Fixing Common WordPress Errors
Staying Calm When Something Breaks
Most WordPress errors are common, well-documented, and fixable once you know where to look, even though they can look alarming at first.
Common Errors and Fixes
The White Screen of Death usually points to a plugin or theme conflict; deactivate plugins via FTP one by one to isolate it.
A 500 Internal Server Error often relates to a corrupted .htaccess file or exhausted memory limit, both fixable by regenerating the file or raising the PHP memory limit.
An "Error Establishing a Database Connection" message usually means incorrect database credentials in wp-config.php or a database server issue.
General Troubleshooting Steps
Enable WP_DEBUG in wp-config.php temporarily to reveal the specific error behind a generic message.
Always restore from a backup first if a fix doesn't work, rather than making further risky changes on a live site.
| Error | Common Cause | First Fix to Try |
|---|---|---|
| White Screen of Death | Plugin/theme conflict | Deactivate plugins via FTP |
| 500 Internal Server Error | Corrupted .htaccess or memory limit | Regenerate .htaccess / raise memory limit |
| Database Connection Error | Wrong DB credentials | Check wp-config.php details |
Many of these errors can be avoided altogether by staying on top of updates and knowing how to debug safely.
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