Oops.
Common errors found in WordPress can be easily fixed, if you know what you’re doing.
40% of all websites on the internet are powered by our little WP friends, but they’re not immune to some serious issues.
So what are they, and how do we get around them?
White Screen of Death (WSOD)
Cause:
This one takes the piss.
It usually occurs due to a PHP error, incompatible themes or plugins, or exhausted memory limits.
When this happens, your site is completely blank and inaccessible.
Solution:
- Disable plugins and themes one by one to find the culprit.
- Start by renaming the plugins folder via FTP, and if it still happens, switch themes.
- Increase the PHP memory limit in your ‘wp-config.php’ file with this code: define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);
- Or contact your hosting provider for assistance.
404 Page Not Found Errors
Cause:
These errors happen when a user tries to access a page that does not exist on your site, but its root cause is:
Broken links, missing pages, or incorrect permalink settings.
Solution:
- Use a plugin like “Redirection” to manage 301 redirects for broken links.
- Double-check your permalink structure by going to “Settings > Permalinks” in the dashboard and save your new settings.
- Regularly review and update internal and external links to prevent broken links.
Database Connection Issues
Cause:
Incorrect database credentials or server problems.
Your site may display an error message stating it can’t connect to the database.
Solution:
- Verify your database credentials in the ‘wp-config.php’ file.
- Make sure the name, username, password and host are correct.
- Contact your hosting provider if you think there are server issues.
Plugin Compatibility Problems
Cause:
Some plugins aren’t compatible with your WordPress version, or with each other.
Solution:
- Update plugins regularly and check for compatibility before installing a new one.
- Disable or delete conflicting plugins and try and find alternatives to reduce future issues.
Slow Page Loading Times
Cause:
Large images, unoptimised code, or a slow hosting server.
This can create poor user experience, and negatively affect your SEO rankings.
No one enjoys this.
Solution:
- Optimise everything, use caching plugins like WP Super Cache or W3 Total Cache.
- Think about upgrading your hosting plan to one that prioritises quality performance and speed.
Security Vulnerabilities
Cause:
Outdated WordPress versions, themes and plugins can make your site vulnerable to hacks and malware.
Security weaknesses can compromise your site’s integrity and expose sensitive data.
Solution:
Keep everything up to date, developers tend to release security patches in updates.
Use strong unique passwords for all user accounts, including administrators (try out a password manager like LastPass).
Install security plugins to up your site’s security.
HTTP Error When Uploading Media
Cause:
This occasionally happens when trying to upload media files.
It can occur due to server limitations or conflicts with image optimisation plugins.
Solution:
- Check your server’s maximum upload size by going to “Media” > “Add New” in the dashboard.
- If the file exceeds the limit, think about increasing it via your hosting provider.
- Temporarily disable image optimisation plugins to identify conflicts.
- Some plugins may interfere with the upload process.
Broken or Missing Images
Cause:
Images can become broken or missing if their URLs change or if you move to a new domain.
Broken images negatively impact SEO, your site’s credibility and UX.
Solution:
- Use plugins to update image links after migrating your site to a new domain or changing permalink structures.
- Audit your site regularly to look for broken images by using more plugins.
- Fix any broken links promptly to maintain a seamless experience.
Login Page Issues
Cause:
This can be various factors, including incorrect URLs, lost login credentials, or security issues.
An inaccessible login page can lock you out of your own site.
Solution:
- Make sure you are using the correct login URL.
- By default, it is “yoursite.com/wp-admin” or “yoursite.com/wp-login-php”.
- If you’ve forgotten your password or username, use the “Lost your password?” link on the login page to create a reset.
- Use things like two-factor authentication (2FA) to increase security: Numerous 2FA plugins are out there for WordPress.
XML-RPC Attacks
Cause:
XML-RPC, a remote procedure call protocol used by WordPress, can be exploited for DDoS attacks or brute-force login attempts.
These attacks can overload your server and potentially lead the site to shut down.
Solution:
If you don’t need the XML-RPC functionality, think about disabling it.
You can do this by adding the following code to your theme’s ‘functions.php’ file or via a plugin:
add_filter(‘xmlrpc_enabled’ , ‘_ _return_false’);
Woah, that’s a lot to take in.
Common errors found in WordPress are SO common that you don’t really need to worry too much about them.
As long as you’re equipped with the right tools, whether it’s a DYI or you hire a professional, it’s bound to be fixed soon enough.
Help is always around the corner, and here at Toast, we’re more than happy to.
