WordPress is an amazing CMS that usually works well, without errors that cause problems such as taking your site down. However, it can happen that errors crop up. When an issue does arise, it can be extremely frustrating.
The good news is that most WordPress issues are caused by a fairly small problem. Most of these tend to be easy to manage if you understand the source of the problem. In that case, it’s pretty easy to do some research online to find a solution.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at several of the common issues that can creep up in WordPress. We’ll also provide solutions for each issue.
1). White Screen of Death (WSoD)
This is one of the most common problems with the platform. The WSoD causes your entire site to become white, with nothing on it. Not even error messages.
This is a problem that can develop for several different reasons. Most of the time, SWoD is a sign the site didn’t load properly for some reason. We’ve got some ways you can troubleshoot to find this problem and get it fixed.
- Disable plugins: this is usually caused by a faulty plugin. So, try to disable the site’s plugins and see if this fixes the issue. Hopefully you’ll now see the page load correctly, with everything viewable and no entirely white pages.
- Disable theme: because themes are sometimes responsible for this problem, try to use SFTP to replace it with one of the platform’s default themes.
- Activate the WordPress debug mode: this helps you review errors on each page. This way, you may have a better opportunity to find what’s causing the dreaded white screen.
- Purge cache: it’s possible the site’s caching solution could cause your browser to use outdated files. This could be true even if the WSoD was fixed. So, clear your cache and see if your view of the site returns to normal.
- Increase memory limit: it’s also possible that your site is running low on memory. So, raise the maximum limit by editing your php.ini file.
2). Parse Error/Syntax Error
This is an easy one to fix, most of the time. This error may creep up when there’s a problem with the code on your site. The issue is usually found in the functions.php file. Rather than loading your site’s page, you may receive a message that explains the error and where it happened.
To fix this problem, you’ll need to access the specific file using SFTP. You can use a free opensource tool for this fix. The one we recommend is FileZilla. Use the SFTP credentials by your hosting service, and then access the site’s backend.
From there, you’ll need to file the specific file. Check the “Parse error” message, where you’ll see exactly what the problem is. To fix this issue, find the line of coding and fix it. Then save the file and choose “Yes” when your FPT client asks if you’d like to replace the file on the server. Next, check your site and if it’s working.
3). 404 Error
This is one we’ve all seen, and it’s not pleasant. This error means the server wasn’t able to find the page you were looking for. This is most often caused by changed URLs and broken links. However, it may also appear even if the page exists and is available. How frustrating!
Most of the time, the cause is the htaccess file. This file could be redirection the site’s URLs incorrectly. The first thing you’ll need to do is create a new htaccess file.
If this doesn’t fix the issue, then it may be necessary to re-upload the file. Before you do this, it’s a great idea to create a new file and give it the .htaccess name. Then paste in the following code:
# BEGIN WordPress
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index.php$ – [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
</IfModule>
# END WordPress
This should allow you to upload the file to the root folder and should fix this 404 error.
4). Connection Timed Out Error
This is another frustrating error that most of us are familiar with. This issue is a sign the server is having problems loading the site and has given up.
The connection timed out error can be caused by several problems. This may indicate that your site doesn’t have enough resources to run, which is often the case with shared hosting. Another site on the same server could be using up your resources. It can also mean your site has gone over its maximum bandwidth.
So, you may want to upgrade your hosting plan, especially if you see this error on a regular basis. This can help diminish both downtime and slowdowns because your site will have the necessary resources to run correctly.
Another reason for this problem may be that your site is putting too much strain on the server. To fix this problem, consider optimising your site’s speed. Getting rid of plugins can help this, as well as increasing your PHP memory limit.
5). WordPress is Caught in Maintenance Mode
Maintenance mode can take down your site as it’s updated. This keeps users from using the site as it’s being updated. This could cause other problems.
Most of the time the update process is fast; however, it can happen the update may cancel before it was done, which means your site is stuck in maintenance mode.
Thankfully, this is an easy issue to fix. Just use the SFTP and access your site’s root folder. Then delete the file called .maintenance.
This is the file that was activated in maintenance mode. Deleting it will make your site revert back to normal. It’s always a good idea to retry the failed update since it wasn’t able to finish the process.
Summing It Up
It may take some time to find problems when they appear in WordPress. However, most issues are usually easy to fix.
Would you like assistance with your WordPress site? Then consider our managed hosting solution. We can take over the management of the site, so you don’t have to worry about fixing these types of issues. Reach out today! We’re looking forward to helping you find the WordPress solution your business needs.