WordPress provides one of the world’s most well-known website platforms, with over 40% of sites globally using it. The flexibility, ease of use, and vast plugin offerings of WordPress make it a top option for businesses, bloggers, and developers.
Like any software, WordPress comes with its own set of challenges. Unexpected errors can strike at any moment and tend to scare website owners. The good news is that most errors that WordPress creates tend to have solutions.
This blog post will look at some of the most common issues with WordPress and offer practical solutions to fix them. These guides will come in handy for both DIY website owners as well as web developers who offer technical support for WordPress websites.
#1 Windows White Screen of Death (WSOD)
Problem:
WSOD is self-explanatory, being a blank screen with an utter lack of an error message – only a terrifying sight. This ranks among the worst of issues due to its surprising lack of hints.
Causes:
- Conflicting plugins or themes
- Lack of PHP
- Running out of memory
Solution:
Disable Plugins: Use FTP to access your site. Go to the wp-content folder and change the name of the plugins folder to disable it. If the site starts up successfully, the issue is a plugin.
Remove all themes except your active theme. Change the name of your theme’s folder to force WordPress to select a default theme.
To increase your memory limit, you need to go to wp-config.php and write:
define(‘WPMEMORYLIMIT’, ‘256M’);
Remember, completing regular maintenance on the website, along with caution while updating plugins or themes, will help prevent the issue.
This word or phrase may cause security risks for your WordPress website:
#2 Error Establishing a Database Connection
Problem:
This may be your issue: your website displays “Error establishing a database connection.” In this case, WordPress is unable to connect to the database.
Causes:
- Your credentials are incorrect.
- Database that is used is corrupted.
- Your database server is terminated.
Perform:
- Check wp-config.php: Check for correct values of database name, username, password, and hosts.
- Repair Database: It can be done within the wp-config.php.
define(‘WPALLOWREPAIR, true);
Then go to: yoursite.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php to repair the database. - If your database server is down, you may need to repair it with the help of the hosting provider.
The damage caused in question emphasizes the importance of continuous monitoring and backing up the data of your site.
#3 Internal Server Error 500
Problem:
The error message doesn’t explain the real cause, however usually its cause is on the server-side. We will still check a few things.
Causes:
- Corrupted .htaccess file
- Plugin/Theme conflict with each other
- Allocation restricted PHP memory
Solution:
- Rename .htaccess: Connect to your site using FTP, change .htaccess to .htaccess_old, and go to Settings > Permalinks and run the WordPress dashboard settings.”
- Disable Plugins/Themes: Just like we did with the WSOD issue, it is suggested that switching themes and disabling plugins is also tried.
- Increase the PHP memory limit as previously mentioned.
If you are not sure about editing files, it’s good to hire a professional WordPress developer.
#4 Stuck in Maintenance Mode
Problem:
The site returns “Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance” after an update has been unsuccessfully completed.
Cause:
A .maintenance file gets created during an update. If this isn’t removed, the site gets stuck.
Solution:
- Connect to your server using FTP or a file manager.
- Navigate to the root directory and remove the .maintenance file.
The process should be done carefully to avoid any further issues.
#5 404 Errors on Posts
Problem:
While the homepage is working fine, individual posts result in a 404 error.
Cause:
This is generally related to permalink settings.
Solution:
To refresh the permalink structure, without changes, go to the WordPress dashboard, navigate to “Permalinks” under “Settings,” and click “Save Changes.”
#6 Failed Image Uploading
Problem:
You get an error such as “HTTP error” or “Unable to create directory” when uploading images.
Cause:
- A conflict with some plugins
- Issues with memory
- Wrong file permissions
Solution:
- Check folder permissions of the uploads directory: /wp-content/uploads. The permissions must be set to 755.
- Disabling some image security and optimization plugins for a while may help.
- You can also adjust the memory limit accordingly.
Such problems may require a web developer to solve, particularly in managed hosting environments. Seek assistance of an experienced web developer.
#7 Locked Out of Admin Panel
Problem:
You are unable to log into your WordPress admin dashboard.
Causes:
- Lost password.
- Conflict between plugins.
- Website compromised.
Solution:
Click on the “Lost your password?” link to reset it.
Reset password in phpMyAdmin by navigating to wpusers, changing userpass to a desired value with MD5 encryption, and updating the table. Rename the plugin directory.
#8 Syntax Errors
Issues:
You receive errors like “Parse error: syntax error, unexpected…”.
Causes:
This usually occurs from incorrect edits to a theme or plugin file in the code.
Solution:
- Connect via FTP and remove your most recent changes.
- Always use a child theme first and add custom code on the staging site before editing the live site.
Pro Tips for Ongoing WordPress Health
Website maintenance is not a one-off. Here is a primary list of best practices for continuous WordPress support and site maintenance:
- Backup regularly: Set up automatic backups with UpdraftPlus or Jetpack.
- Update plugins and themes: As a rule of thumb, always test updates on your staging site first.
- Clean database: Ensure tools are in place, like WP-Optimize, to delete outdated data.
- Install a security plugin: Wordfence or iThemes Security can be helpful in blocking unauthorized access.
- Hire a professional: If you feel overworked or unqualified, a dedicated web developer or a repair website services agency can relieve the burden.
Wrapping Up
While WordPress is highly versatile, it needs attention just like every other system. Whether the problem is a simple bug or a more complex one, each has a solution. Knowing the common problems and how to tackle them can spare you a great deal of effort and expense.
If you are overwhelmed with fixing issues on your site or require regular assistance with support or repair services, you should consult with an expert. Their services may include error resolution, updates, or general upkeep to keep the site running optimally, but their assistance will guarantee the fortification and smooth operation of your WordPress site.
A well-managed website increases customer satisfaction, SEO results, and offers peace of mind.