How to Fix WordPress Errors – Step-by-Step Guide

Key highlights

• Identify common WordPress errors.
• Understand their causes.
• Step-by-step fixes.
• Troubleshooting checklist.
• When to seek expert assistance with Bluehost support.

Introduction 

WordPress is a powerful platform, but like any software, it’s not immune to errors. From the dreaded White Screen of Death to frustrating login issues, WordPress errors can disrupt your website and leave you scrambling for a fix. 

The good news? Most errors have straightforward solutions. Whether it’s a database error, a plugin conflict or a memory issue, this guide provides step-by-step fixes for common WordPress problems. 

Let’s dive in and get your site back up and running smoothly! 

Most common WordPress errors (with fixes) 

Common WordPress issues—ranging from database errors to plugin conflicts—can disrupt your site and frustrate users.

The good news? Most errors have simple fixes.

Below, we’ll cover the most common WordPress errors, their causes and solutions to get your site back on track.

1. White Screen of Death (WSOD) 

Problem: Your website loads as a blank white screen with no error message, making it difficult to diagnose. Visitors can’t access your site and even the admin panel may be inaccessible. This can be frustrating since no specific error code is displayed. 

Cause: This issue is usually caused by a plugin conflict, a faulty theme or PHP memory limit exhaustion. 

Solution: 

• Increase the PHP memory limit by adding define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’); to wp-config.php. 
• Disable all plugins via FTP by renaming the plugins folder. 
• Switch to a default theme (like Twenty Twenty-Four) by renaming the active theme folder. 
• Enable WordPress debug mode by adding define(‘WP_DEBUG’, true); to wp-config.php to see error details. 

2. Internal server error (500 Error) 

Problem: Your site fails to load and displays a 500 Internal Server Error message. This is a generic error that doesn’t provide any details, making it difficult to troubleshoot. It can affect both the front end and the WordPress admin panel. 

Cause: A corrupted .htaccess file, a plugin conflict or PHP memory exhaustion can trigger this error. 

Solution: 

• Rename the .htaccess file via FTP to htaccess_old and refresh your site. 
• Increase the PHP memory limit in wp-config.php. 
• Deactivate all plugins to check for conflicts. 
• Reinstall core WordPress files by uploading fresh copies via FTP. 

3. Error establishing database connection 

Problem: Your website cannot connect to the WordPress database, preventing it from loading. Instead, a plain error message appears, making the site inaccessible to visitors. The admin panel may also be affected. 

Cause: This error occurs due to incorrect database credentials, a corrupted database or a server issue. 

Solution: 

• Check wp-config.php and ensure database credentials (DB_NAME, DB_USER, DB_PASSWORD, DB_HOST) are correct. 
• Use phpMyAdmin to repair the database by selecting it and clicking “Repair.” 
• Contact your web hosting provider to check if the database server is down. 

Also read: How to Fix the Error Establishing a Database Connection in WordPress 

4. 404 not found error 

Problem: Certain pages on your site display a “404 Not Found” error while the homepage or other sections work fine. This prevents users from accessing specific content. 

Cause: This usually happens due to broken permalinks, deleted content or an incorrect .htaccess file. 

Solution: 

• Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Permalinks’ and click ‘Save Changes’ to regenerate permalinks. 
• Manually update the .htaccess file by adding default WordPress rewrite rules. 
• Check if the missing page exists and restore it if necessary.

Read more: Everything You Need to Know about 404 Errors – Bluehost Blog 

5. Connection timed out 

Problem: Your website takes too long to load and eventually fails with a timeout error. This makes your site temporarily inaccessible and can frustrate visitors. 

Cause: This usually occurs when your server is overloaded due to high traffic, resource-heavy plugins or inefficient scripts. 

Solution: 

• Deactivate heavy plugins, especially caching and security plugins. 
• Increase the PHP memory limit in wp-config.php. 
• Optimize your database using a plugin like WP-Optimize. 
• Upgrade your hosting plan if your site has high traffic. 

Read more: How to Fix cURL Error 28: Connection Timed Out in WordPress 

6. Maintenance mode following upgrade 

Problem: Your site gets stuck in maintenance mode after a WordPress update. Visitors see a message saying “Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance.” 

Cause: This happens when the update process is interrupted, leaving the site in maintenance mode. 

Solution: 

• Access your site’s root directory via FTP and delete the .maintenance file. 
• If the update was incomplete, manually update WordPress by downloading and replacing core files. 

7. Syntax error 

Problem: Your site fails to load and instead shows a PHP WordPress syntax error message. This typically happens after adding custom code to a WordPress theme or plugin file. 

Cause: A syntax mistake, such as a missing semicolon or incorrect function usage, in a PHP file. 

Solution: 

• Use FTP to access the file mentioned in the error message. 
• Remove or correct the faulty code using a text editor. 
• Test the code in a PHP validator before adding it back to WordPress. 

8. Failed auto-upgrade 

Problem: A WordPress core, theme or plugin update fails, leaving the site in an incomplete state. This may result in a broken website or an unresponsive dashboard. 

Cause: File permission issues, low memory or server restrictions can prevent updates from completing. 

Solution: 

• Manually update WordPress by downloading the latest version and uploading the files via FTP. 
• Check and correct file permissions to ensure updates can proceed smoothly. 

9. Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance 

Problem: After running an update, your site remains stuck in maintenance mode instead of returning to normal. This prevents access to both the frontend and the admin panel. 

Cause: WordPress creates a .maintenance file during updates and if the update is interrupted, the file may not be deleted automatically. 

Solution: 

• Use FTP to delete the .maintenance file in your root directory. 
• If an update was incomplete, restart it to ensure all files are installed properly. 

10. RSS feed errors 

Problem: Your RSS feed doesn’t load correctly or displays XML errors. This can break feed readers and prevent syndication of your content. 

Cause: Incorrect formatting, extra spaces in PHP files or plugin conflicts can corrupt the RSS feed. 

Solution: 

• Check the functions.php file for extra spaces before <?php or after ?>. 
• Use an RSS validator to identify formatting issues. 
• Disable conflicting plugins and test the RSS feed again. 

Also read: Custom WordPress RSS: How to Customize Your RSS Feeds 

11. 403 forbidden error 

Problem: You try to access a page but receive a “403 Forbidden” error, preventing you from viewing the content. This may also block login access to your WordPress admin panel. 

Cause: Incorrect file permissions, a misconfigured security plugin or server settings can trigger this error. 

Solution: 

• Check and reset file permissions (Folders: 755, Files: 644) via FTP. 
• Temporarily disable security plugins to see if they’re causing the issue. 
• If hosted on Bluehost, check the .htaccess file for incorrect rules and reset it. 

Read more: How to Fix the 403 Forbidden Error in WordPress 

12. 429 too many requests error 

Problem: Your site displays a “429 Too Many Requests” error when it gets too many requests in a short period. This can slow down or temporarily block access to your site. 

Cause: A misconfigured security setting, excessive bot traffic or a faulty plugin can overload the server. 

Solution: 

• Limit login attempts using a security plugin like Wordfence. 
• Contact your hosting provider to whitelist your IP address. 
• Disable and test plugins one by one to find the culprit. 

13. 502 bad gateway error 

Problem: Your website becomes inaccessible and shows a 502 Bad Gateway error. This means your server received an invalid response from another server. 

Cause: High traffic, server misconfiguration or a CDN issue can trigger this error. 

Solution: 

• Clear your browser and website cache to rule out a temporary glitch. 
• Disable your CDN (if using Cloudflare) and check if the issue persists. 
• Contact your hosting provider to verify server stability. 

14. 503 service unavailable error 

Problem: Your site is temporarily down and displays a “503 Service Unavailable” message. This often happens during high traffic spikes or maintenance. 

Cause: Server overload, a faulty plugin or a temporary hosting issue may be responsible. 

Solution: 

• Deactivate all plugins via FTP and reactivate them one by one. 
• Increase PHP memory in wp-config.php if resource limits are an issue. 
• Upgrade your hosting plan if your site frequently experiences downtime. 

Read more: How to Fix WordPress 503 Errors and Restore Your Website 

15. 504 gateway timeout error 

Problem: Your website takes too long to load and eventually shows a 504 Gateway Timeout error. This happens when the server fails to communicate with an upstream server. 

Cause: Server overload, slow scripts or a misconfigured CDN can cause this error. 

Solution: 

• Restart your internet router to rule out a local issue. 
• Temporarily disable your CDN or firewall settings. 
• Contact your hosting provider to check server performance.

Read more: 504 Gateway Timeout Error: 8 Possible Fixes 

16. Mixed content error 

Problem: After enabling SSL, your site loads with a “Mixed Content” warning in the browser, indicating insecure elements. This can affect SEO and security. 

Cause: Some elements (images, scripts, stylesheets) are still being loaded over HTTP instead of HTTPS. 

Solution: 

• Use a plugin like Really Simple SSL to force HTTPS. 
• Manually update image URLs and links in your database via phpMyAdmin. 
• Enable HTTPS in ‘Settings’ > ‘General’ under ‘WordPress Address’ and ‘Site Address.’ 

17. Destination folder already exists error 

Problem: You try to install a plugin or theme, but WordPress says the destination folder already exists, preventing installation. 

Cause: A previous installation was incomplete or the folder wasn’t deleted properly. 

Solution: 

• Access your site via FTP and navigate to wp-content/plugins or wp-content/themes. 
• Delete the conflicting folder manually. 
• Reinstall the plugin or theme from the WordPress dashboard. 

18. Pluggable.php file errors 

Problem: After adding custom code or installing a new plugin, you see an error related to pluggable.php. 

Cause: A theme or plugin is trying to override core WordPress functions improperly. 

Solution: 

• Deactivate the most recently added plugin or theme. 
• Check functions.php for extra spaces or incorrect modifications. 
• Restore the original pluggable.php file by reinstalling WordPress core files. 

19. Memory exhausted error 

Problem: Your site crashes with a “Fatal Error: Allowed memory size exhausted” message. This prevents WordPress from running properly. 

Cause: Your site has exceeded the default PHP memory limit set by your hosting provider.

Solution: 

• Increase the memory limit by adding define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’); in wp-config.php. 
• Disable resource-heavy plugins and optimize your database. 
• Contact your hosting provider for a memory upgrade. 

20. Maximum execution time exceeded error 

Problem: WordPress fails to complete a request within the allowed execution time, resulting in an error. 

Cause: Scripts taking too long to run due to inefficient code or server restrictions. 

Solution: 

• Increase the execution time by adding max_execution_time = 300; in .htaccess. 
• Use a plugin like WP-Optimize to clean your database. 
• Contact your hosting provider to increase server execution limits. 

21. Upload: Failed to write file to disk error 

Problem: You cannot upload images or files to your WordPress media library. 

Cause: Incorrect file permissions or a full server storage quota can cause this error. 

Solution: 

• Set correct file permissions (755 for folders, 644 for files) via FTP. 
• Check your hosting storage limit and free up space if needed. 
• Contact your host if the problem persists. 

22. Image upload issues 

Problem: You try to upload images, but they fail, appear broken or do not display correctly. 

Cause: File permission issues, incorrect file format or a PHP memory limit problem. 

Solution: 

• Ensure file permissions are set correctly (755 for folders, 644 for images). 
• Convert images to a different format (JPEG, PNG) and re-upload. 
• Increase PHP memory limit in wp-config.php. 

23. Missing a temporary folder error 

Problem: WordPress cannot find a temporary folder, preventing media uploads and updates. 

Cause: A missing or misconfigured tmp folder in your server settings. 

Solution: 

• Add the following to wp-config.php:  

php 

define('WP_TEMP_DIR', dirname(__FILE__) . '/wp-content/temp/'); 
 

• Create a temp folder inside wp-content via FTP. 
• Contact your hosting provider if the issue persists. 

24. Common SSL issues 

Problem: After installing an SSL certificate, your website may not load securely, showing warnings like “Not Secure” in browsers. Some pages may break, or users may see an SSL-related error. 

Cause: Incorrect SSL settings, mixed content issues or an expired SSL certificate can trigger this problem. 

Solution: 

• Install and activate a plugin like Really Simple SSL to force HTTPS. 
• Update all URLs in ‘Settings’ > ‘General’ to use HTTPS instead of HTTP. 
• Renew your SSL certificate if it has expired. 

Also read: What You Need to Know About SSL Certificates 

25. Too many redirects issue 

Problem: Your site enters a redirection loop, preventing users from accessing it. Instead of loading normally, it continuously redirects between URLs until it fails. 

Cause: Misconfigured redirect settings, conflicting plugins or incorrect WordPress and site URLs. 

Solution: 

• Check ‘Settings’ > ‘General’ and ensure both ‘WordPress Address’ and ‘Site Address’ use the same URL format (with or without “www”). 
• Delete .htaccess and let WordPress regenerate it by saving permalinks again. 
• Disable redirect plugins to rule out conflicts. 

Read more: How to Fix ‘Too Many Redirects’ Error in WordPress 

26. Locked out of WordPress admin 

Problem: You are unable to log in to your WordPress dashboard, either due to an error or a security block. 

Cause: Forgotten password, a security plugin restriction or a database issue. 

Solution: 

• Reset your password using phpMyAdmin by modifying the wp_users table. 
• Disable security plugins via FTP if they are blocking access. 
• Restore admin access by creating a new user in the database. 

27. WordPress login page refreshing and redirecting issue 

Problem: When you try to log in, the page refreshes instead of granting access, keeping you stuck on the login screen. 

Cause: Corrupt cookies, incorrect site URLs or a plugin conflict. 

Solution: 

• Clear browser cookies and cache, then try logging in again. 
• Update ‘WordPress Address’ and ‘Site Address’ via phpMyAdmin if incorrect. 
• Rename the plugins folder via FTP to disable all plugins and test access. 

28. Password reset key error 

Problem: When resetting your password, WordPress displays an error saying your reset key is invalid or expired. 

Cause: A corrupted database entry or an expired password reset link. 

Solution: 

• Manually reset the password using phpMyAdmin in the wp_users table. 
• Delete expired password reset requests from the database. 
• Ensure your site URL settings in Settings > General are correct. 

29. WordPress not sending emails 

Problem: WordPress is not sending emails, causing issues with password resets, notifications and contact forms. 

Cause: Server misconfiguration, incorrect SMTP settings or emails being marked as spam. 

Solution: 

• Use an SMTP plugin like WP Mail SMTP to configure email settings. 
• Check with your hosting provider if email sending is blocked. 
• Use a third-party email service like Gmail SMTP or SendGrid. 

30. Add media button not working 

Problem: The “Add Media” button in the WordPress editor stops functioning, preventing you from inserting images into posts. 

Cause: A JavaScript conflict caused by a plugin or theme. 

Solution: 

• Disable all plugins and test if the button starts working again. 
• Switch to a default theme to check for theme conflicts. 
• Add the following line to wp-config.php to enable script debugging:  

php 

define('CONCATENATE_SCRIPTS', false); 

31. WordPress site not updating right away 

Problem: You make changes to your site, but they don’t appear immediately. Cached versions of pages might be showing instead. 

Cause: Browser cache, CDN caching or a misconfigured caching plugin. 

Solution: 

• Clear your browser cache and reload the page. 
• Purge cache from your caching plugin (WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache, etc.). 
• If using a CDN like Cloudflare, purge its cache and disable aggressive caching settings. 

32. WordPress search not working 

Problem: The built-in WordPress search function doesn’t return relevant results or fails entirely. 

Cause: Poor indexing, theme-related issues or a conflict with search plugins. 

Solution: 

• Re-index your database using a plugin like Relevanssi or SearchWP. 
• Switch to a default theme and check if search starts working. 
• Disable conflicting plugins and test the search function again. 

Final troubleshooting checklist for WordPress errors 

If you’re still facing issues, go through this final checklist to ensure nothing is overlooked: 

1. Clear your browser cache. 
2. Disable the WordPress plugins. 
3. Switch to the default WordPress theme. 
4. Check your error logs data. 
5. Increase the memory limit. 
6. Contact your WordPress hosting provider for support. 

Need more help? Contact Bluehost WordPress support 

If you’ve tried the solutions and your issue persists, don’t worry! Sometimes, WordPress errors require expert intervention. Bluehost offers 24/7 WordPress support to help you resolve complex issues quickly. 

Here’s how Bluehost support can assist you: 

• Troubleshoot technical problems specific to your hosting environment. 
• Help with WordPress installation, updates and migrations. 
• Provide guidance on security issues, backups and performance optimization. 
• Assist in fixing plugin and theme conflicts. 

For immediate help, visit Bluehost’s Support or explore our Knowledge Base. Our team is just a message away! 

Final thoughts 

WordPress errors can disrupt your website, but most have straightforward fixes. With the right troubleshooting steps, you can quickly restore your site’s functionality. Regular maintenance, backups and updates help prevent many of these issues from occurring in the first place. 

If you’re looking for a hassle-free WordPress experience, choose Bluehost WordPress hosting. Bluehost takes care of your website with automatic updates, expert support and optimized performance. This keeps your site running smoothly, so you can focus on growing your business instead of troubleshooting errors. 

Ready for stress-free WordPress hosting? Check out Bluehost WordPress hosting plans and get started today! 

FAQs