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Common WordPress Errors

Top 20 Common WordPress Errors: How To Fix These Issues

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Dealing with common WordPress errors can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to maintain a seamless online experience. 

Many WordPress issues like development and design problems can disrupt your site’s performance. Studies show that 43% of websites face WordPress development problems annually. 

Whether it’s WordPress site design problems or unexpected WordPress trouble, these issues often stem from minor bugs or outdated plugins. 

Fortunately, many WordPress development issues can be resolved with basic troubleshooting. This guide will help you identify and address common WordPress development issues to get your site running smoothly again.

How To Fix These Common WordPress Errors?

How To Fix This Common WordPress Issue “This Site Is Experiencing Technical Difficulties”

This Site Is Experiencing Technical Difficulties

With the release of WordPress 5.2, a new fatal error protection feature was introduced. If your website encounters a fatal error, a simple message will appear: “This Site Is Experiencing Technical Difficulties.”

Luckily, WordPress provides built-in solutions for dealing with these common WordPress errors. A detailed report outlining the error’s cause will be sent to your admin email. This email also includes a link to access the site’s backend, where you can tackle WordPress issues directly and even fix WordPress issues effectively.

How To Fix This Common WordPress Issue: Parse Error/Syntax Error

Another frequent issue is the syntax or parse error, a specific type of PHP error that gives a clear explanation of the problem, unlike many other WordPress development problems.

This error typically occurs due to incorrect code syntax, often from a recently added snippet in files like functions.php. Instead of loading your page, WordPress will display a message pointing out the specific issue and its location in the code.

To resolve this, you need to access the mentioned file using an SFTP client, like FileZilla, which is both free and open-source. After logging in with your SFTP credentials, locate the problematic file. In this example, it’s within the current theme’s functions.php file. Right-click on it and choose View/Edit.

The error message even specifies the line of code that contains the error. Simply correct the mistake, in this case, a missing parenthesis. Save the file, and confirm replacing the old version on the server. Your site should now function correctly.

How To Fix This Common WordPress Issue: Maximum Execution Time Exceeded

A common PHP error occurs when a script exceeds the allowed execution time. Hosting providers set these limits, which can vary. If a script runs longer than permitted, you’ll encounter the error: “Fatal error: Maximum execution time exceeded.”

Two approaches can be taken to fix this.

The first approach is to find and remove the script causing the delay, usually tied to a plugin or theme. Deactivating plugins or switching to a default theme can help you identify the issue.

You can also extend the maximum execution time by adding this line to your php.ini file:

max_execution_time = 300

Alternatively, reach out to your hosting service to see if they can raise this limit for you.

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How To Fix This Common WordPress Issue: Blank White Screen (White Screen of Death)

How To Fix This Common WordPress Issue: Blank White Screen (White Screen of Death)

The infamous WordPress White Screen of Death (WSoD) is one of the most frustrating issues you might encounter. Your website suddenly displays a blank white screen with no error messages or guidance.

This issue often occurs when WordPress fails to load properly, which can be due to various factors. With limited information available, you may need to experiment with different troubleshooting approaches.

Here’s a brief overview of the steps to address this common WordPress issue:

  1. Disable Plugins: Faulty plugins are often the main reason behind the WSoD. Deactivate all your plugins to see if this fixes the issue.
  2. Deactivate Your Theme: Your WordPress theme could also be causing the issue. Use an SFTP client to switch to a default WordPress theme temporarily.
  3. Activate Debug Mode: Enabling WordPress debug mode displays errors directly on your site, helping you identify the root cause of the problem.
  4. Clear Your Cache: Sometimes, your caching solution shows old files, despite the WSoD being resolved. Clear your cache to see if the problem is resolved.
  5. Increase Memory Limit: If your site is running out of memory, increase the memory allocation by modifying your php.ini file.

These methods usually resolve WordPress site design problems. If the problem continues, it’s advisable to reach out to your web host provider for additional support.

How To Fix This Common WordPress Issue: 400 Errors

How To Fix This Common WordPress Issue: 400 Errors

400 Bad Request

This error occurs when your server encounters an issue it can’t categorize. Several solutions may resolve this issue:

  1. Verify the URL for any spelling or typing errors.
  2. Remove temporary files and data stored by your browser.
  3. Refresh your device’s DNS records.
  4. Temporarily turn off any add-ons or plugins installed in your browser.

403 Forbidden

This error relates to WordPress permissions, which control who can access different parts of your site. If permissions are incorrect, you might see a 403 error.

To fix it:

  1. Reset your file permissions.
  2. Generate a new .htaccess file by navigating to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard and clicking Save Changes.

404 Not Found

This error indicates that the server couldn’t find the requested page. It’s commonly caused by broken links or changed URLs.

To resolve it:

  1. Generate a new .htaccess file using the steps mentioned above.
  2. Create a new .htaccess file by following the steps outlined above.
  3. If this doesn’t work, re-upload the .htaccess file manually. Create a new file named .htaccess, add the appropriate code, and upload it to your site’s root folder.

405 Method Not Allowed

This error happens when your server rejects a request from your browser. Various issues can cause this error, so try the following:

  1. Undo any recent updates to your theme or plugins.
  2. Disable add-ons
  3. Switch to a standard template
  4. Examine your server’s settings and error records
  5. Troubleshoot your application code.

How To Fix This Common WordPress Issue: 500 Errors

500 Internal Server Error

The 500 Internal Server Error is one of the more perplexing issues you might face with your WordPress site. It typically appears when something goes wrong on the server, but the cause isn’t immediately clear. Fortunately, this error is often linked to an error with your website’s .htaccess file or when your site hits its memory limit.

To troubleshoot, start by disabling your .htaccess file. Another option is to do this through SFTP by locating the file in your site’s root directory, usually named public_html. Rename the file to something like .htaccess-disabled, then check if your site is back to normal.

If this resolves the error, generate a new .htaccess file by going to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard and clicking Save Changes.

If the error continues, Consider raising the PHP memory limit. If you’re unable to adjust this manually, it could indicate that your hosting plan requires an upgrade. Additionally, if you’ve recently completed an SEO website migration, verify that all settings and configurations were properly transferred, as errors during the migration process can sometimes lead to server issues. Contact your web host for further assistance with WordPress trouble.

502 Bad Gateway

A 502 Bad Gateway error means the server acting as a gateway received a bad response from the server. This issue can negatively affect your website’s search engine optimization, so it’s crucial to resolve it promptly.

First, refresh the page and clear your web browser’s temporary files. If the error persists, check your DNS settings and consider temporarily turning off your content delivery network or security system. If these steps don’t resolve the issue, contact your hosting provider for assistance in fixing this WordPress trouble.

503 Service Unavailable

The 503 Service Unavailable error occurs when your server can’t be reached, making your site inaccessible to users even though it’s technically still online. This error could be caused by routine maintenance, which typically resolves itself once the maintenance is finished. 

Other reasons might be high traffic or server problems. To resolve this error, try these steps:

  1. Deactivate all plugins to rule out any conflicts.
  2. Use a standard WordPress template to see if it resolves the issue.
  3. Temporarily turn off your content delivery network.
  4. Reduce the frequency of WordPress’s heartbeat updates.
  5. Increase your server resources.

Following these steps should help you regain access to your site. If the problem persists, enabling WP_DEBUG might provide additional insights into the issue.

504 Gateway Timeout

A 504 Gateway Timeout error occurs when the proxy server times out while waiting for a response from the upstream server. This often happens due to communication issues between the servers.

To fix this, try reloading the page first. If that doesn’t work, disable any proxy settings that might be active, and check your DNS for potential issues. Deactivating your content delivery network for a short time can also help resolve this error.

How To Fix This Common WordPress Issue: Error Establishing a Database Connection

When your WordPress site fails to connect to its database, you’ll encounter the “Error Establishing a Database Connection” message. This error prevents your site from functioning because the database holds all crucial content and user data.

This issue often originates from the wp-config.php file, which contains essential information about your site’s database. To address this problem, you’ll need to access the wp-config.php file located in the root directory of your WordPress installation.

Begin by right-clicking the file and selecting View/Edit. Check that the database credentials, hostname, username, password, and database name are correct. You can verify these details by logging into your phpMyAdmin. If you find any discrepancies, correct them in the wp-config.php file and save the changes.

If the error continues, you might need to enable WordPress’ automatic database optimization feature. Incorporate the following line into your wp-config.php file:

define(‘WP_ALLOW_REPAIR’, true);

After making the changes, save the file and then transfer it to your server. Next, run the database repair tool by visiting https://mysiteurl.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php in your browser. You’ll be presented with options to either repair the database or repair and optimize it.

After completing the repair process, the page will reload, confirming that the database structure has been fixed. Be sure to remove the WP_ALLOW_REPAIR line from wp-config.php once the repair is complete to secure your site.

This should fix the database connection error and restore your WordPress site to normal operation.

How To Fix This Common WordPress Issue: Connection Timed Out Error

The Connection Timed Out error appears when your site tries to load but eventually gives up due to prolonged server response times.

This usually happens when your website lacks the necessary resources to function properly.

If you’re on a shared hosting plan, another site could be consuming more than its fair share of server resources, leaving your site struggling to keep up.

Alternatively, your site might have exceeded its allocated bandwidth.

To address this issue, consider upgrading to a higher-tier hosting plan, which provides additional resources to prevent slowdowns and downtime during peak traffic.

Additionally, this error can occur if your site is overloading the server.

To optimize performance, try deactivating resource-intensive plugins, switching to a default WordPress theme, and increasing your PHP memory limit.

These steps can help mitigate the problem and ensure a smoother site’s operation.

 

How To Fix This Common WordPress Issue: Secure Connection Error

A Secure Connection Error happens when your server cannot connect to WordPress.org, which can prevent updates to your site’s core files. This issue is often caused by incorrect server configuration.

One possible cause is a DDoS attack, which may temporarily prevent your server from connecting to WordPress.org. If this is the case, the issue should be resolved once the attack subsides.

If you’re experienced, you can try using SSH to connect your server to WordPress.org. But if you’re not familiar with SSH, it’s better to ask your hosting provider for help fixing the error.

How To Fix This Common WordPress Issue: Sidebar Appearing Below Main Content

If your site’s sidebar suddenly appears below the main content instead of beside it, the problem likely lies in your theme’s HTML or CSS code. First, consider if you’ve recently changed your theme. If you have, try undoing those changes to see if it resolves the issue.

If the issue persists, two common culprits are usually at play:

  1. Improper <div> Tags: These tags structure your site’s HTML elements. If one isn’t properly opened or closed, it can cause layout issues like moving the sidebar below the content.
  2. Incorrect CSS Margins: If the spacing defined in your style.css file is incorrect, the sidebar might not have sufficient room to be positioned next to your primary content.

Review your theme’s code for these issues. Running the problematic page using the W3C Markup Validation Service can help identify the source of the problem more quickly. Correcting these errors should restore your sidebar to its proper position.

How To Fix This Common WordPress Issue: Unable to Upload Images

How To Fix This Common WordPress Issue: Unable to Upload Images

If you’re encountering issues with uploading images or if they appear incorrectly on your WordPress site, the problem is likely related to incorrect file permissions.

This issue arises when your site doesn’t recognize that you have the appropriate permissions to add or access the files.

It can occur due to a hack or interference from a plugin that accidentally alters your permissions.

To resolve this, access your site via SFTP. Navigate to the wp-content directory and locate the uploads folder.

Instead of opening the folder, right-click on it and choose File Permissions. Adjust the numerical value to 744, allowing the owner (you) to read and write files. Click OK to apply the changes.

To ensure consistent permissions, apply the same process to all files within the folder. Right-click on uploads and choose File permissions. Set the value to 644 and enable the “Recurse into subdirectories” option. Additionally, select “Apply to files only.

After saving these changes, your Media Library should function normally, allowing you to upload new images. If the issue persists, repeat the process but change the uploads folder’s permission value to 755 instead of 744.

How To Fix This Common WordPress Issue: Changes Not Visible on Live Site

You’ve updated your WordPress site, but the changes don’t show up. This is usually due to caching issues.

First, clear your browser’s cache to ensure you’re viewing the most recent version of your site. If you’re using a caching plugin, you’ll also need to clear the plugin’s cache. Consult the plugin’s documentation for detailed instructions on how to do this. These steps should resolve the issue, allowing your changes to be visible on the live site.

How To Fix This Common WordPress Issue: Unable to Access the WordPress Admin Area

Getting locked out of your WordPress admin area can be frustrating, but it usually occurs when you lose your credentials.

To regain access, simply click the “Lost your password?” link on the login page. Enter your username or email address to receive a password reset link. In most cases, this will allow you to regain access to your dashboard.

However, If you no longer have access to the email associated with your account, or if the password reset link fails, you may need to reset your password using phpMyAdmin. Exercise caution with this method, as it can be risky and might affect your site or database. The specific steps may vary depending on your web host, so proceed carefully or consult your host’s support team for guidance if necessary.

How To Fix This Common WordPress Issue: Stuck in Maintenance Mode

Maintenance mode in WordPress is a useful feature that temporarily takes your site offline while updates are being applied. This prevents users from interacting with your site during the update process, which could cause issues.

Normally, updates are quick, and you barely notice any downtime. However, if an update is interrupted, Your website may remain in maintenance mode for an extended period.

Fortunately, resolving this issue is straightforward. Access your site via SFTP or cPanel, navigate to the root directory, and locate the .maintenance file. Delete this file to exit maintenance mode and return your site to its normal state.

How To Fix This Common WordPress Issue: Missed Scheduled Post Error

WordPress offers the convenience of scheduling posts in advance, which helps you plan your content efficiently. However, you might encounter a “Missed schedule” error if a post doesn’t publish as expected.

This problem typically happens because of an issue with WordPress cron jobs, which are automated tasks that handle scheduled posts. If a cron job fails, the scheduled post won’t be published.

To avoid this issue, consider using a plugin like Scheduled Post Trigger. This lightweight and reliable plugin ensures that your scheduled posts are published on time, effectively preventing missed schedules.

How To Fix This Common WordPress Issue: Failed Auto-Update

failed auto update error

Maintaining your WordPress site updated is essential for security and performance.

Regular updates protect your site from vulnerabilities and ensure optimal operation. With managed WordPress hosting, updates are typically handled automatically.

However, there are times when auto-updates fail due to issues like server glitches, incorrect file permissions, or unstable internet connections.

To enhance your site’s protection against WordPress security issues, following essential WordPress security tips—such as regularly updating plugins and themes, using strong passwords, and enabling two-factor authentication—can help safeguard your site against potential threats.

If your WordPress site doesn’t automatically update, you may encounter a blank screen or receive error messages.

To address this issue, you’ll need to manually install the newest version of WordPress by downloading it and uploading it to your website using SFTP.

How To Fix This Common WordPress Issue: The Site Ahead Contains Harmful Programs

When Google displays a “The Site Ahead Contains Harmful Programs” warning, it suggests that your site may be compromised with suspicious code, such as malware or a trojan.

This typically indicates that your site has been hacked and is potentially distributing content.

It is essential to address this issue promptly to safeguard your content and visitors’ personal information.

The fastest way to resolve this problem is by restoring your site from a recent backup.

If you’re using a backup-enabled plan like Jetpack, you likely have automatic, real-time backups available.

To restore your site, log into your WordPress dashboard, go to Jetpack > Backup, and choose a backup from before the suspicious activity began. Additionally, check for unusual changes, such as unfamiliar logins or modifications, and revert your site to that backup to mitigate the threat and address any WordPress security issues.

If you don’t have access to automatic backups or if your site was built with custom WordPress development, contact WordPress support for assistance. They can help remove the malware and secure your site, ensuring that the warning is resolved as swiftly as possible and addressing any WordPress issues.

How To Fix This Common WordPress Issue: Your Connection Is Not Private

Encountering a “Your Connection Is Not Private” error when accessing your site usually points to an issue with your SSL certificate.

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is an essential technology that safeguards the connection between your server and users, protecting sensitive data from being intercepted by hackers. An SSL certificate not only verifies the identity of your website but also ensures a secure connection.

If you’re experiencing issues with your SSL certificate, several factors could be the cause. Here’s how to address them:

  1. Check the SSL Certificate Expiration Date: SSL certificates need renewal periodically. Verify the expiration date through your web hosting account or by contacting your SSL certificate provider.
  2. Confirm Proper Issuance: Ensure that your SSL certificate is issued to the correct domain name. Double-check the spelling and verify that all intermediate certificates are correctly installed in the certificate chain.
  3. Run an SSL Server Test: Using online tools such as SSL Labs or Qualys SSL Server Test to identify potential issues with your SSL certificate or server configuration. These tests can help identify specific problems that need addressing to ensure your SSL setup is functioning correctly and your site remains secure.
  4. Contact Your Web Hosting Provider: If the above steps don’t resolve the issue, the problem may lie with your web hosting provider’s server configuration. Reach out to their support team to get further assistance in resolving the SSL error.

How To Fix This Common WordPress Issue: RSS Feed Errors

How To Fix This Common WordPress Issue: RSS Feed Errors

WordPress RSS feed errors happen when there’s a formatting issue in your XML file.

These errors can interfere with your RSS feed, making it hard for users and applications to access your site’s content.

The most common cause of RSS feed errors is incorrect PHP or HTML code that generates the feed.

Since RSS feeds rely on XML, even a minor mistake—like additional space, an unclosed tag, or a misformatted character—can invalidate the entire feed.

These errors can originate from diverse sources like your theme files, plugins, or current edits to your posts or pages.

Here’s how to fix WordPress RSS feed errors:

  1. Review Recent Changes: Start by checking any recent edits to your site’s PHP or HTML files, or new content you added. Look for syntax errors or formatting issues that might be causing the problem with your WordPress RSS feed.
  2. Validate Your Feed: Use an online RSS feed validation tool to identify the specific location and nature of the error in your feed. This tool will help you pinpoint the exact issue, making it easier to address and fix RSS feed errors effectively.
  3. Deactivate Plugins: Plugins can sometimes introduce errors into your RSS feed. Deactivate all your plugins, then reactivate them one by one. Check your feed each time to determine if a particular plugin is causing the issue.
  4. Switch to a Default Theme: To rule out theme-related problems, temporarily switch to a default WordPress theme. If this resolves the error, the issue may be within your theme’s files.
  5. Manually Inspect and Edit Code: If you’re comfortable with coding, examine your theme’s functions.php file or any custom code snippets for errors. Even small mistakes in the code can lead to RSS feed issues.
  6. Resolve Character Encoding Issues: In some cases, the problem might stem from character encoding mismatches. Ensure that your WordPress settings and database are using the same character encoding to avoid conflicts.

How To Fix This Common WordPress Issue: Custom Post Type 404 Errors

If you’re encountering 404 errors with custom post types in WordPress, there are a couple of steps you can take to resolve the issue.

  1. Check for Naming Conflicts: Ensure that your custom post types and any single pages on your site don’t share the same name or slug. If they do, rename the single page and update its slug to avoid conflicts.
  2. Reset Permalinks: To flush the rewrite rules and address 404 errors related to custom post types, log in to your WordPress dashboard and go to Settings > Permalinks. First, select the default permalink structure and save your changes. Then, choose your preferred permalink structure again and save. This process should resolve issues with permalinks and correct any related WordPress site design problems.

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Conclusion 

Dealing with WordPress issues can be frustrating, but many problems are easier to fix than they appear.

From 404 errors to RSS feed issues, understanding the root causes and applying the appropriate solutions can help you quickly address these common WordPress errors.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure your site operates smoothly and efficiently.

Remember, regular maintenance and updates are crucial for preventing these WordPress development problems from occurring.

Keep your site in top condition to enjoy a hassle-free WordPress experience and minimize WordPress trouble.

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