Introduction
WordPress can be counted among the most widely used content management systems that serve more than millions of websites throughout the globe. It is a highly flexible and user-friendly platform especially but nonetheless it's notorious for common WordPress issues that can consequently lead to poor website performance, low security, or functioning failure. Be it a newbie or a pro-user, eternity can feel so long as they stand in the middle of a WordPress blunder, but actually, most of the problems have obvious remedies.
Whether it is a website crash, plugin conflicts, or theme compatibility issues, constantly learning and understanding WordPress errors and being able to troubleshoot them efficiently are the most crucial factors in having a perfect website. Problems like the white screen of death, internal server errors, and database connection problems are of those website owners that are the most frequently encountered. By the way, with the best approach, it is possible to quickly find those faults and fix them.
Aster Themes are offering SEO Friendly WordPress themes that will not just be the reason that your site looks good but will also make it bug-free. Even so, when errors do occur, knowing the right method of diagnosing them and solving them will definitely keep your website functioning smoothly. In the course of our discussion, we shall look into some of the most typical WordPress errors and afterward give a step-by-step guide to help you resolve them effortlessly.
25 Common WordPress Issues & Their Resolution:
Managing a WordPress website comes with its challenges, and encountering errors is common. Below is a detailed explanation of some of the most frequent common WordPress issues, their causes, and how to resolve them effectively.
1. White Screen of Death (WSOD)
Issue: Your website loads as a blank white screen with no error messages.
Cause:
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PHP or database issues.
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Plugin or theme conflicts.
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Missing theme directory.
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The browser cannot locate the required page.
Solution:
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Disable all plugins via FTP and reactivate them one by one.
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Switch to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Four to check for theme-related issues.
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Increase the PHP memory limit in wp-config.php
define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
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If you recently modified or renamed a directory, update the references accordingly.
2. Internal Server Error (500 Error)
Issue: The server encounters an unexpected condition, causing the website to crash.
Cause:
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Server misconfiguration.
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Corrupt .htaccess file.
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Plugin or theme issues.
Solution:
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Rename the .htaccess file to .htaccess_old and regenerate it by saving Permalink Settings in WordPress.
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Increase the PHP memory limit as shown above.
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Debug the issue by enabling WordPress debug mode in wp-config.php:
define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
3. Error Establishing a Database Connection
Issue: WordPress cannot connect to the database.
Cause:
-
Incorrect database credentials in wp-config.php.
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Corrupt database tables.
Solution:
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Verify database details in wp-config.php:
define('DB_NAME', 'your_database_name');
define('DB_USER', 'your_database_user');
define('DB_PASSWORD', 'your_database_password');
define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');
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If the issue persists, repair the database by adding this line to wp-config.php:
define('WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true);
4. Auto Upgradation Failed
Issue: WordPress auto-update does not complete successfully.
Cause:
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Modifications to WordPress core files.
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Poor internet connection.
Solution:
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Manually update WordPress via FTP by downloading the latest version and replacing core files.
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Ensure your internet connection is stable before attempting an update.
5. Connection Timed Out
Issue: Website fails to load due to long server response times.
Cause:
-
Slow internet speed.
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Server memory limit exceeded.
Solution:
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Increase PHP memory in wp-config.php (as shown earlier).
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Deactivate all plugins and reactivate them one by one to identify the culprit.
6. Maintenance Mode Error
Issue: The site gets stuck in maintenance mode after an update.
Solution:
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Delete the .maintenance file from the root directory via FTP.
7. Changes Not Reflecting
Issue: After making modifications, the website doesn’t display the updates.
Cause:
-
Browser cache.
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Incorrect file modifications.
Solution:
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Clear browser cache and try again.
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Verify that you edited the correct file.
8. Sidebar Displaced from Its Actual Location
Issue: Sidebar shifts out of place after modifying theme files.
Cause:
-
Incorrect HTML structure.
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Missing or extra <div> tags.
Solution:
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Validate your HTML structure and fix any missing elements.
9. Syntax Error
Issue: WordPress displays a syntax error pointing to a specific line in a PHP file.
Cause:
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Missing or extra characters in the code.
Solution:
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Locate the error in the specified file and correct syntax mistakes.
10. Unexpected Error
Issue: Syntax errors related to missing or misplaced =, (, ), or incorrect if-else statements.
Solution:
-
Debug the file manually and fix the syntax.
11. Undefined Error
Issue: A variable is used without being defined.
Solution:
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Declare the variable before using it.
12. 404 Error
Issue: Certain pages show a "404 Not Found" error.
Solution:
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Reset permalinks by navigating to Settings > Permalinks and clicking Save Changes.
13. Memory Exhausted Error
Issue: WordPress runs out of allocated memory.
Solution:
-
Increase PHP memory limit in wp-config.php (as shown earlier).
14. Database CREATE Command Error
Issue: The database does not allow a user to create tables.
Solution:
-
Assign the correct database privileges to the user.
15. Unknown Column Error
Issue: An SQL query references a column that doesn’t exist.
Solution:
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Check the column names and ensure they match the database schema.
16. Error 28
Issue: Server cache is full.
Solution:
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Clear the /tmp folder or contact your web host for assistance.
17. Error 145
Issue: Corrupted database tables.
Solution:
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Repair the database using phpMyAdmin.
18. Unable to Login to Admin Panel
Issue: You cannot access the WordPress dashboard.
Cause:
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Database corruption.
-
Website hacked.
Solution:
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Reset your password via phpMyAdmin.
19. Image Display Error
Issue: Uploaded images appear broken.
Solution:
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Check the image path and ensure correct file permissions (755).
20. Email Issue
Issue: Emails from WordPress (such as contact form submissions) are not received.
Solution:
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Use an SMTP plugin like WP Mail SMTP to fix email sending issues.
21. 403 Forbidden Error
Issue: Access to a webpage is denied.
Cause:
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Incorrect file permissions.
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Badly coded plugin or theme.
Solution:
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Change file permissions to 644 and folder permissions to 755.
22. Redirect Loop
Issue: The browser gets stuck in an endless redirection cycle.
Cause:
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Misconfigured URLs.
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SEO plugin conflicts.
Solution:
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Disable SEO plugins and check your .htaccess file for redirection rules.
23. Web Host Error
Issue: The site fails to load due to a hosting issue.
Solution:
-
Contact your hosting provider to check server status.
24. RSS Feed Error
Issue: RSS feeds are not displaying correctly.
Solution:
-
Ensure XML formatting is correct.
25. Failed Uploading Error
Issue: Unable to upload files.
Cause:
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Insufficient user permissions.
Solution:
-
Request the web host to change file permissions to 777.
Conclusion:
Effectively managing a WordPress website can be a perfect experience when everything works as it should. At the same time, however, the appearance of common WordPress issues is a thing that can not be avoided, especially for the owners and developers of websites who work with different themes, plugins, and custom modifications. These errors can be anything from minor inconveniences such as the displacement of the sidebar and the occurrence of errors when trying to upload an image to more serious problems such as connection problems of the database, server internal errors, and the notorious so-called White Screen of Death (WSOD).
The wonderful news is that the majority of WordPress errors have well-documented solutions which let users implement them quickly. Discovering the reasons behind—whether it's the server misconfiguration, the broken file, the theme or plugin incompatibility, or the database error aids in the diagnosis and clearance of these issues effectively. Simple techniques like making the plugins inactive, switching the themes, memory limit increases, cache clearing, permalinks resetting, or editing the .htaccess file can frequently solve complex problems without having to acquire expert knowledge. If a problem is more complex, things such as the phpMyAdmin tool, FTP access, and the debugging mode can be utilized to locate bugs and repair them at a deeper level.
Just as solving problems is important, so is the prevention of them. Upgrading not only WordPress but also themes and plugins to the most recent versions guarantees compatibility and security and thus the probability of errors due to outdated code decreases. Doing backups of your website at regular intervals ensures that even if a fatal error occurs, you can still bring your page back to its previous state very quickly without losing data. Furthermore, utilizing top-notch, well-programmed WordPress themes, as for instance the ones that are provided by Aster Themes, can great extent the frequency of errors caused by bad coding or compatibility issues.
At Aster Themes, we prioritize reliability, performance, and security in our premium WordPress themes, ensuring that website owners experience minimal technical difficulties. Whether you're managing a blog, business website, or eCommerce store, choosing a well-optimized theme can save you time and frustration by reducing the likelihood of these common WordPress errors.
By staying informed and proactive in handling WordPress errors, you can ensure a stable, high-performing, and user-friendly website. Whether diagnosing or avoiding errors is the task, sticking to the right rules and obtaining good tools, will improve your WordPress journey. In case you want the best WordPress themes, the ones that have no bugs or are even speed optimized, then check out the premium collection at Aster Themes and build your website with assurance!