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How to Fix Common WordPress Errors (With Screenshots)

   Published Date: June 7, 2025  Leave a Comment on How to Fix Common WordPress Errors (With Screenshots)
How to fix common WordPress errors – step-by-step troubleshooting with screenshots

Introduction to WordPress Troubleshooting

WordPress is powerful, flexible, and beginner-friendly—but it isn’t immune to technical hiccups. From white screens to error messages, common WordPress issues can be frustrating and confusing, especially if you’re not a developer.

Fortunately, most of these issues are well-documented and easily fixable. This guide will walk you through how to fix common WordPress errors step by step. With visual cues, safety advice, and easy instructions, you’ll gain the confidence to troubleshoot without panic.

Backup Your WordPress Site First

Before you fix anything, back up everything.

A full backup includes:

  • Database (posts, users, settings)

  • Files (themes, plugins, uploads)

Use free plugins like UpdraftPlus or BackWPup, or back up manually via your hosting cPanel or File Manager. Mistakes happen—backups give you a reset button.

Error Establishing a Database Connection

What It Looks Like:

Your screen goes white with just the message:
Error establishing a database connection

Causes:

  • Incorrect wp-config.php credentials

  • Database server is down

  • Corrupt database

How to Fix:

  1. Open your wp-config.php file.
    Check these lines:

php
define('DB_NAME', 'your_db_name');
define('DB_USER', 'your_username');
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'your_password');
define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');

  1. If these are correct, try accessing:
    yoursite.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php

Click “Repair Database” if prompted.

Screenshot Example:
Show correct vs. incorrect wp-config settings.

White Screen of Death (WSOD)

What It Looks Like:

A blank screen. No error message. Just nothing.

Common Causes:

  • Plugin conflict

  • Theme conflict

  • Exhausted memory

How to Fix:

  1. Enable Debug Mode in wp-config:

php
define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );

  1. Disable plugins via FTP by renaming /wp-content/plugins/ to /plugins_old/

  2. Switch to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Four

Screenshot Example:
Demonstrate how to rename plugin folder in File Manager.

Internal Server Error (500 Error)

What It Looks Like:

A generic “500 Internal Server Error” screen.

How to Fix:

  • Rename your .htaccess file to .htaccess_old

  • Revisit Settings > Permalinks and click “Save”

  • Increase PHP memory:

php
define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');

  • Deactivate all plugins, then reactivate one by one.

Screenshot Example:
Show location of .htaccess and how to rename.

404 Page Not Found Errors

When It Happens:

You can access your homepage, but posts/pages show a 404 error.

Fix:

  • Go to Settings > Permalinks, then click Save Changes

  • If that fails, regenerate .htaccess manually.

WordPress Stuck in Maintenance Mode

What It Looks Like:

“Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance. Check back in a minute.”

Fix:

  1. Access your WordPress root directory

  2. Delete the file named .maintenance

Screenshot Example:
Show File Manager view with .maintenance highlighted.

Syntax Error in WordPress

What It Looks Like:

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected...

Why:

A misplaced semicolon, bracket, or missing quote in your theme or plugin PHP file.

Fix:

  • Access the file via FTP or cPanel File Manager

  • Correct the code, or revert to the backup

Tip: Use WPCode plugin to safely insert code snippets next time.

Memory Exhausted Error

Fix:

  1. Edit wp-config.php and add:

php
define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');

  1. If that fails, contact your host to increase PHP memory on the server.

Too Many Redirects Error

Fix:

  • Clear browser cookies

  • Disable caching plugins (like WP Super Cache)

  • Check for HTTPS/HTTP conflicts in wp-config or settings

Example:

php
define('WP_HOME','https://yourdomain.com');
define('WP_SITEURL','https://yourdomain.com');

Broken Theme or Stylesheet Missing

When It Happens:

After uploading a new theme via ZIP.

Fix:

  • Ensure you upload only the theme folder, not the parent ZIP file containing docs/license

  • Use Appearance > Themes > Add New > Upload Theme

Image Upload Issues

Symptoms:

  • HTTP errors during upload

  • Blank image previews

  • Image won’t appear in post

Fix:

  • Set file permissions for /wp-content/uploads/ to 755

  • Install the Regenerate Thumbnails plugin

Sidebar Below Content Error

Cause:

Broken HTML or CSS, often from unclosed <div> tags.

Fix:

  • Validate HTML with W3C Markup Validator

  • Switch to a default theme to isolate the issue

Login Page Redirect Loop

Symptoms:

You log in and get redirected back to the login page.

Fix:

  • Clear cookies

  • Check .htaccess rules

  • Update WP_HOME and WP_SITEURL in wp-config.php

WordPress Not Sending Emails

Fix:

  • Install WP Mail SMTP plugin

  • Use SMTP settings from Gmail, Sendinblue, or Mailgun

403 Forbidden Error

Fix:

  • Check file permissions (should be 755 or 644)

  • Disable security plugins like Wordfence

  • Ask your hosting provider if your IP is blocked

Fatal Error: Allowed Memory Size Exhausted

Fix:

Edit wp-config.php and increase memory:

php
define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');

Connection Timed Out

Cause:

Overloaded server, especially on shared hosting.

Fix:

  • Deactivate heavy plugins (e.g., builders, security plugins)

  • Upgrade hosting or use caching

How to Use Debug Mode in WordPress

Enable it by adding to wp-config.php:

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

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

When to Use FTP or File Manager

Use FTP when:

  • You can’t access the dashboard

  • Need to edit or delete plugins/themes

  • Want to rename folders to disable features

Tools: FileZilla, cPanel File Manager

Fixing Plugin or Theme Conflicts

  • Rename /plugins/ to disable all

  • Rename /themes/ and activate default

  • Use Health Check & Troubleshooting plugin (safe mode)

Keeping WordPress Secure and Stable

  • Keep plugins, themes, and core updated

  • Use security plugins like Wordfence or iThemes Security

  • Regular backups via UpdraftPlus or Jetpack

Using a Staging Site for Testing

Don’t test fixes on your live site.

Use staging via:

  • Your host (many offer one-click staging)

  • Plugins like WP Staging

  • Local environments (Local by Flywheel, MAMP)

How to Restore a Broken WordPress Site

  • Use your latest backup

  • Restore via plugin or cPanel File Manager

  • Contact hosting support if stuck

Helpful Tools and Plugins for Troubleshooting

  • WP Rollback – Revert plugins/themes

  • Query Monitor – Diagnose queries and PHP issues

  • Health Check – Troubleshoot in safe mode

  • UpdraftPlus – Backup and restore

Conclusion: Mastering WordPress Fixes with Confidence

WordPress errors may seem intimidating at first, but with a little know-how and the right tools, you’ll be fixing issues like a pro. Remember to back up, stay calm, and take one step at a time. Every fix is a chance to better understand your website.

Author: ykw

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