How to Fix WordPress Errors-White Screen, 500 Error & More

WordPress powers over 40% of the web, making it one of the most popular content management systems. However, with great popularity comes a fair share of common errors that can disrupt your website. Whether it’s the dreaded White Screen of Death (WSOD), the frustrating 500 Internal Server Error, or database connection issues, these problems can halt your website’s functionality and affect user experience. Fortunately, most WordPress errors are fixable with a systematic approach. Let’s explore the most common issues and how to resolve them effectively.

Common WordPress Errors & Their Fixes

1. White Screen of Death (WSOD)

Possible Causes:

Plugin or theme conflict

Memory limit exhaustion

Corrupt WordPress core files

Solutions:

Disable plugins: Access your server via FTP, navigate to /wp-content/plugins/, and rename the plugins folder to deactivate all plugins.

Switch to a default theme: Rename the active theme folder in /wp-content/themes/ to force WordPress to use a default theme.

Increase memory limit: Edit the wp-config.php file and add:
define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');

2. 500 Internal Server Error

Possible Causes:

Corrupt .htaccess file

Faulty plugin or theme

Insufficient server resources

Solutions:

Check .htaccess file: Rename .htaccess to .htaccess_old and reload the site. If it works, go to Settings > Permalinks and save to generate a new .htaccess file.

Increase PHP memory limit: Similar to WSOD, modify wp-config.php.

Enable debug mode: Edit wp-config.php and add:
define('WP_DEBUG', true);

define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);

define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);
This logs errors to wp-content/debug.log, making it easier to diagnose issues.

3. Error Establishing a Database Connection

Possible Causes:

Incorrect database credentials

Corrupt database

Overloaded database server

Solutions:

Verify database credentials: Check wp-config.php for correct database name, username, password, and host.

Repair database: Add this line to wp-config.php:
define('WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true);
Then visit yoursite.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php.

Restart database server: If using a cloud-based hosting, restarting MySQL from the control panel may help.

4. 404 Page Not Found Error

Possible Causes:

Broken permalinks

Deleted or moved pages

Solutions:

Reset permalinks: Go to Settings > Permalinks and click “Save Changes.”

Check .htaccess file: Ensure the file contains:
RewriteEngine On

RewriteBase /

RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]

RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f

RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d

RewriteRule . /index.php [L]

Conclusion

Troubleshooting WordPress errors can be frustrating, but a methodical approach can help you quickly diagnose and resolve most issues. From checking server configurations and database settings to debugging plugins and themes, each problem has a fix. If all else fails, contacting your hosting provider for assistance is a reliable last resort. With the right troubleshooting techniques, you can ensure that your WordPress site runs smoothly and efficiently.