Troubleshooting Common WordPress Errors and How to Fix Them

Disable Plugins :  

• Rename the entire plugins folder via FTP or File Manager to deactivate everything at once. Restore plugins one by one to pinpoint the problematic one. 

Try Switching the Theme :  

• A faulty or outdated theme can trigger WSOD. To test this, rename your active theme’s folder, for example, change astra to astra_backup. If you rename your current theme’s folder, WordPress will automatically revert to a default theme such as Twenty Twenty-Five.

Increase Memory Limit :  

Add this line inside wp-config.php

Enable Debugging :  

• Turn on WP debugging to see the underlying error:

2. Internal Server Error (500 Error)

A 500 error is a broad server-level issue that doesn’t reveal the exact cause. This makes it particularly challenging for beginners. Most of the time, the error is triggered by corrupted files, incompatible plugins, or server configuration problems. It often occurs due to corrupted configuration files, faulty plugins, or server limitations.

Possible Causes 

• Corrupted .htaccess file 

• Plugin or theme conflict 

• Server misconfiguration

Fixing the Error :  

Rebuild .htaccess :  

• Delete or rename .htaccess. Then go to:
  Settings → Permalinks → Save Changes
  This regenerates a fresh file. 

Deactivate Plugins/Themes :  

• Follow the same steps as WSOD to identify the conflict. 

Increase PHP Values :  

• Sometimes increasing max_execution_time and memory_limit helps. 

Review File Permissions :  

Improper file or directory permissions can interfere with how WordPress reads or writes important data, causing various errors across the site. As a best practice:

• Folders should use permission 755.
• Files should use permission 644.
• Setting the correct permissions helps ensure WordPress can read and execute the required files without exposing your site to unnecessary security risks.

3. Error Establishing a Database Connection

This error appears when WordPress is unable to reach or communicate with the database. The issue typically stems from incorrect database login details, damaged tables, or a temporary problem with your hosting server. In most cases, fixing the database credentials or repairing the database resolves it quickly.

Common Reasons 

• Wrong database credentials 

• Corrupt database 

• Database server down

Solutions 

Verify Credential 

• Check the values in wp-config.php: 

• DB_NAME 

• DB_USER 

• DB_PASSWORD 

• DB_HOST 

Repair the Database :  

• Add this to wp-config.php: 

define(‘WP_ALLOW_REPAIR’, true); 

Then visit:   yourwebsite.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php 

Check Hosting :  
Sometimes the MySQL server is offline; your provider must fix it.

4. 404 Page Errors :

A 404 error usually affects individual pages instead of the whole site. 

Why This Happens 

• Broken permalinks 

• Missing rewrite rules 

• Recently moved or renamed pages 

How to Fix :  

Reset Permalinks :  

• Go to: Settings → Permalinks → Save Changes 

Refresh Your .htaccess File  :  

• Sometimes, a damaged or misconfigured .htaccess file can prevent WordPress pages from loading correctly, leading to access or display errors.
• Create a new one by replacing its contents with the standard WordPress rules:

5. Memory Exhausted Error :

When your website uses more PHP memory than allowed, you may see an error message similar to:

“Allowed memory size exhausted…”

This indicates that WordPress needs more memory to complete certain tasks, such as running heavy plugins or processing large images.

Solutions include:

• Add the following line to wp-config.php to increase the memory limit:
  • define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);

• Deactivate resource-heavy plugins

• Remove unnecessary builders or add-ons

• Contact your host to increase the server’s PHP memory allocation

6. Plugin Conflicts :

Plugins create most of WordPress’s power—but they can also cause many issues. 

Symptoms 

• Layout breaks 

• Website slows down 

• Features stop working 

• Error logs display fatal errors 

To find out which plugin is causing an issue, reactivate your plugins one by one instead of enabling them all at once.

• Turn on the first plugin → check your site.
• When you reactivate plugins one by one, if the website functions correctly after turning one on, you can proceed to the next plugin in your list.
• The moment your site breaks again, you’ve identified the plugin responsible for the conflict.

Using this step-by-step method makes it easy to identify which plugin is causing the conflict without having to guess or disable everything at once.

Prevention Tips 

• Use only trusted plugins. 
• Keep plugins updated.
• Avoid using multiple plugins for the same functionality.

7. Theme Issues :

Themes that are outdated, poorly developed, or incompatible with your WordPress setup can lead to layout glitches or even break your site.

Handling Theme-Related Problems : 

1. Switch to a Safe Theme: Activate a reliable default WordPress theme such as Twenty Twenty-Five. If the site loads properly with this theme, you can be certain that your original theme is responsible for the issue.
2. Remove Old Themes: Delete themes you no longer use to avoid unnecessary clutter and potential security risks.
3. Check Theme Compatibility: Verify that your chosen theme supports your current WordPress version and works well with any major plugins you have installed. Outdated or incompatible themes often cause layout errors or fatal issues.
4. Inspect Missing Files: Verify that essential template files like header.php, footer.php, and index.php are present and not corrupted.

8. Login Page Redirect Loop :  

Sometimes WordPress keeps bouncing you back to the login page even after entering the correct credentials.

This usually happens due to cookie issues, incorrect URL settings, or conflicts caused by security plugins. Clearing cookies, checking site URL settings, or temporarily disabling security plugins often resolves it.

What Causes This: 

• Browser cookies issues 

• Incorrect WordPress Address or Site Address 

• Corrupt .htaccess 

• Plugin conflicts 

Fixes: 

• Clear browser cookies 

• Reset .htaccess 

• Update site URLs via wp-config.php: 

• define(‘WP_HOME’, ‘https://yourwebsite.com‘); 

• define(‘WP_SITEURL’, ‘https://yourwebsite.com’);

9. Stuck in Maintenance Mode :  

During updates, WordPress creates a temporary .maintenance file to let visitors know the site is being worked on.

If a plugin or theme update doesn’t finish properly, WordPress can sometimes remain locked in maintenance mode, preventing visitors from accessing your site.

Easy Fix:

• Use FTP or your hosting file manager and delete the .maintenance file located in the root WordPress directory. As soon as this file is removed, your site will instantly return to normal operation.

10. Slow Website Performance :

Sluggish websites can hurt SEO and user experience. 

Common Causes: 

• Heavy plugins 

• Unoptimized images 

• Slow hosting 

• No caching 

Fixes:

• Install a caching plugin 

• Compress images 

• Use a CDN 

• Upgrade your hosting plan