10 Most Common WordPress Errors and How to Debug Them

Easy to install, highly customizable, and free-these are the few top reasons why WordPress powers 30% of the internet. Every day, millions of people join this global community. However, it does not mean it is free of all WordPress errors. Like any other platform, this globally recognized CMS may have some small-big issues that can make you crazy. Into this post we’ll explore the most common WordPress errors and how to debug them.

If you’re planning to initiate a blog or site on WordPress here, we’re disclosing the ten most common WordPress errors and their quick solution.

Learn how to fix them ahead of time.

10 Most Common WordPress Errors

and How to Debug Them

1 – The Internal Server Error Common WordPress Errors Debug

Internal server error, also known as ‘500 Internal Server Error, is a standard WP error that most WP users experience at least once in their lives. The issue with a theme’s function and plugins is usually responsible.

First, you may check for the corrupted .htaccess file to fix this error. Access this file and name it something like .htaccess old. Save the file and reload your site to see if the issue has gone through.

If the error is still there, try increasing the PHP memory limit. A fantastic post on how to Fix 500 Internal Server Errors in WordPress is available.

2 – The White Screen of Death

The white screen of death is an error in which you see a plain white screen without any message. There can be various possible causes for this error. There is a possibility that the PHP memory of your site has been exhausted. Increase the PHP memory limit and reload your website. However, if your website already has an adequate PHP memory limit, you should try another method.

Disable all the plugins you have installed on your site. Re-enable these plugins and see which plugin is causing this error.

3 – The Syntax Error

This error usually arises when you try to add code snippets to your WordPress website but mistakenly miss something. It can be the syntax, bracket, one extra comma, etc. If you are unsure of the exact problem, you can use the following debugging tools to debug the code.

• JS Fiddle
• Cloud 9
• Debug Mode
• JS Bin, etc.

4 – Establishing a Database Connection Common WordPress Errors Debug

It is another WP error that you may come across. It often occurs when you use the wrong database credentials (DB host, DB username, DB password).

To resolve this issue, the very first thing you have to do is ensure that you’re receiving the same message on both sides (back end & front end) of your website. In case they are different, it means your database is corrupted or if they are the same, you have to add the following code to your WordPress configuration PHP file.

This code will repair your file. After completing the repair process, don’t forget to remove this message from your wp-config.php file. Note- Don’t forget to create a site backup before fixing this error.

5 – Sidebar Below Content Error

It is one of the most irritating errors in WordPress that is directly associated with the appearance of your site. CSS or HTML errors can be the primary culprits for this error. There is a possibility that you have forgotten to close HTML or CSS tags.

If you’re using a custom theme, the problem with float property or width ratio can also be responsible. Make sure you have set the correct balance for your custom theme.

6 – Memory Exhausted Common WordPress Errors Debug

When you encounter a memory exhausted error, you see an error message like ‘Fatal error: memory size exhausted. It often happens when you use by default memory size limit. To resolve this error, you have to add the following code to the primary PHP tag of your WordPress configuration file.

This code will increase the memory limit up to 64M.

7 – Returning 404 Error

It is another most common error most WP users face at some point. A couple of things play a crucial role in bringing Returning 404 error. However, the most common among them is the corrupted .htaccess files.

If you see a 404 error message on just one page of your site while the other pages are working accurately, you probably need to configure your permalinks setting. To reconfigure the permalinks, you must first navigate to Settings>Permalinks and then hit “Save Changes” Now, your settings are updated.

If this method isn’t working for you, try updating the .htaccess file manually. For the same, you have to log in to your server through the File Transfer Protocol. Next, modify your .htaccess file. The simplest way to do this is to make the file writable and change its permission to 666. Now again, update your permalink settings.

Check if the error has disappeared. Note- Do not forget to change the permission back to 660 if the issue has been resolved.

8 – Missing Buttons & White Text Common WordPress Errors Debug

Sometimes, you see white spaces in the WordPress visual editor instead of buttons. Most of the time, it is due to a tiny error you can fix quickly.

Go to your admin panel and check if JavaScript is working correctly. Check if small MCE files are not corrupted or missing. Sometimes, this error can be resolved by clearing the browser cache. If these solutions are not working, add the code given below into your WordPress configuration PHP file just after the opening tag.

define(‘CONCATENATE_SCRIPTS’, false);

9 – Image Uploading Issues

If you are experiencing the broken image issue on site, it is probably because of an inaccurate directory or file permission in a WordPress installation.

You can fix it using the FTP client, such as FileZilla. Just access your site using FTP, and change the permissions of your image directory.

10 Login Page Redirecting

You try to log into your site, but instead of accessing your dashboard, you are redirected to the login page. It could be issued with incorrect values for home URL or site URL fields. One of the most straightforward solutions is to clear the cache & cookies and restart your browser.

Final Words

We hope this post helped you learn about the most common WP errors ahead of time and made you aware of how to fix them.