Fixing Common WordPress Errors Like a Pro

WordPress is one of the most popular website-building platforms, but like any other software, it can have issues. If you own a website, you might have faced errors that can be frustrating. The good news is that most common WordPress errors can be fixed easily without much technical knowledge. In this guide, we will discuss some of the most frequent WordPress problems and how you can solve them like a pro.

1. White Screen of Death (WSOD)

The "White Screen of Death" is when your website shows a blank white screen without any error message. This can happen due to a faulty plugin, a theme issue, or exhausted memory.

How to Fix:

• Disable Plugins – Go to your hosting panel and access the file manager. Rename the "plugins" folder inside "wp-content" to "plugins_old" to disable all plugins. If the site works, then one of the plugins is causing the issue.
• Change the Theme – If the issue is with the theme, switch to the default WordPress theme by renaming the theme folder.
• Increase Memory Limit – Add the following code to your wp-config.php file to increase memory:

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

2. Error Establishing a Database Connection

This error happens when WordPress cannot connect to the database. It may be due to incorrect database login credentials, a corrupted database, or issues with the hosting server.

How to Fix:

• Check wp-config.php File – Ensure that the database name, username, and password are correct.
• Repair the Database – Add this line to wp-config.php:

  define('WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true);
  

  Then visit: yourwebsite.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php and follow the instructions.
• Contact Hosting Support – If the issue persists, ask your hosting provider for assistance.

3. 404 Page Not Found Error

This error occurs when a page or post URL is not found. It is usually caused by broken links or incorrect permalink settings.

How to Fix:

• Reset Permalinks – Go to Settings > Permalinks in the WordPress dashboard and click “Save Changes” without making any modifications.
• Check .htaccess File – If resetting permalinks doesn’t work, edit the .htaccess file and add the following:

  RewriteEngine On
  RewriteBase /
  RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
  RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
  RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
  RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
  

4. Internal Server Error (500 Error)

The 500 Internal Server Error is a generic error that can be caused by various issues, including corrupted files, plugin conflicts, or PHP memory limitations.

How to Fix:

• Rename the .htaccess File – Access your website’s root folder and rename .htaccess to .htaccess_old, then try reloading the site.
• Increase PHP Memory Limit – Just like with the White Screen of Death, increasing memory in wp-config.php can resolve this.
• Reinstall WordPress Core Files – Download a fresh copy of WordPress and replace the core files except for wp-content and wp-config.php.

5. Connection Timed Out Error

This error usually occurs due to an overloaded server or scripts taking too long to execute.

How to Fix:

• Disable Plugins and Themes – A heavy plugin or theme could be slowing down the site. Try disabling them one by one.
• Increase PHP Execution Time – Add this line to your .htaccess file:

  php_value max_execution_time 300
  

• Upgrade Hosting Plan – If your website is growing, consider upgrading your hosting plan for better resources.

6. WordPress Not Sending Emails

Many WordPress users complain that their contact form or notification emails do not work. This is often due to server misconfiguration or spam filters.

How to Fix:

• Use an SMTP Plugin – Install a plugin like WP Mail SMTP and configure it with an email service like Gmail or SendGrid.
• Check Spam Folder – Sometimes, emails are sent but land in the recipient’s spam folder.
• Verify Hosting Email Settings – Contact your hosting provider to ensure email sending is allowed.

7. Images Not Uploading in WordPress

If you are unable to upload images, or they appear broken, the issue may be related to file permissions or an incorrect file path.

How to Fix:

• Check File Permissions – Use an FTP client and navigate to the "wp-content/uploads" folder. Set permissions to 755 for folders and 644 for files.
• Regenerate Thumbnails – Install the "Regenerate Thumbnails" plugin to fix broken images.
• Disable Plugins – A plugin conflict might be preventing images from uploading. Try disabling them.

8. Too Many Redirects Error

This happens when your site gets stuck in a redirect loop, usually due to incorrect URL settings.

How to Fix:

• Check WordPress URL Settings – Go to Settings > General and ensure that both "WordPress Address (URL)" and "Site Address (URL)" match.
• Disable Cache Plugins – Sometimes, caching plugins cause redirect issues. Try disabling them and clearing the cache.
• Modify .htaccess File – Remove any unnecessary redirect rules in .htaccess.

9. Broken WordPress Dashboard

Sometimes, the WordPress admin panel may appear broken, showing missing styles or incorrect layouts.

How to Fix:

• Clear Browser Cache – Sometimes, a simple browser cache clear can resolve the issue.
• Disable Plugins – A faulty plugin could be interfering with the admin panel.
• Reinstall WordPress – If nothing works, try reinstalling WordPress core files.

10. Stuck in Maintenance Mode

If your WordPress website gets stuck in maintenance mode after an update, it is usually because the .maintenance file was not removed properly.

How to Fix:

• Delete the .maintenance File – Use an FTP client or file manager to delete the .maintenance file from your root folder.
• Increase PHP Memory Limit – Sometimes, updates fail due to memory exhaustion. Increasing the limit can help.

Conclusion

Fixing WordPress errors might seem challenging, but most issues can be resolved with simple solutions. By following these steps, you can handle common problems like a pro. If you're looking for expert help with your website, consider hiring a WordPress Development Company In Udaipur. They have the expertise to fix errors quickly and optimize your site for the best performance.

If you need a professional team for web design and development, Udaipur Web Designer offers top-notch services. Whether you need a complete website build or just troubleshooting support, they can help you keep your WordPress site running smoothly.

For businesses looking to create an impressive website, working with a Web Design Company In Udaipur can make all the difference. From fixing technical issues to designing user-friendly layouts, they ensure your website remains functional and visually appealing.

By following these troubleshooting steps and seeking expert help when needed, you can keep your WordPress site running without hassle. Happy website management!