Are you dealing with a broken WordPress site and don’t know what to do? If your website is showing a blank screen or a “Critical Error” message, it can be incredibly frustrating. The good news is that many of these issues are fixable with some simple troubleshooting.
In this guide, we will be exploring the most common reasons that your site might be down while providing practical solutions to recover it. Whether you’re facing plugin conflicts, theme issues, or server errors, we’ll help you navigate the necessary fixes to get your WordPress site back online.
Why Does a WordPress Site Get Broken?
Before you can begin fixing a broken site, it is important to understand what might be causing the problem. Knowing the common culprits behind the broken WordPress site will set you on the right path to resolving the issue.
Let’s break it down: by familiarizing yourself with the typical reasons why a WordPress site might break, you’ll be better equipped to Troubleshoot and Recover your broken WordPress site.
Common Causes of a Broken WordPress Website
A broken WordPress site can be incredibly frustrating, but knowing what usually causes these issues can make troubleshooting easier. Often, problems arise from a few common sources that are simple to overlook. By understanding these typical triggers, you can quickly get your website back on track and minimize downtime. So here are some of the reasons that cause a broken WordPress website.
- Have you recently made any modifications to your PHP files with custom code?
- Did you add any new plugins recently?
- Have you changed your site’s theme?
- Did you make any plugin or theme updates?
- Is your hosting environment using some older version of MySQL or PHP?
- Has your website been compromised by a security breach?
These are some of the top reasons why a WordPress website may break. Now, let’s explore each one in detail to help you identify and fix the issue.
Also Read: The Most Common WordPress Errors with Their Solutions
Have You Added Custom Code to Your PHP Files?
Making custom changes to your PHP files might seem like a quick solution, especially when you’re trying to fix a specific issue or add new functionality to your WordPress site. However, even the smallest coding misstep can cause serious issues, such as your WordPress site malfunctioning or going down entirely. If you’ve recently added custom code to your theme or plugin files and things are acting up, that new code could be the reason.
If you’re not a coding expert, it’s a smart move to reach out to a developer. Copying and pasting code without fully understanding what it does can easily backfire. Editing your theme’s functions.php file, plugin source code, or worse WordPress core can break your site if you’re not careful.
Whenever you need to add custom code, make sure you know exactly what it does, and always test it in a staging environment before making any changes to your live website. Better safe than sorry!
Did You Add Any New Plugins Recently?
Sometimes, adding a new plugin to your WordPress site can lead to a broken WordPress website. While installing a new plugin might seem like a simple task, it can sometimes conflict with your theme or other plugins, potentially causing your site to be broken.
Be very cautious when installing new plugins (they can pose security risks or cause compatibility issues!). Some plugins may contain hidden malicious code that could harm your site, while outdated or poorly maintained ones can leave your site open to attacks.
Before adding any new plugin, be sure to check its reviews, update history, and compatibility to avoid a broken WordPress website.
Is Your Hosting Environment Using an Older Version of MySQL or PHP?
Running a WordPress website on an outdated server can put your site at serious risk. If your host is using old versions of PHP or MySQL, it can lead to problems, including security vulnerabilities, slow performance, and compatibility issues.
An outdated server environment is a common reason for a broken WordPress website. In order to keep your site running smoothly and securely, make sure your hosting provider is using the most updated versions of PHP and MySQL.
Also Read: Best WordPress Hosting For Small Businesses and Starters
Have You Changed the Theme of Your Website?
If you’ve recently changed the theme of your website and are now experiencing issues, your new theme could be the problem. Outdated themes or those not fully compatible with the latest WordPress version can lead to a broken WordPress site.
To check if your theme is the reason, switch to the default WordPress theme (Twenty Twenty-Four) by going to Appearance > Themes. If your site is working all fine with this default theme, then it is likely that the theme you recently changed to is causing the issues.
It’s essential to keep your theme updated and ensure it’s compatible with the latest WordPress versions. While updating themes is important, be mindful that updates can occasionally introduce new problems, just as with plugins.
Did You Perform Updates on Your Plugins or Theme?
Keeping your WordPress site up to date is essential for maintaining functionality and security. However, sometimes updates can inadvertently cause issues that lead to a broken WordPress website. Since updates often rely on one another, an update to your plugins or theme can occasionally result in a broken WordPress website.
For instance, a new version of a plugin may be incompatible with your current theme, or vice versa, leading to functionality problems or errors. Similarly, updating one component of your WordPress site might create conflicts with others, sometimes leading to a broken website. This interdependency means that even routine updates can occasionally result in issues that can break your WordPress website. Applying updates on a staging site first can help prevent potential issues.
Has Your Website been Compromised by a Security Breach?
A security breach occurs when unauthorized individuals gain access to your site, leading to issues like data theft, financial loss, or damage to your reputation. These breaches can happen due to mistakes, system weaknesses, or intentional attacks.
As WordPress is the most famous content management system out there, it’s a prime target for hackers. Its broad range of plugins and themes, while offering great features, can also create security vulnerabilities.
Hackers often deploy automated bots to exploit these vulnerabilities. If your site is listed on search engines, it’s also visible to potential attackers. To protect your site you should keep your plugins updated and use strong security solutions to help keep your website secure.
Troubleshooting and Fixing Your Broken Site
We have reviewed some common reasons a WordPress site might break, like plugin conflicts or server errors. Now, let’s explore practical solutions for each issue to help you quickly troubleshoot and recover your site. This section will walk you through different fixes to get your WordPress site back up and running smoothly.
Scenario 1: White Screen of Death
Issue: Your site simply displays a blank white screen without any error messages, making it inaccessible.
Possible Causes:
- PHP code errors
- Exhausted memory limit
- Plugin or theme conflicts
Fixes:
- Enable Debugging: Edit your wp-config.php file to add:
- define(‘WP_DEBUG’, true);
- define(‘WP_DEBUG_LOG’, true);
- This configuration helps create a debug.log file in the /wp-content/ directory, which logs error details for troubleshooting.
- Increase Memory Limit: Update the wp-config.php file with:
- define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);
- This adjustment increases the PHP memory limit to 256MB, potentially resolving issues caused by insufficient memory.
- Disable Plugins and Themes: Use FTP to rename the plugins and themes folders in /wp-content/. This action deactivates all plugins and reverts to the default theme, helping identify if a plugin or theme is causing the issue.
Scenario 2: Plugin Conflicts
Issue: Several functionalities on your site are malfunctioning or the site is experiencing frequent crashes.
Possible Causes:
- Incompatible and/or outdated plugins
- Several plugins that have similar functions
Fixes:
- Disable All Plugins: Using FTP, try renaming plugins folder for deactivating all plugins at once.
- Enable Plugins One-by-One: Restore the plugins folder name and activate each plugin individually to identify the one causing problems.
- Update or Replace Plugins: Ensure all plugins are up-to-date. If the problem could be an outdated plugin then find a similar alternative in order to avoid this issue.
Scenario 3: Theme Problems
Issue: The layout or functionality of your theme is broken or not working correctly.
Possible Causes:
- Theme incompatibility with WordPress
- Corrupted theme files
- Theme and plugin conflicts
Fixes:
- Switch to a Default Theme: Via FTP, rename your current theme folder in /wp-content/themes/ to turn to some default theme.
- Reinstall or Update the Theme: If the default theme resolves the issue, reinstall or update the problematic theme to its latest version.
- Contact Theme Developer: For premium or custom themes, seek support from the theme developer.
Scenario 4: Errors Related to Servers
Issue: Your site displays server errors like a 500 Internal Server Error.
Possible Causes:
- Corrupted .htaccess file
- PHP memory limit issues
- Server misconfigurations
Fixes:
- Regenerate .htaccess File: Rename the .htaccess file via FTP and then go to “Settings” -> “Permalinks” in WordPress to regenerate a new .htaccess file.
- Check PHP Memory Limit: Follow the instructions from the First Scenario in order to increase the PHP memory limit.
- Contact Hosting Provider: If the problem persists, reach out to your hosting provider to resolve any server-related issues.
Scenario 5: Database Errors
Issue: Database issues can cause your WordPress site to become inaccessible or broken.
Possible Causes:
- Database connection problems
- Corrupted database tables
Fixes:
- Check Database Credentials: Ensure your wp-config.php file contains the correct database credentials provided by your hosting service.
- Repair Database Tables: Use phpMyAdmin or similar tools to access your database and repair any corrupted tables.
- Optimize Database: Use plugins such as WP-Optimize or phpMyAdmin to clean and to optimize your database by removing data that is unnecessary.
Scenario 6: Security-Related Issues
Issue: Security issues can compromise your site.
Possible Causes:
- Weak passwords
- Outdated themes and plugins
- Insufficient security measures
- Malware or hacking attempts
Fixes:
- Enforce Strong Passwords: Ensure that all users (particularly administrators!) use complex passwords and also limit user privileges.
- Keep Themes and Plugins Updated: Regularly update all components of your WordPress site to address vulnerabilities.
- Implement Security Plugins: Install security plugins such as Wordfence or Sucuri for enhanced protection. Enable features like two-factor authentication and login attempt limits.
- Clean Malware and Strengthen Security: Use security tools to scan for and remove malware. Secure your site by adjusting file permissions and disabling directory listing.
- Regular Backups: Follow a backup strategy for your site and database to restore your site in case of issues.
By following these detailed troubleshooting steps, you will finally be able to resolve the issue and also fix your broken WordPress site.
Also Read: The Complete WordPress Security Guide 2024 – Step by Step
Wrapping Up
We have covered a lot in this guide, everything from identifying common issues that might break your site to tackling specific problems and solutions, which will definitely be very helpful. Whether you’re facing the dreaded White Screen of Death, dealing with plugin conflicts, or struggling with server errors, you now have a practical roadmap for getting your site back on track.
We started by looking at the usual reasons for a broken site and the common causes which help you diagnose the problem and work towards it to solve it. By recognizing triggers such as custom code errors, plugin conflicts, or outdated themes, you can better target your troubleshooting efforts.
In the troubleshooting section we put forth several straightforward solutions for each common issue that is faced. From enabling debugging to checking for plugin conflicts and handling theme problems, these steps will help you get your site running smoothly again.
Although dealing with a broken site is indeed frustrating, what could be done is to have a clear plan which makes it easier to tackle the problem. By following these troubleshooting steps and solutions, you’ll be equipped to handle most issues and keep your site functional for your visitors.
If you need further assistance or have any questions, feel free to reach out. We’re here to help you get your WordPress site back in action.
Also Read: HubSpot WordPress Plugin: The free CRM plugin to help you grow easier, faster, and better
