How to Fix Common WordPress Errors (Step-by-Step Guide)

WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems, but users often face technical errors that can disrupt their website. In this guide, we’ll explore the most common WordPress errors and their solutions.

1. Internal Server Error (500 Error)

Causes:

• Corrupt .htaccess file
• Plugin or theme conflict
• Exhausted PHP memory limit

Solution:

1. Rename the .htaccess file via FTP (public_html → .htaccess → rename to .htaccess_old).
2. Deactivate all plugins and activate them one by one to find the culprit.
3. Increase PHP memory limit by adding the following code to wp-config.php:define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');

2. White Screen of Death (WSOD)

Causes:

• Plugin or theme conflict
• Exhausted memory limit
• Corrupt WordPress core files

Solution:

1. Increase the PHP memory limit as shown above.
2. Switch to the default WordPress theme (Twenty Twenty-Four) via phpMyAdmin or FTP.
3. Enable debugging by adding the following to wp-config.php:define('WP_DEBUG', true); define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);

3. Error Establishing a Database Connection

Causes:

• Incorrect database credentials
• Corrupt database
• Database server issues

Solution:

1. Check wp-config.php for correct database credentials:define('DB_NAME', 'your_database'); define('DB_USER', 'your_username'); define('DB_PASSWORD', 'your_password'); define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');
2. Repair the database by adding this to wp-config.php:define('WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true);Then visit: yourwebsite.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php.
3. Contact your hosting provider if the issue persists.

4. 404 Page Not Found Error

Causes:

• Broken permalink structure
• Deleted or missing content

Solution:

1. Go to Settings → Permalinks in WordPress dashboard and click Save Changes to refresh the structure.
2. Manually reset permalinks by adding this to .htaccess:RewriteEngine On RewriteBase / RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
3. Ensure the page or post exists.

5. WordPress Stuck in Maintenance Mode

Causes:

• Interrupted WordPress update
• Corrupt .maintenance file

Solution:

1. Delete the .maintenance file via FTP in the root directory.
2. If the issue persists, delete the upgrade folder (wp-content/upgrade).
3. Manually update WordPress if necessary.

Most WordPress errors can be resolved with basic troubleshooting. If issues persist, consider restoring a backup or reaching out to a professional WordPress support service like WPSupportX.com.

Stay tuned for more WordPress troubleshooting guides!