The WordPress White Screen of Death (WSOD) can be a daunting experience for anyone managing a WordPress website. It’s that moment when you try to access your site, and all you see is a blank, white screen, with no clear indication of what went wrong. But fear not! In this guide, we will explain in simple, plain English how to fix this issue and get your website back up and running smoothly. We’ll provide step-by-step instructions, demystify technical jargon, and ensure that the content is optimized for both human readers and search engines.

What is the WordPress White Screen of Death?

Before we dive into the solutions, let’s understand what the WordPress White Screen of Death actually is. In simple terms, it’s like when your computer freezes, and you can’t do anything until you restart it. In WordPress, this “freeze” manifests as a completely blank screen when you try to access your website.

How to Fix the WordPress White Screen of Death: Step-by-Step Guides

Step 1: Check for Plugin Issues

One of the most common causes of the White Screen of Death is a problematic plugin. Plugins are like apps for your WordPress site, and sometimes they don’t play nicely together. Here’s how to check for plugin issues:

1. Access Your Website Files: You’ll need access to your website’s files. Use an FTP client or your hosting control panel to do this.
2. Navigate to the Plugins Folder: Find the “wp-content” folder and then the “plugins” folder inside it.
3. Rename the Plugins Folder: Change the name of the “plugins” folder to something like “plugins_disabled.” This will deactivate all your plugins.
4. Check Your Site: Go back to your website. If it’s back to normal, you’ve identified the culprit.
5. Reactivate Plugins: Rename the folder back to “plugins” and reactivate each plugin one by one until you find the problematic one.

Step 2: Theme Problems

Sometimes, a malfunctioning theme can trigger the White Screen of Death. Here’s how to deal with it:

1. Access Your Website Files: Similar to the plugin troubleshooting, you’ll need to access your site’s files.
2. Navigate to the Themes Folder: Find the “wp-content” folder, and then locate the “themes” folder.
3. Rename Your Current Theme: Change the name of your active theme folder. WordPress will default to a default theme if it can’t find your active theme.
4. Check Your Site: Go back to your website. If it’s working now, your theme was the issue.
5. Reinstall or Update Your Theme: You can either reinstall your theme from a backup or update it to the latest version.

Step 3: Memory Exhaustion

WordPress requires a certain amount of memory to function correctly. If it runs out of memory, it can lead to the White Screen of Death. Here’s how to address this:

1. Access Your Website Files: You know the drill.
2. Edit the wp-config.php File: Find the “wp-config.php” file in your WordPress root directory. Edit it with a text editor.
3. Increase Memory Limit: Add the following code just before the line that says /* That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */:
   php

   define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');


   This will increase the memory limit to 256 megabytes.

4. Check Your Site: See if your site is back to normal.

Step 4: PHP Errors

Errors in your site’s PHP code can cause the White Screen of Death. Let’s tackle this issue:

1. Access Your Website Files: Yup, once again.
2. Edit the wp-config.php File: Open “wp-config.php” as you did before.
3. Enable Debugging: Add the following code to your “wp-config.php” file:
   php

   define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);


   This will enable debugging and log errors without displaying them on your site.

4. Check for Errors: Go back to your site and look for error messages. These will give you clues about the issue.
5. Fix the Errors: Once you identify the problematic code, you can fix it or seek help from a developer.

Step 5: Corrupted Core Files

In rare cases, the WordPress core files themselves can become corrupted. Here’s how to address this:

1. Backup Your Website: Before making any changes to core files, always back up your website.
2. Download WordPress: Visit the official WordPress website and download the latest version of WordPress.
3. Replace Core Files: Access your website files, go to the root directory, and replace all the core files with the ones you just downloaded.
4. Check Your Site: After replacing the core files, check if your site is working properly.

Step 6: Server Issues

Sometimes, the problem isn’t with WordPress but with your web hosting server. Here’s what you can do:

1. Contact Your Hosting Provider: Reach out to your hosting provider’s customer support and explain the issue.
2. Check Server Resources: If you have access to server resources, ensure that your server isn’t running out of memory or experiencing high CPU usage.
3. Server Logs: Ask your hosting provider for server logs. These logs can provide insights into server-related issues.

Step 7: Database Problems

Your WordPress site relies heavily on its database. If there are issues with the database, it can lead to the White Screen of Death. Here’s how to address this:

1. Backup Your Database: Always start by creating a backup of your WordPress database.
2. Repair Database Tables: WordPress has a built-in tool to repair database tables. You can access it through phpMyAdmin or by adding the following code to your “wp-config.php” file:
   php

   define('WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true);


   Visit http://www.yourwebsite.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php to use this tool.

3. Check for Plugin Conflicts: Sometimes, a specific plugin might be causing database issues. Deactivate plugins one by one to identify the culprit.
4. Seek Professional Help: If you’re not comfortable working with databases, consider hiring a professional to diagnose and fix the problem.

Step 8: File Permission Errors

Incorrect file permissions can lead to the White Screen of Death. Here’s how to handle this:

1. Access Your Website Files: Yep, again.
2. Check File Permissions: Ensure that your files and folders have the correct permissions. Generally, folders should have permissions set to 755, and files should be set to 644.
3. Correct Permissions: You can change permissions using an FTP client or your hosting control panel.
4. Check Your Site: After correcting file permissions, check if your site is working properly.

Step 9: Browser Cache

Sometimes, the problem isn’t with your website but with your browser. Your browser might be showing you an older, cached version of your site. Here’s how to deal with it:

1. Clear Browser Cache: In your web browser’s settings, find the option to clear cache and cookies. After doing this, try accessing your site again.
2. Use Incognito/Private Mode: Alternatively, you can open your site in an incognito or private browsing window, which doesn’t use cached data.

How to Fix the WordPress White Screen of Death: 20 Easy Steps

Step 1: Check Your Internet Connection

Before we dive into WordPress troubleshooting, make sure your internet connection is stable. Sometimes, a poor connection can mimic the WSOD.

Step 2: Clear Your Browser Cache

Often, a cached version of your website may be causing the white screen. Clear your browser cache to rule out this possibility.

Step 3: Disable Browser Extensions

Some browser extensions can interfere with website loading. Try disabling them and see if your site comes back to life.

Step 4: Check Your Website URL

Ensure that you’re using the correct URL to access your WordPress site. Sometimes, typos can lead to the WSOD.

Step 5: Verify Hosting Server Status

Reach out to your hosting provider to confirm that their servers are operational. Server issues can cause your website to go down.

Step 6: Review Your Theme

Switch to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-One. If the WSOD disappears, your theme might be the culprit.

Step 7: Deactivate Plugins

Deactivate all your plugins. If the white screen disappears, reactivate them one by one to identify the problematic one.

Step 8: Increase PHP Memory Limit

Sometimes, your website might run out of memory. Increase the PHP memory limit by editing the wp-config.php file.

Step 9: Check for Syntax Errors

A single typo in your code can lead to the WSOD. Use a code editor to review your recent changes for errors.

Step 10: Disable Debug Mode

Ensure that WordPress debug mode is turned off in your wp-config.php file.

Step 11: Look for Corrupt Files

Check if any core WordPress files are corrupted. Replace them with fresh copies if necessary.

Step 12: Examine .htaccess File

A misconfigured .htaccess file can cause issues. Check for any errors and correct them.

Step 13: Verify Database Connection

Ensure that your WordPress site can connect to the database. Check your wp-config.php settings.

Step 14: Scan for Malware

Run a security plugin to scan for malware or malicious code on your website.

Step 15: Check Server Resource Limits

Consult your hosting provider to ensure you’re not exceeding server resource limits.

Step 16: Disable CDN

If you use a Content Delivery Network (CDN), temporarily disable it to see if it’s causing the issue.

Step 17: Repair Database Tables

Use a plugin or run the built-in WordPress database repair tool to fix any corrupted tables.

Step 18: Reinstall WordPress

As a last resort, consider reinstalling WordPress. Back up your site before proceeding.

Step 19: Seek Professional Help

If none of the above steps work, it’s time to call in the experts. Reach out to WordPress professionals for assistance.

Step 20: Prevent Future WSODs

Learn from your experience. Regularly update themes, plugins, and WordPress itself, and maintain good coding practices to avoid future WSODs.

Conclusion

The WordPress White Screen of Death can be frustrating, but it’s not the end of the world. By following these step-by-step guides and using plain English explanations, we hope to have made the process of fixing this issue a lot less intimidating. Remember to always back up your website before making any changes, and if you’re unsure about anything, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. With patience and persistence, you can get your WordPress website back up and running smoothly.