uploads) has the right permissions: 755 for folders and 644 for files.
  • Regenerate thumbnails: Use a plugin like Regenerate Thumbnails to recreate image sizes that may have been lost.
  • Check the database: If images were lost during migration, use Velvet Blues Update URLs to fix image links in the database.

Debugging Issues

12. Memory Exhausted Error

• What is it?
  Does your WordPress site use more memory than allowed? Is it causing it to crash or stop working? Then it’s likely the memory exhausted error. This usually happens when there are too many plugins, large media files, or a heavy theme.
• How to fix it?
  • Increase the PHP memory limit: Add the following line to your wp-config.php file: define( ‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’ );
  • Deactivate unused plugins: Disable plugins that are not needed, as they can consume memory.
  • Optimize your database: Use plugins like WP-Optimize to clean up your database and reduce memory usage.
  • Upgrade your hosting plan: If you’re on shared hosting, consider upgrading to a more powerful plan with more memory.

13. Login Page Redirect Loop

• What is it?
  The login page redirect loop occurs when you try to log in to your WordPress site but keep getting sent back to the login page. This can happen due to cookie issues, incorrect URL settings, or plugin conflicts.
• How to fix it?
  • Clear browser cache and cookies: You can clear your browser’s cache and cookies to fix any login issues caused by stored data.
  • Check site and home URL: Make sure the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) in the Settings > General section are correct.
  • Disable plugins: If a plugin causes the issue, deactivate them via FTP by renaming the plugins folder.
  • Reset your password: If the issue persists after clearing cookies and cache, try resetting your password.
  • Check for SSL conflicts: If you recently enabled SSL, ensure your URLs start with https instead of http.

14. Syntax or Parse Errors

• What is it?
  If the code contains a mistake, such as a typo or missing characters like parentheses, commas, or semicolons, this error occurs. It prevents WordPress from running properly and displays an error message.
• How to fix it?
  • Check the error message: The error message will usually tell you which file and line have the issue.
  • Fix the typo: Go to the file mentioned and correct any syntax mistakes, such as missing parentheses, semicolons, or brackets.
  • Restore a backup: If you can’t find the error, restoring a recent backup can help.
  • Disable recent changes: If you added custom code recently, undo those changes to see if it resolves the issue.
  • Enable debugging: To identify and fix code issues, turn on debugging in wp-config.php by adding define(‘WP_DEBUG’, true).

15. Database Errors

• What is it?
  If your WordPress site cannot connect to or interact with the database, it’s likely a database error. This can occur due to incorrect credentials, a corrupt database, or server issues.
• How to fix it?
  • Check database credentials: Make sure the database name, username, password, and host in your wp-config.php file are correct.
  • Repair the database: Use phpMyAdmin to repair the database or add define(‘WP_ALLOW_REPAIR’, true); to wp-config.php and visit your-site.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php to repair it.
  • Check the database server: If the database server is down, contact your hosting provider for assistance.
  • Increase PHP memory limit: If the issue is related to memory, increase the PHP memory limit by editing wp-config.php.
  • Reinstall WordPress: If the problem persists, reinstalling WordPress can help refresh the database connection.

Best Practices to Manage Your WordPress Site Effectively

Managing a WordPress site is essential for keeping it running smoothly. By following a few simple practices, you can avoid problems and make sure your site stays secure, fast, and easy to use. Here are some tips to help you manage your WordPress site properly.

• Keep WordPress Updated:

  You should regularly update WordPress core, themes, and plugins to get the latest features and security fixes. This helps keep your site running smoothly and reduces security risks. It also ensures better performance and compatibility with new technologies.

• Backup Your Site Regularly:

  It’s important to back up your site regularly using plugins like UpdraftPlus. This way, if something goes wrong, you can easily restore your site to its previous state and avoid losing important data. Regular backups give you peace of mind knowing your site is always protected.

• Use Strong Passwords:

  Use strong, unique passwords for your admin accounts to keep your site safe. It’s also a good idea to encourage others to do the same to help prevent unauthorized access. Strong passwords are a simple but effective way to protect your site.

• Streamline WordPress Performance:

  To improve your WordPress site’s performance, focus on reducing load times and enhancing user experience. Start by optimizing WordPress using Core Web Vitals to boost page speed. You can also enhance interactivity by optimizing WordPress performance with React-powered widgets for a smoother, more responsive site.

• Ensure Mobile Responsiveness:

  With more users accessing websites from mobile devices, ensuring your WordPress site is mobile-friendly is crucial. A responsive design ensures your site looks and functions well on all screen sizes, improving user experience and SEO. Use responsive themes, optimize images, and test your site on various devices to provide a seamless browsing experience for mobile users.

• Implement Security Measures:

  Install security plugins like Wordfence to help protect your site from threats and make sure SSL encryption is turned on. These simple steps can keep your site safe and give you peace of mind.

• Hire WordPress Developers When Needed:

  If you’re unsure how to handle complex issues or customizations, you can hire expert WordPress developers from leading web development companies. They can help you with advanced tasks and ensure your site runs smoothly. With their expertise, you can save time and focus on growing your business.

• Monitor Site Health:

  Check your site’s health regularly using the WordPress Site Health tool to spot any issues early. This helps you keep your site running smoothly and fix problems before they become bigger.

You May Also Read: A Step-by-Step Guide to Build a Headless WordPress Website with React

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the default memory limit for WordPress?

WordPress usually sets a memory limit of 40MB for single-site and 64MB for multi-site. You can increase this limit by editing your wp-config.php file or asking your hosting provider for help.

2. How can you check the performance and health of your WordPress site?

You can check your site’s health under Tools > Site Health in your WordPress dashboard. This tool gives you tips on improving performance and security.

3. How can you view WordPress errors?

To see errors, enable debugging in your wp-config.php file. Just add this line: define(‘WP_DEBUG’, true);
This will display errors and warnings to help you fix problems.

4. How do you turn on WP Debug mode?

To enable WP Debug, go to your wp-config.php file and add or change this line to true: define(‘WP_DEBUG’, true);
You can also use WP_DEBUG_LOG to save errors in a debug file for later.

5. How do you troubleshoot WordPress code?

Start by turning on WP Debug to see any PHP errors. If you’re adding custom code, you should check the error logs. You can also deactivate plugins or switch themes temporarily to spot any conflicts. Testing in a local setup before going live can also help catch issues early.

Need help fixing WordPress errors quickly and efficiently? At Capital Numbers, our expert team specializes in WordPress troubleshooting and optimization. Contact us today for tailored solutions to keep your site running smoothly!

Bottom Line

WordPress errors can be frustrating, but they’re part of the process when managing a site. By following the techniques we’ve discussed, you can easily identify and fix the WordPress problems that may pop up. Whether you’re managing a business site or working as a developer, knowing how to handle these common errors will help you save time and keep your site running smoothly.

WordPress troubleshooting is key. By staying proactive and following the steps we’ve shared, you can ensure your site remains functional and user-friendly. Don’t let these issues slow you down – you’ve got this!

Sanjay Singhania, Project Manager

Sanjay, a dynamic project manager at Capital Numbers, brings over 10 years of experience in strategic planning, agile methodologies, and leading teams. He stays updated on the latest advancements in the digital realm, ensuring projects meet modern tech standards, driving innovation and excellence.