How to Fix Common WordPress Errors: Step-by-Step Guide for 2025

Discover how to fix common WordPress errors like white screen of death, internal server error, error establishing database connection & more. Full 2025 guide with step-by-step solutions.

✅ Introduction

WordPress is powerful, flexible, and user-friendly—but like any platform, it’s not immune to errors. If you’ve ever been stuck with a white screen, plugin conflict, or the dreaded “error establishing a database connection,” you’re not alone. That’s why this comprehensive guide on How to Fix Common WordPress Errors is a must-read in 2025.

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned developer, this article will walk you through how to fix common WordPress errors step by step. Bookmark this post—your WordPress rescue kit starts now!

🔄 1. White Screen of Death (WSOD)

🔍 What It Is:

You visit your website and all you see is a blank white screen—no content, no error message.

🛠 How to Fix:

1. Disable Plugins via FTP or cPanel:

   • Go to /wp-content/plugins/

   • Rename the plugins folder to plugins_old

   • Check if site loads—then re-enable plugins one by one.

2. Switch to Default Theme:

   • Rename your current theme folder in /wp-content/themes/

   • WordPress auto-switches to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Four.

3. Increase PHP Memory Limit:

   • Add define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M'); in wp-config.php

🔄 2. Internal Server Error (500)

🔍 What It Is:

A generic error message indicating something’s wrong on the server side.

🛠 How to Fix:

1. Check .htaccess File:

   • Rename .htaccess to .htaccess_old

   • Visit Settings > Permalinks and click Save to regenerate.

2. Increase PHP Memory Limit (as above)

3. Disable Plugins/Themes via FTP

4. Re-upload WordPress Core Files:

   • Download latest WordPress zip

   • Upload everything except wp-content/ folder and wp-config.php

🔄 3. Error Establishing a Database Connection

🔍 What It Is:

This means WordPress can’t connect to your MySQL database.

🛠 How to Fix:

1. Check wp-config.php:

   • Confirm DB_NAME, DB_USER, DB_PASSWORD, DB_HOST are correct

2. Test Database Connection:

   • Use a PHP script to manually connect to the database

3. Contact Hosting Provider:

   • They may help restart MySQL or resolve database crashes

🔄 4. 404 Page Not Found Error

🔍 What It Is:

Visitors can’t access specific posts or pages; instead, they see a 404 error.

🛠 How to Fix:

1. Reset Permalinks:

   • Go to Settings > Permalinks, click “Save Changes”

2. Check .htaccess File:

   • Ensure WordPress rewrite rules are present

3. Check Custom Post Types & Slugs

🔄 5. Login Page Redirecting or Refreshing

🔍 What It Is:

You log in, but the login page just refreshes or redirects without logging you in.

🛠 How to Fix:

1. Clear Browser Cache/Cookies

2. Delete .htaccess and Recreate (as above)

3. Check Site URL in wp-config.php:

4. Disable Plugins—especially security plugins

🔄 6. Maintenance Mode Stuck

🔍 What It Is:

You see a message like “Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance. Check back in a minute.”

🛠 How to Fix:

1. Delete .maintenance File:

   • Go to the WordPress root directory via FTP

   • Delete the .maintenance file

2. Clear Cache

🔄 7. Image Upload Issues (HTTP Error)

🔍 What It Is:

You get an HTTP error when uploading images.

🛠 How to Fix:

1. Increase Memory Limit

2. Set GD Library:
   Add this to functions.php:

3. Use JPG Instead of PNG or resize image before uploading

🔄 8. Connection Timed Out

🔍 What It Is:

Site takes too long to load and times out.

🛠 How to Fix:

1. Increase PHP Memory Limit

2. Disable Plugins

3. Upgrade Hosting Plan

🔄 9. WordPress Not Sending Emails

🔍 What It Is:

Contact forms and order confirmations don’t send emails.

🛠 How to Fix:

1. Use SMTP Plugin:

   • Recommended: WP Mail SMTP

   • Use Gmail, SendGrid, or Mailgun credentials

2. Check SPF/DKIM Records in DNS

🔄 10. Mixed Content Error (HTTPS Issues)

🔍 What It Is:

Site has SSL installed, but some elements are still served over HTTP.

🛠 How to Fix:

1. Use Really Simple SSL Plugin

2. Update URLs in Database:

   • Use plugin like Better Search Replace

   • Replace http://yoursite.com with https://yoursite.com

🚧 Preventing Common WordPress Errors

To avoid the hassle of fixing recurring problems, follow these best practices:

✅ Keep Everything Updated:

• WordPress Core

• Themes

• Plugins

✅ Use Quality Hosting:

• Choose reliable hosts like Hostinger, SiteGround, or Bluehost

✅ Backup Regularly:

• Use plugins like UpdraftPlus or Jetpack VaultPress

✅ Use a Staging Site:

• Test changes before pushing live

📦 Bonus: Must-Have Tools to Fix Common WordPress Errors

🧠 Final Thoughts

Learning how to fix common WordPress errors is essential for every website owner. Whether it’s a white screen, login loop, or upload issue, you now have step-by-step fixes to resolve them confidently.

Mastering how to fix common WordPress errors will save you time, money, and stress. Keep this guide handy, and bookmark it for future reference in 2025 and beyond!

🙋 FAQs – How to Fix Common WordPress Errors

Q1. What is the easiest way to fix WordPress plugin errors?

Deactivate all plugins and reactivate them one-by-one to identify the culprit.

Q2. How can I fix a slow WordPress website?

Use caching, optimize images, upgrade hosting, and clean up your database.

Q3. What should I do if I get locked out of wp-admin?

Use FTP to rename plugins or themes, or reset your password via phpMyAdmin.

Q4. Can I fix WordPress errors without coding?

Yes, most issues can be resolved via plugins, settings, and simple file edits.

Q5. How often should I back up my WordPress website?

At least weekly, and before major updates or plugin installations.