20 Common WordPress Errors , WordPress errors can be a real headache, especially when they pop up unexpectedly. While WordPress is known for being reliable, occasional issues do occur,if you are not sure about how to fix them.
Don’t worry, though Most errors are caused by simple issues that are easy to resolve. With a little basic troubleshootin you can get your site back up and running in no time.
In this detailed article, we will guide you through some of the most common WordPress errors and show you how to fix them step-by-step. If you do not see your specific error, you can always check out WordPress official support for more solutions.
WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems (CMS) used by millions of websites across the world. However, knowing how to identify and fix these common errors can save you a lot of time and frustration.
Now we will explore 20 common WordPress errors that users face and how to fix them.
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Table of Errors and their Solutions
| Error No. | WordPress Error | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | White Screen of Death | Disable plugins and switch to default theme |
| 2 | 404 Not Found | Reset permalinks |
| 3 | Internal Server Error | Increase PHP memory limit |
| 4 | Error Establishing Database Connection | Check wp-config.php and database settings |
| 5 | Connection Timed Out | Deactivate plugins or check server resources |
| 6 | Memory Exhausted Error | Increase PHP memory limit |
| 7 | Image Upload Issues | Check file permissions or increase file size |
| 8 | WordPress Login Page Redirect Loop | Clear cookies, cache, and reset login URL |
| 9 | 403 Forbidden Error | Check file and folder permissions |
| 10 | Theme or Plugin Conflict | Disable plugins or switch themes |
| 11 | Database Error | Repair or optimize database |
| 12 | Too Many Redirects Error | Check for conflicts in URLs or cache |
| 13 | WordPress White Screen of Death (WSOD) | Deactivate all plugins and check PHP version |
| 14 | Posts or Pages Not Publishing | Check publishing settings and user permissions |
| 15 | Email Delivery Problems | Set up SMTP server settings |
| 16 | WordPress Admin Dashboard Not Loading | Deactivate conflicting plugins |
| 17 | Content or Theme Layout Not Showing Correctly | Clear cache and check CSS/JS files |
| 18 | WordPress Admin Access Denied | Reset passwords and user roles |
| 19 | Plugin Update Failed | Deactivate plugins or manually update them |
| 20 | Broken Links | Use link checker plugins |
1. White Screen of Death (WSOD)
This error is one of the most common, often caused by a plugin or theme conflict. When you see a blank screen with no error messages, it’s the infamous WSOD.
How to Fix It:
- Disable all plugins via FTP or the file manager.
- Try to use a default theme like Twenty Twenty One or any other theme.
- Check if the problem persists. If the issue is resolved, reactivate plugins and themes one by one to isolate the problem.
2. 404 Not Found Error
This mostly occurs when WordPress is not able find the page you are trying to access. It can occur due to incorrect permalink settings or a broken link.
How to Fix It:
- Go to Settings > Permalinks and Tap Save Changes. This resets the permalink structure.
- Check for broken links in your content and correct them.
3. Internal Server Error (500)
A 500 error occurs when something goes wrong with the server but doesn’t provide specific details. This could be due to PHP issues, plugin conflicts, or server misconfigurations.
How to Fix It:
- Increase the PHP memory limit by adding the line written below to the
wp-config.phpfile:
define( 'WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M' );- After this Deactivate all the installed plugins and switch the theme to default.
4. Error Establishing Database Connection
This error is usually caused by incorrect database settings or a problem with the database server.
How to Fix It:
- Make sure the
wp config.phpfile for the correct database username, password, and host details. - Check if your database server is online.
5. Connection Timed Out
This error occurs when the server takes too long to respond to a request, often due to a plugin overload or limited server resources.
How to Fix It:
- Deactivate all plugins once then reactivate all of them one by one to check isn’t facing error due to plugin clash.
- Contact your hosting provider to check server resource limits.
6. Memory Exhausted Error
This error means WordPress has run out of memory to execute a task, often due to resource-heavy plugins or themes.
How to Fix It:
- Increase PHP memory by adding the following line to
wp-config.php:
define( 'WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M' );7. Image Upload Issues
You might encounter issues uploading images, often due to file permission errors or file size restrictions.
How to Fix It:
- Ensure the wp-content/uploads folder has the correct file permissions (755).
- Check the server’s file size limit and increase it if necessary.
8. WordPress Login Page Redirect Loop
This error occurs when you are unable to log in to your WordPress dashboard due to a continuous redirect loop.
How to Fix It:
- Clear your browser cache and cookies.
- Reset your login URL or check the
wp-config.phpfile for URL errors.
9. 403 Forbidden Error
A 403 error indicates that you don’t have permission to access the page or resource.
How to Fix It:
- Check your file and folder permissions (755 for directories, 644 for files).
- Review any security plugins or server settings that may be blocking access.
10. Theme or Plugin Conflict
Sometimes, a plugin or theme can conflict with another, causing your site to break or display errors.
How to Fix It:
- Deactivate plugins firstly, then deactivate your current theme try to check deafult theme.
- Reactivate plugins one by one to identify which plugin is displaying the eroor.
11. Database Error
Database errors can occur if your database is corrupted or has other issues.
How to Fix It:
- Use the phpMyAdmin tool to repair or optimize your database.
- You can also add the following line to
wp-config.phpto enable database repair:
define( 'WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true );12. Too Many Redirects
This error happens when your browser gets stuck in a loop of redirects between URLs.
How to Fix It:
- Clear your browser cache.
- Check for URL conflicts in the General Settings of your WordPress Panel.
13. White Screen of Death (WSOD) Revisited
Sometimes, issues like plugin overload or PHP version incompatibility can cause the white screen to reappear.
How to Fix It:
- Deactivate all plugins and reactivate them.
- Check your PHP version and ensure it is compatible with your WordPress version.
14. Posts or Pages Not Publishing
If you find that posts or pages are not publishing, it could be a permissions or settings issue.
How to Fix It:
- Check user permissions and roles.
- Review the Publishing Settings to ensure everything is configured correctly.
15. Email Delivery Problems
WordPress sometimes fails to send emails, such as registration or password reset emails, due to misconfigured email settings.
How to Fix It:
- Set up an SMTP plugin like WP Mail SMTP to configure outgoing emails.
- Check the email settings of your hosting provider.
16. WordPress Admin Dashboard Not Loading
When the WordPress admin dashboard doesn’t load properly, it could be due to plugin or server issues.
How to Fix It:
- Deactivate plugins via FTP or the file manager.
- Check your browser’s developer console for errors.
17. Content or Theme Layout Not Showing Correctly
Sometimes the content or layout might not display properly due to cache or CSS issues.
How to Fix It:
- Clear your site and browser cache.
- Check for errors in your CSS and JS files.
18. WordPress Admin Access Denied
You might be denied access to the WordPress admin due to incorrect login credentials or user permissions.
How to Fix It:
- Reset your current wordpress password from the login page.
- Make sure that your user role has the correct permissions.
19. Plugin Update Failed
Plugin updates can fail for various reasons, like server limitations or conflicts with other plugins.
How to Fix It:
- Deactivate all plugins and update them.
- If the update fails, manually update the plugin via FTP.
20. Broken Links
Broken links can negatively affect SEO and user experience.
How to Fix It:
- Use a broken link checker plugin to find and fix any broken links of your site.
Conclusion
WordPress errors can be frustrating sometimes , but most are easy to fix with a little troubleshooting. This guide covered simple solutions to common issues, helping you keep your site running smoothly. Stay calm, follow the steps mentioned in the detailed guide.
FAQS About 20 Common WordPress Errors and Their Solutions
1. Why is my WordPress site showing a blank screen (White Screen of Death)?
The White Screen of Death (WSOD) can be frustrating because there’s no error message, just a blank page. This is mostly caused due to conflict with a plugin or theme. To fix it, you can start by deactivating all plugins and switching to the default theme. Then, reactivate each plugin one by one to find out the one causing the issue for you.
2. How can I fix the Error Establishing Database Connection in WordPress?
When you see the “Error Establishing Database Connection” message, it usually means there’s an issue with your database settings. Check your wp-config.php file to make sure the database name, username, password, and host are correct. If everything looks good, you may need to contact your hosting provider to make sure the database server is running properly.
3. What should I do if I see a 404 error on my WordPress site?
A 404 error means the page you’re trying to view can’t be found. This usually happens due to a problem with the URL structure. To fix it, go to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard and click Save Changes. This will reset the permalink structure and should resolve the issue.
4. How can I solve the problem of broken links on my WordPress site?
Broken links often can hurt your site seo and user experience. To find and fix them, you can use common plugin “Broken Link Checker” to find your site for any broken links. Once identified, you can either fix the links or remove them to improve your site’s performance and user satisfaction.
5. My WordPress site is not loading what can I do?
If your WordPress site isn’t loading, it could be due to a server or plugin issue. Try deactivating all your plugins via FTP or the file manager, then check if the site loads. If it does, reactivate your plugins one by one to find the one causing the problem. Additionally, make sure your PHP memory limit is sufficient by increasing it in your wp-config.php file.
