WordPress has undoubtedly revolutionized the way websites are built and managed. Its user-friendly interface and extensive plugin ecosystem have made it the go-to choice for millions of website owners around the world. However, like any software, WordPress is not without its flaws. Users often encounter various issues that can be frustrating and time-consuming to resolve. In this article, we will explore some of the most common WordPress errors and provide quick and effective fixes to help you overcome them.

From the infamous “White Screen of Death” to plugin conflicts and database connection issues, we will delve into the root causes of these errors and guide you through the WordPress troubleshooting process.

In this WordPress troubleshooting guide, we’ll explore some of the most common WordPress errors and provide quick and effective solutions to get your website back up and running smoothly.

In case the steps outlined in this article not resolve your issue, please reach out to your WordPress hosting company for further assistance.

Table of Contents:

  1. The Package Could Not Be Installed. The Theme Is Missing the style.css Stylesheet.
  2. 404 Post / Page / Custom Post Type Error
  3. The White Screen of Death
  4. Error Establishing a Database Connection
  5. Memory Limit Error
  6. Cannot Modify Header Information – Headers Already Sent
  7. Connection Timed Out Error
  8. Uploaded File Exceeds Maximum Upload File Size
  9. Internal Server Error (500 Internal Server Error)
  10. 502 Bad Gateway Error
  11. 503 Service Unavailable Error
  12. Maximum Execution Time Exceeded in WordPress
  13. 403 Forbidden Error in WordPress
  14. Image Upload Issue
  15. Installation Failed: Could Not Create Directory
  16. Destination Folder Already Exists
  17. ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED
  18. Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance
  19. Changes Aren’t Visible on Your Live Site
  20. Cloudflare 521 Error
  21. WordPress Keeps Logging Me Out
  22. Sorry, You are Not Allowed to Upload This File Type
  23. WordPress Not Sending Email Issue
  24. PHP Errors in WordPress

WordPress Errors Guide and How to Fix Them

Below, you’ll find potential WordPress site problems that you may encounter along with their solution.

1. The Package Could Not Be Installed. The Theme Is Missing the style.css Stylesheet

WordPress error - The Package Could Not Be Installed. The Theme Is Missing the style.css Stylesheet

This is the most common error that occurs when you try to install a WordPress theme and encounter the message above. This usually happens when you mistakenly try to install the wrong file. To fix this error, make sure you are installing the correct theme file. The correct file should be in a zip format and contain the necessary style.css file.

2. 404 Post / Page / Custom Post Type Error

WordPress Error - 404

The 404 error occurs when a post, page, or custom post type is not found. This can happen if the URL of the post or page has been changed, deleted, or if there is an issue with the permalink structure. To fix this error, start by checking the URL of the post or page and ensure it is correct. If the URL is correct, try resetting your permalinks by going to Settings > Permalinks and saving your permalink structure again. If the issue persists, you may need to regenerate your rewrite rules by installing and activating a plugin like “Regenerate Permalinks” or manually updating the .htaccess file.

3. The White Screen of Death

The white screen of death is one of the most dreaded errors in WordPress. It occurs when a website displays a blank white screen with no error messages or any other content. This can happen due to a variety of reasons, such as incompatible plugins or themes, memory limit issues, or PHP errors. To fix the white screen of death, follow these steps:

  • Disable all plugins: Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard and navigate to the “Plugins” section. Deactivate all plugins and check if the white screen disappears. If it does, reactivate the plugins one by one to identify the problematic one.
  • Switch to a default theme: If disabling plugins doesn’t resolve the issue, switch to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-Three. This will help determine if your current theme is causing the error.
  • Increase memory limit: If the white screen persists, you may need to increase the memory limit in your WordPress installation. Open the wp-config.php file and add the following line of code before the “/* That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */” line:
    define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');

4. Error Establishing a Database Connection

This error occurs when WordPress is unable to connect to the database that stores your website’s content. It can happen due to incorrect database credentials, a corrupted database, or issues with the database server. To fix this error, try the following:

  • Check database credentials: Open your wp-config.php file and ensure that the database name, username, password, and host are correct. You can find these details in your hosting account’s control panel.
  • Repair the database: If the database credentials are correct, the next step is to repair the database. You can do this by adding the following line of code to your wp-config.php file, just above the line that says “That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging.”:
    define('WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true);
    Save the file and access the following URL: http://yourwebsite.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php. WordPress will guide you through the database repair process.
  • Contact your hosting provider: If none of the above steps work, it’s possible that there’s an issue with your hosting provider’s database server. Get in touch with their support team and provide them with the details of the error to get further assistance.

5. Memory Limit Error

WordPress relies on PHP to run, and sometimes it can hit the memory limit set by your hosting provider. When this happens, you may encounter a memory limit error, which can cause your website to malfunction or display blank pages. To fix this error, follow these steps:

  • Increase memory limit in wp-config.php: Open your wp-config.php file and add the following line of code before the “/* That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */” line: define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
    This will increase the memory limit to 256 megabytes.
  • Increase memory limit in php.ini: If the above step doesn’t resolve the error, you can try increasing the memory limit in your php.ini file. Locate the php.ini file in your hosting account and look for the line that starts with memory_limit. Change the value to 256M and save the file. If you can’t find the php.ini file, contact your hosting provider for assistance.
  • Contact your hosting provider: If you’re unable to modify the memory limit through the above methods, reach out to your hosting provider and ask them to increase the memory limit for you.

6. Cannot Modify Header Information – Headers Already Sent Error

This error is a common issue that occurs when there is whitespace or other output before the headers are sent to the browser. This can happen due to a plugin or theme conflict or if there is extra whitespace in your theme’s functions.php file. To fix this error, follow these steps:

  • Disable plugins and switch to a default theme: Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard and navigate to the “Plugins” section. Deactivate all plugins and switch to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Three. Check if the error disappears. If it does, reactivate the plugins and switch back to your original theme one by one to identify the problematic one.
  • Remove extra whitespace: If disabling plugins and switching themes doesn’t resolve the error, you may need to remove any extra whitespace in your theme’s functions.php file. Access your theme files via FTP or the file manager in your hosting account. Open the functions.php file and make sure there is no whitespace before the opening <?php tag or after the closing ?> tag.
  • Check for plugin conflicts: If the error persists, it’s possible that there is a conflict between plugins. Activate the plugins one by one to identify the one causing the issue. If you find a conflicting plugin, reach out to the plugin developer for support or look for an alternative plugin.

7. Connection Timed Out Error

The “Connection Timed Out” error occurs when your website takes too long to respond to a request, resulting in a timeout. This can happen due to various reasons, such as server overload, network issues, or misconfigured server settings. To fix this error, try the following:

  • Check your internet connection: Before troubleshooting further, ensure that your internet connection is stable. Sometimes, a weak or intermittent connection can cause the timeout error.
  • Clear browser cache and cookies: Temporarily clear your browser’s cache and cookies to eliminate any cached data that might be causing the issue. Close and reopen your browser, then try accessing your website again.
  • Contact your hosting provider: If the error persists, reach out to your hosting provider and inform them about the issue. They can check if there are any server-related problems causing the timeout error and provide a solution.

8. Uploaded File Exceeds Maximum Upload File Size

WordPress allows you to upload files such as images, videos, and documents. However, there is a maximum upload file size limit set by your hosting provider. If you try to upload a file that exceeds this limit, you’ll encounter an error. To fix this error, follow these steps:

  • Increase maximum upload file size in php.ini: Locate the php.ini file in your hosting account and look for the line that starts with upload_max_filesize. Change the value to a higher limit, such as 64M or 128M, and save the file. If you can’t find the php.ini file, contact your hosting provider for assistance.
  • Increase maximum upload file size in .htaccess: If modifying the php.ini file doesn’t resolve the error, you can try increasing the maximum upload file size in your .htaccess file. Open the .htaccess file in your website’s root directory and add the following lines of code:
php_value upload_max_filesize 128M
php_value post_max_size 64M
php_value max_execution_time 300
php_value max_input_time 300

Save the file and upload the file again.

If you’re unable to modify the maximum upload file size through the above methods, reach out to your hosting provider and ask them to increase the limit for you.

9. Internal Server Error (500 Internal Server Error)

The Internal Server Error, also known as the 500 Internal Server Error, is a generic error message that indicates something is wrong with the server. This error can be caused by various factors, such as incorrect file permissions, plugin conflicts, or corrupted .htaccess file. To fix this error, start by checking the file permissions of your WordPress files and folders. You can also try disabling your plugins one by one to identify any conflicts. If the issue persists, you can generate a new .htaccess file by going to Settings > Permalinks and saving your permalink structure again.

10. 502 Bad Gateway Error

The “502 Bad Gateway” error is a server-related issue that occurs when your website’s server receives an invalid response from an upstream server. This can happen due to various reasons, such as server misconfiguration, network issues, or problems with the upstream server. To fix this error, try the following:

  • Clear browser cache and cookies: Temporarily clear your browser’s cache and cookies to eliminate any cached data that might be causing the issue. Close and reopen your browser, then try accessing your website again.
  • Check server status: Visit your hosting provider’s website or contact their support team to check if there are any server-wide issues or maintenance activities. If the server is undergoing maintenance, you may need to wait until it’s back online.

11. 503 Service Unavailable Error

The “503 Service Unavailable” error occurs when your website’s server is temporarily unable to handle the request. This can happen due to server overload, maintenance activities, or other server-related issues. To fix this error, try the following: reach out your host provider support team to determine if there are any server-wide issues or ongoing maintenance activities. If maintenance is in progress, it may be necessary to wait until the server is back online.

12. Maximum Execution Time Exceeded in WordPress

The “Maximum Execution Time Exceeded” error occurs when a PHP script takes longer to complete than the maximum execution time allowed by your server. This can happen when performing resource-intensive tasks like installing or updating plugins or themes. To fix this error, try the following:

  • Increase maximum execution time in php.ini: Locate the php.ini file in your hosting account and look for the line that starts with max_execution_time. Change the value to a higher limit, such as 300 or 600, and save the file. If you can’t find the php.ini file, contact your hosting provider for assistance.
  • Increase maximum execution time in .htaccess: If modifying the php.ini file doesn’t resolve the error, you can try increasing the maximum execution time in your .htaccess file. Open the .htaccess file in your website’s root directory and add the following line of code: php_value max_execution_time 300. Save the file and try performing the task again.

13. 403 Forbidden Error in WordPress

The “403 Forbidden” error indicates that you don’t have the necessary permissions to access a particular page or resource on your website. This error can occur due to incorrect file permissions, a misconfigured security plugin, or server-related issues. To fix this error, follow these steps:

  • Check file permissions: Access your website’s files via FTP or the file manager in your hosting account. Look for the file or directory that is causing the error and check its permissions. The correct permissions for most files and directories should be 644 or 755. If the permissions are incorrect, right-click on the file or directory and choose “File Permissions” or “Change Permissions” to modify them.
  • Disable security plugins: If correcting file permissions doesn’t resolve the error, it’s possible that a security plugin is causing the issue. Disable any security plugins you have installed and check if the error disappears. If it does, contact the plugin developer for assistance in configuring the plugin correctly.
  • Contact your hosting provider, they can check if there are any server-related issues causing the 403 Forbidden error and provide a solution.

14. Image Upload Issue

WordPress makes it easy to upload and manage images on your website. However, sometimes you may encounter an issue where images fail to upload or display properly. This can happen due to various reasons, such as incorrect file permissions, insufficient server resources. To fix this error, follow these steps:

  • Check file permissions: Access your website’s files via FTP or the file manager in your hosting account. Look for the directory where images are stored (usually /wp-content/uploads/) and check its permissions. The correct permissions for the uploads directory should be 755. If the permissions are incorrect, right-click on the directory and choose “File Permissions” or “Change Permissions” to modify them.
  • Increase server resources: If correcting file permissions doesn’t resolve the issue, it’s possible that your server has insufficient resources to handle image uploads. Contact your hosting provider and ask them to allocate more resources to your account.

15. Installation Failed: Could Not Create Directory

If you encounter the “Installation Failed: Could Not Create Directory” error when trying to install a theme or plugin, it means that WordPress is unable to create the necessary directories on your server. This can happen due to incorrect file permissions or server-related issues. To fix this error, follow these steps:

  • Check file permissions: Access your website’s files via FTP or the file manager in your hosting account. Look for the directory where the theme or plugin should be installed and check its permissions. The correct permissions for most directories should be 755. If the permissions are incorrect, right-click on the directory and choose “File Permissions” or “Change Permissions” to modify them.
  • Contact your hosting provider: If correcting file permissions doesn’t resolve the error, reach out to your hosting provider and provide them with the details of the error. They can check if there are any server-related issues causing the installation failure and provide a solution.

16. Destination Folder Already Exists

Have you ever tried installing a WordPress plugin or theme, only to be greeted with the message “Destination folder already exists”? This error occurs when the folder you’re trying to install already exists in your WordPress installation. To fix this, you can follow these simple steps:

  • Access your WordPress dashboard and navigate to the “Plugins” or “Themes” section, depending on what you’re trying to install.
  • Look for the plugin or theme that is causing the error and click on the “Delete” or “Remove” option.
  • Once the plugin or theme is removed, you can try reinstalling it again.

17. ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED

Imagine visiting your WordPress website only to be met with a discouraging message: “ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED”. This error typically occurs when your browser is unable to establish a connection with the server hosting your website. Here are some steps you can take to resolve this issue:

  • Clear your browser cache and cookies. Sometimes, outdated or corrupted cache can prevent your browser from connecting to the server.
  • Disable your VPN or proxy server temporarily. These tools can sometimes interfere with the connection.
  • Check your internet connection. Ensure that you have a stable internet connection and try accessing other websites to rule out any network issues.
  • Contact your hosting provider

18. Briefly Unavailable for Scheduled Maintenance

This error occurs when WordPress is performing an automatic update or maintenance task. It is meant to ensure the stability and security of your website. However, sometimes this process gets stuck, leaving your website in the maintenance mode indefinitely. Here’s what you can do to fix it:

  • Access your website’s root directory via FTP or file manager in your hosting control panel.
  • Locate the “.maintenance” file and delete it. This file is responsible for initiating the maintenance mode.
  • Refresh your website, and it should be back to normal.

19. Changes Aren’t Visible on Your Live Site

You’ve made changes to your WordPress website, but they aren’t visible on the live site. This can be frustrating, especially if you’ve spent time customizing your theme or updating your content. Here are some possible solutions to this issue:

  • Clear your browser cache: sometimes, browsers cache your website’s data to load it faster. Clearing the cache ensures that you’re viewing the latest version of your website.
  • Flush your WordPress cache: If you’re using a caching plugin like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache, clear the cache within the plugin settings.
  • Disable caching plugins temporarily: If you’re using a caching plugin, it might be conflicting with the changes you’ve made. Disable the plugin while you’re working on your website.
  • Check if the changes are visible on a different device or browser: it’s possible that the issue is specific to your device or browser. Verify if the changes are visible on other devices or browsers. Use private / incognito mode.
  • Contact your hosting provider

20. Cloudflare 521 Error

Cloudflare is a popular content delivery network (CDN) that provides security and performance enhancements to websites. However, sometimes you may encounter a “Cloudflare 521 Error.” This error occurs when Cloudflare is unable to connect to your origin server. Here’s how you can troubleshoot and fix this issue:

  • Check your server’s availability: ensure that your server is up and running without any issues. If there are any server outages, resolve them first.
  • Whitelist Cloudflare IP addresses: Make sure that your server’s firewall or security settings are not blocking Cloudflare IP addresses. Whitelist the IP addresses provided by Cloudflare to establish a connection.
  • Pause Cloudflare: If the error persists, you can temporarily pause Cloudflare by going to your Cloudflare dashboard and on the right side click Advanced Actions > Pause Cloudflare on this site button.

21. WordPress Keeps Logging Me Out

Are you constantly being logged out of your WordPress admin area? This can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to work on your website. Here are some potential solutions to this issue:

  • Clear your browser cookies: Sometimes, corrupted or outdated cookies can cause issues with WordPress login. Clearing your browser cookies ensures a fresh start.
  • Disable your browser extensions: Certain browser extensions or add-ons can interfere with WordPress login. Temporarily disable them and try logging in again.
  • Check your WordPress site URL settings: Ensure that the URL settings in your WordPress dashboard under “Settings” > “General” match the actual URL of your website. If they don’t match, update them accordingly.
  • Increase your PHP memory limit: A low PHP memory limit can cause login issues. You can increase the memory limit by editing your website’s “wp-config.php” file or contacting your hosting provider for assistance.
  • Disable security plugins temporarily: If you’re using security plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri, they might be blocking your login attempts. Disable them temporarily and try logging in again.
  • Reset your WordPress password: If none of the above solutions work, you can reset your WordPress password using the “Lost your password?” link on the login page.

22. Sorry, You are Not Allowed to Upload This File Type

WordPress error - Sorry, You are Not Allowed to Upload This File Type

WordPress has built-in security measures to protect your website from potential threats. However, these security measures can sometimes prevent you from uploading certain file types. If you come across the error message “Sorry, you are not allowed to upload this file type”, here’s what you can do:

  • Install a plugin to allow additional file types: There are plugins available, such as “Enable Media Replace” or “WP Extra File Types,” that allow you to upload additional file types to your WordPress media library.
  • Upload the file via FTP: If you’re unable to upload a file through the WordPress media library, you can upload it directly to your server using FTP. Once uploaded, you can access the file by its URL.

23. WordPress Not Sending Email Issue

Is your WordPress website not sending emails? This can be problematic, especially if you rely on email notifications or contact forms. Here are some possible solutions to fix the WordPress not sending email issue:

  • Install an SMTP plugin. By default, WordPress uses the PHP mail function to send emails. However, this function can sometimes be unreliable. Installing an SMTP plugin, such as “WP Mail SMTP” or “Easy WP SMTP,” allows you to use a dedicated email service provider to send emails.
  • Configure SMTP settings. Once you’ve installed an SMTP plugin, you need to configure its settings. This involves providing your email service provider’s SMTP server details, username, password, and port number. Consult the documentation of the SMTP plugin for detailed instructions.
  • Test your email configuration. After configuring the SMTP settings, send a test email to ensure that WordPress is now able to send emails successfully.
  • Check your spam folder. Sometimes, email notifications from your WordPress website might end up in the spam folder of your inbox. Check the spam folder to ensure that the emails are not being marked as spam by your email provider.
  • If the issue persists, reach out to your hosting provider.

24. PHP Errors in WordPress

Encountering PHP errors in WordPress can be confusing, especially if you’re not familiar with coding. These errors are often displayed as a white screen with an error message or a series of error codes. Here’s what you can do to troubleshoot and fix PHP errors in WordPress:

  • Enable WordPress debugging: By enabling WordPress debugging, you can get more detailed error messages that can help identify the root cause of the issue. To enable debugging, add the following line of code to your website’s “wp-config.php” file: define('WP_DEBUG', true);
  • Check for syntax errors: Syntax errors are a common cause of PHP errors. If you recently made changes to your website’s code, double-check for any syntax errors or missing semicolons.
  • Deactivate recently installed plugins or themes: If the PHP error started occurring after installing or activating a new plugin or theme, it might be incompatible with your WordPress version or other plugins. Deactivate the recently installed plugins or switch to a default WordPress theme to see if the error goes away.
  • Update your plugins, themes, and WordPress version: Outdated software can often lead to PHP errors. Ensure that your plugins, themes, and WordPress version are up to date.
  • Contact a developer: If you’re unable to resolve the PHP error on your own, seek the assistance of a developer. They can help you identify and fix the issue.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored common WordPress errors and provided you with step-by-step solutions to fix them. From resolving installation issues to troubleshooting email problems, these quick fixes will help you keep your WordPress website running smoothly. Remember, if you encounter an error, don’t panic. With the right knowledge and resources, you can overcome any WordPress challenge that comes your way. Always backup your website before making any changes and keep your WordPress installation, themes, and plugins up to date to minimize the risk of errors.