WordPress Troubleshooting Guide

Error Establishing Database Connection

This is one of the most common WordPress errors. It occurs when WordPress cannot connect to your database.

Solutions:

1. Check your database credentials in wp-config.php
2. Verify your database server is running
3. Check if your database was corrupted or deleted
4. Contact your hosting provider if the issue persists

White Screen of Death (WSOD)

Your site shows a blank white page, often due to PHP errors or memory issues.

Solutions:

1. Increase PHP memory limit in wp-config.php: define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
2. Disable all plugins temporarily to identify conflicts
3. Switch to a default theme (Twenty Twenty-Four)
4. Check for syntax errors in custom code
5. Enable WordPress debugging in wp-config.php

404 Errors on Pages/Posts

Pages and posts return 404 errors even though they exist in the admin.

Solutions:

1. Go to Settings → Permalinks and click "Save Changes" to flush rewrite rules
2. Check if your .htaccess file exists and has correct permissions
3. Verify your server supports mod_rewrite (Apache) or has proper URL rewriting configured

Internal Server Error (500)

The server encountered an unexpected condition that prevented it from fulfilling the request.

Solutions:

1. Check .htaccess file for corrupted rewrite rules
2. Increase PHP limits (memory, execution time)
3. Check file permissions (should be 644 for files, 755 for directories)
4. Disable plugins and themes one by one
5. Check server error logs

Slow Loading Times

Your WordPress site is loading slowly, affecting user experience and SEO.

Optimization Steps:

1. Enable Caching: Use plugins like WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache, or WP Super Cache
2. Optimize Images: Use Smush, ShortPixel, or EWWW Image Optimizer
3. Minify Assets: Combine and compress CSS, JavaScript, and HTML
4. Use a CDN: Cloudflare, MaxCDN, or Amazon CloudFront
5. Database Optimization: Clean up post revisions, spam comments, and transients
6. Choose Fast Hosting: Consider managed WordPress hosting

High Memory Usage

WordPress is consuming too much server memory, causing crashes or slow performance.

Solutions:

• Increase PHP memory limit in wp-config.php
• Deactivate memory-intensive plugins
• Use a lighter theme
• Optimize database queries
• Consider upgrading your hosting plan

Hacked Website

Your WordPress site has been compromised by malware or hackers.

Immediate Actions:

1. Change all passwords - WordPress admin, FTP, hosting control panel, database
2. Scan for malware - Use tools like Sucuri, Wordfence, or MalCare
3. Update everything - WordPress core, themes, and plugins
4. Remove suspicious files - Check for backdoors and malicious code
5. Restore from clean backup if necessary
6. Change security keys in wp-config.php

Brute Force Attacks

Automated attempts to guess your login credentials.

Prevention:

• Use strong, unique passwords
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
• Limit login attempts with plugins like Login LockDown
• Use security plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri
• Change default admin username
• Disable XML-RPC if not needed

Corrupted Database

Database tables are damaged or contain errors.

Repair Steps:

1. Add define('WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true); to wp-config.php
2. Visit yoursite.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php
3. Click "Repair Database" or "Repair and Optimize Database"
4. Remove the repair code from wp-config.php after repair

Database Connection Issues

WordPress cannot connect to the MySQL database.

Troubleshooting:

• Verify database credentials in wp-config.php
• Check if MySQL server is running
• Ensure database user has proper permissions
• Check for database server overload
• Verify database host is correct