WordPress is a popular platform for creating and managing websites. However, like any software, it can encounter errors that may frustrate users. In this guide, we’ll explore the 50 most common WordPress errors and provide simple, easy-to-understand explanations on what they mean and how to fix them. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced WordPress user, this comprehensive list will help you troubleshoot and resolve these issues, making your website more reliable and user-friendly.
50 Most Common WordPress Errors and How to Fix Them
1. Error Establishing a Database Connection
Description: This error occurs when WordPress can’t connect to its database, which stores all your site’s data.
Fix: Check your database credentials in wp-config.php, ensure your database server is running, and contact your hosting provider if needed.
2. White Screen of Death
Description: Your website displays a blank white screen, making it inaccessible.
Fix: Disable faulty plugins or themes by renaming their folders via FTP or check for PHP errors in your logs.
3. 404 Error Page Not Found
Description: Visitors see a “404 – Page Not Found” message when trying to access a specific page.
Fix: Update your permalinks, check for broken links, and verify if the page or content exists.
4. Internal Server Error
Description: A vague error message that indicates a problem on the server but doesn’t specify the issue.
Fix: Deactivate plugins, check your .htaccess file for errors, and increase your PHP memory limit.
5. Syntax Error in WordPress
Description: This error occurs due to incorrect code in your theme or plugin files.
Fix: Identify and fix the code error by reviewing the file mentioned in the error message.
6. Error Uploading Images in WordPress
Description: You can’t upload images or media files to your WordPress site.
Fix: Check file permissions, increase PHP memory limit, and ensure your server has enough disk space.
7. Connection Timed Out Error
Description: Your site takes too long to load, resulting in a timeout error.
Fix: Check your internet connection, optimize your website, and consider a faster hosting plan.
8. WordPress Keeps Logging Out
Description: You’re frequently logged out of your WordPress dashboard.
Fix: Clear your browser cookies and cache, disable conflicting plugins, or reset your WordPress password.
9. Memory Exhausted Error
Description: WordPress uses more memory than allowed by your server configuration.
Fix: Increase PHP memory limit by editing your wp-config.php or contacting your hosting provider.
10. Sidebar Below Content Error
Description: Your sidebar appears below your main content instead of alongside it.
Fix: Check for unclosed HTML tags or CSS issues in your theme.
11. WordPress Stuck in Maintenance Mode
Description: Your site displays a “Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance” message even after updates.
Fix: Remove the .maintenance file in your WordPress root directory.
12. WordPress Not Sending Email Notifications
Description: Your website fails to send email notifications (e.g., password reset emails).
Fix: Use an SMTP plugin to configure email settings or contact your hosting provider for assistance.
13. WordPress Login Page Refreshing/Redirecting
Description: The login page refreshes without logging you in.
Fix: Clear your browser cookies and cache, check .htaccess for redirection rules, and deactivate conflicting plugins.
14. WordPress HTTP Error When Uploading Images
Description: Images fail to upload, showing an HTTP error.
Fix: Change your image file format, disable mod_security, or resize the image before uploading.
15. 502 Bad Gateway Error
Description: Your site displays a “502 Bad Gateway” error, indicating a problem with the server or hosting.
Fix: Contact your hosting provider, check server logs, and deactivate unnecessary plugins.
16. WordPress Keeps Logging Out Users
Description: Your site frequently logs out logged-in users.
Fix: Check for conflicting plugins, reset WordPress cookies, or disable browser extensions.
17. Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance
Description: After an update, your site displays a maintenance message but never returns to normal.
Fix: Remove the .maintenance file from your WordPress root directory.
18. Can’t Access WordPress Admin Dashboard
Description: You can’t log in to the WordPress admin dashboard.
Fix: Check your login credentials, deactivate plugins, or reset your password via phpMyAdmin.
19. WordPress Not Updating Plugins or Themes
Description: You can’t update plugins or themes from the admin area.
Fix: Ensure correct file permissions, disable conflicting plugins, or manually update via FTP.
20. WordPress Keeps Logging Out and Logging In Issue
Description: Users are continuously logged out and logged in again.
Fix: Verify your site URL settings, check for SSL issues, and clear cache and cookies.
21. The Following Plugin Has Failed to Load Properly
Description: A plugin doesn’t load correctly and may not function as expected.
Fix: Deactivate and reactivate the plugin, update it, or look for compatibility issues with your WordPress version.
22. Unable to Create Directory Error in WordPress
Description: WordPress can’t create directories to upload files or perform updates.
Fix: Set correct file permissions on your server using FTP or a hosting control panel.
23. Sidebar Disappears Error
Description: Your sidebar disappears from your website.
Fix: Check for coding errors or conflicts in your theme’s templates or widgets.
24. 403 Forbidden Error
Description: Visitors receive a “403 Forbidden” error when accessing certain parts of your site.
Fix: Check file permissions, .htaccess, and server settings to ensure access is granted.
25. Too Many Redirects Error
Description: Your site enters an endless loop of redirects, preventing access.
Fix: Check .htaccess for erroneous redirect rules, review SSL settings, and clear browser cache and cookies.
26. WordPress Keeps Asking for FTP Credentials
Description: WordPress prompts for FTP credentials when installing plugins or themes.
Fix: Adjust file permissions or add FTP credentials to wp-config.php to resolve this issue.
27. WordPress White Text and Missing Buttons
Description: Text and buttons in the WordPress editor appear white or missing.
Fix: Disable conflicting plugins, clear browser cache, or switch to the default WordPress editor.
28. 504 Gateway Timeout Error
Description: Your website takes too long to respond, resulting in a “504 Gateway Timeout” error.
Fix: Contact your hosting provider, optimize your website, and disable unnecessary plugins.
29. WordPress Keeps Logging Out After Inactivity
Description: You’re logged out after a period of inactivity on your WordPress dashboard.
Fix: Adjust session expiration settings or install an activity tracking plugin to keep you logged in.
30. WordPress Admin Bar Not Showing
Description: The admin bar that usually appears at the top of your site doesn’t display.
Fix: Ensure the admin bar is enabled in your user profile settings or check for conflicts with your theme.
31. Mixed Content Error in WordPress
Description: Your site displays a mixed content warning due to HTTP and HTTPS elements.
Fix: Update URLs to HTTPS in your database, use a plugin, or modify the .htaccess file.
32. WordPress Posts Returning 404 Error
Description: Your posts are not accessible and display a “404 – Page Not Found” error.
Fix: Reset permalinks, check for conflicting plugins or themes, and inspect .htaccess for issues.
33. WordPress Visual Editor Not Working
Description: The visual editor doesn’t load, making it difficult to edit content.
Fix: Disable conflicting plugins, clear browser cache, or try using the text editor.
34. Failed to Open Stream Error in WordPress
Description: This error appears when a file can’t be opened or included.
Fix: Correct file paths in your code, check file permissions, and ensure the file exists.
35. 403 Forbidden Access to This Resource on the Server
Description: Users can’t access specific resources due to restricted permissions.
Fix: Review and adjust file permissions, check your .htaccess file, and contact your hosting provider.
36. WordPress Site Not Updating Right Away
Description: Changes made to your site don’t appear immediately.
Fix: Clear browser cache, server cache (if applicable), and consider using a caching plugin.
37. Add Media Button Not Working in WordPress
Description: You can’t add media files to your posts or pages.
Fix: Disable conflicting plugins, clear browser cache, or investigate JavaScript errors.
38. Mixed Content SSL Error in WordPress
Description: Your site shows SSL errors due to mixed HTTP and HTTPS content.
Fix: Update all URLs to use HTTPS, use a plugin, or modify .htaccess to force HTTPS.
39. Scheduled Posts Missed in WordPress
Description: Scheduled posts don’t publish at the expected times.
Fix: Check your WordPress timezone settings, ensure the publishing date is set correctly, and investigate conflicts with other plugins.
40. WordPress Categories Not Working
Description: Clicking on a category doesn’t display related posts.
Fix: Check category permalinks, flush your site’s rewrite rules, and ensure the category exists.
41. Unable to Login to WordPress Admin After Migration
Description: After moving your site, you can’t log in to the WordPress admin area.
Fix: Verify your database details in wp-config.php, check for broken links, and ensure proper migration.
42. The Site Is Experiencing Technical Difficulties
Description: This generic error message appears on your site.
Fix: Check the error log for specific details, identify and resolve the underlying issue.
43. WordPress Editor Not Saving Changes
Description: Changes made in the editor are not saved.
Fix: Clear browser cache, check for JavaScript errors, and test with a different browser.
44. WordPress Categories Disappeared
Description: Your categories are missing from your website.
Fix: Check for coding errors, restore from a backup, or rebuild categories manually.
45. Locked Out of WordPress Admin Dashboard
Description: You can’t access the admin dashboard due to login issues.
Fix: Reset your password via email, phpMyAdmin, or contact your hosting provider.
46. WordPress RSS Feed Errors
Description: Your RSS feed isn’t working, preventing users from subscribing.
Fix: Deactivate plugins, reset permalinks, and check for invalid characters in your posts.
47. WordPress Database Connection Error
Description: Your site can’t connect to the database, rendering it inaccessible.
Fix: Check database credentials in wp-config.php and contact your hosting provider for assistance.
48. Missing a Temporary Folder Error
Description: WordPress can’t locate the temporary folder for uploads.
Fix: Set the correct path for the temporary folder in wp-config.php or contact your hosting provider.
49. WordPress Text Widget not Working
Description: Text widgets don’t display or function correctly.
Fix: Check for HTML errors in the widget, disable conflicting plugins, or use a different widget.
50. Too Many Redirects Loop in WordPress
Description: Your site gets stuck in a never-ending redirect loop.
Fix: Examine .htaccess for faulty rules, ensure SSL settings are correct, and clear browser cache and cookies.
Conclusion
WordPress errors can be frustrating, but they are not insurmountable. By understanding these common issues and their fixes in plain English, you can keep your WordPress website running smoothly. Regular backups, plugin updates, and monitoring for issues are essential practices to prevent and address these errors. Remember that if you’re ever unsure about how to fix a problem, seeking help from a professional or your hosting provider is a wise choice. By following the tips and solutions outlined in this guide, you’ll be better equipped to maintain a reliable and accessible WordPress website.
