Simple Steps to Fix the White Screen Error in WordPress

The "White Screen of Death" is one of the most frustrating issues in WordPress. You visit your website and instead of seeing your content, all you get is a blank white screen. No error message, no warning—just nothing.

This issue can be caused by a number of reasons like plugin conflicts, exhausted memory, or a problem with your theme. The good news is that this problem can be fixed with a few simple steps. Let’s walk through them in the easiest way possible.

Step 1: Clear Your Browser and WordPress Cache

Sometimes the white screen issue might not be due to your website itself, but simply because of outdated cache data. Before digging deeper into your website files, try clearing your browser cache. You should also clear your WordPress cache using a caching plugin or from your hosting provider’s control panel if you use server-level caching.

After clearing the cache, reload your website. If the issue is gone, that was all you needed.

Step 2: Disable All Plugins

A common cause of the white screen is a faulty plugin. If one of your plugins crashes or conflicts with another, it can break the entire site.

Here’s what you can do:

Access your site’s files using FTP or your hosting file manager.
Go to the wp-content folder.
Rename the plugins folder to something like plugins_old.

This will deactivate all plugins. Now visit your site. If the site loads, you know the issue was caused by a plugin. Rename the folder back to plugins, then activate plugins one by one from your WordPress dashboard to find the faulty one.

Step 3: Switch to a Default Theme

Sometimes your active theme may have coding errors or conflicts that trigger the white screen. To check this, switch to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-One.

If you can’t access your dashboard:

Go to the wp-content/themes folder via FTP.
Rename your current theme’s folder.
WordPress will automatically fall back to a default theme if it’s available.

If the site works again, your theme is likely the problem. Contact your theme developer or consider switching to a more stable theme.

Step 4: Increase PHP Memory Limit

Another reason for the white screen is hitting the memory limit on your server. You can increase the PHP memory limit to solve this.

Here's how:

Open your wp-config.php file in the root directory.
Add this line before the line that says /* That’s all, stop editing! */:

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

This allows WordPress to use more memory. Save the file and reload your site.

If the issue goes away, memory was the problem. If it doesn’t, continue to the next step.

Step 5: Enable Debug Mode

When WordPress shows a white screen, it’s hiding the error that’s causing it. By enabling debug mode, you can see what’s actually wrong.

To enable debug mode:

Open your wp-config.php file.
Add or edit the following lines:

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

This will log all errors into a file named debug.log inside the wp-content folder. You can check this file to find out what is causing the issue.

Step 6: Check File Permissions

Incorrect file permissions can sometimes stop WordPress from loading correctly, resulting in a white screen. Make sure your files and folders have the correct permissions:

Files should be set to 644
Folders should be set to 755

You can change permissions using your hosting file manager or FTP client.

Step 7: Reinstall WordPress Core Files

If nothing else works, some of your core WordPress files might be corrupted. You can manually reinstall WordPress without affecting your content.

Here’s what to do:

Download the latest WordPress package from the official website.
Extract the files.
Delete the wp-content folder and wp-config.php file from the extracted folder (to protect your data).
Upload the rest of the files to your site’s root directory using FTP.

This will replace the corrupted files while keeping your content safe. Refresh your site and see if the problem is resolved.

When to Call for Help

If you’ve tried all these steps and the white screen still won’t go away, it’s time to seek help. Getting professional support ensures your site is fixed properly without causing any data loss.

For example, if you’re in Rajasthan and looking for expert help, there are services like WordPress Bug Fixing Services In Udaipur that specialize in resolving such issues quickly and safely. A local service can be especially helpful when you need fast and reliable fixes.

Why White Screen Errors Should Be Taken Seriously

While the white screen may seem like a minor issue, it can damage your reputation if left unresolved. If your visitors keep seeing a blank page, they’ll assume your website is broken or unsafe.

That’s why it's important to not just fix the issue, but also take steps to prevent it from happening again. Keeping your plugins updated, avoiding unreliable themes, and having a regular maintenance plan in place can help a lot.

What If the Problem Is Frequent?

If you keep facing the white screen problem again and again, it may be a sign of deeper technical issues. At that point, you might want to consider redesigning or rebuilding parts of your site for better performance and stability.

Agencies like Udaipur Web Designer, which is a trusted Web Design Company in Udaipur, often provide not just design but full WordPress maintenance and support. They can analyze recurring issues and offer long-term solutions that make your site more reliable.

Conclusion

Fixing the WordPress white screen error might seem complicated, but with these simple steps, most people can handle it on their own. Start from basic checks like clearing cache and disabling plugins, then move to more advanced fixes if needed. And remember, if you feel stuck, it’s okay to ask for professional help.

Whether it’s a one-time issue or a frequent headache, solving it properly is crucial to keep your website running and your visitors happy.