How to Fix Common WordPress Errors (500 Internal Server Error, 404 Not Found, etc.)

How to Fix Common WordPress Errors (500 Internal Server Error, 404 Not Found, etc.)

WordPress is a fantastic platform, but like any software, it can experience issues from time to time. Whether you’re new to WordPress or a seasoned user, encountering errors like the dreaded 500 Internal Server Error or the frustrating 404 Not Found can feel overwhelming. But fear not—most WordPress errors are fixable with some troubleshooting. Here’s a guide to resolving some of the most common WordPress issues.

1. 500 Internal Server Error

What is it? This is one of the most common errors in WordPress and indicates that something has gone wrong with the server, but the server isn’t able to specify what the problem is.

How to fix it:

• Increase the PHP Memory Limit:
  This error can be due to a memory issue. To resolve it, you can increase your PHP memory limit by editing the wp-config.php file:
  php

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  define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '64M');

• Check for Corrupt .htaccess File:
  Rename your .htaccess file to .htaccess_backup and refresh your site. If the issue is resolved, go to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard and click Save Changes to regenerate a new .htaccess file.
• Deactivate All Plugins:
  A faulty plugin could be causing the error. You can deactivate all plugins by renaming the plugins folder in wp-content. If the error disappears, reactivate each plugin one at a time to find the culprit.
• Re-upload Core Files:
  Sometimes, WordPress core files become corrupt. Download a fresh copy of WordPress, and re-upload the wp-admin and wp-includes folders via FTP.

2. 404 Not Found Error

What is it?
This error typically occurs when a visitor tries to access a page that doesn’t exist, or your permalinks are broken.

How to fix it:

• Update Permalink Settings:
  Go to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard and click Save Changes without modifying anything. This action refreshes your permalink settings and often resolves the error.
• Manually Update .htaccess File:
  If the error persists, edit your .htaccess file. Add the following code:
  apache

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  # BEGIN WordPress
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
</IfModule>
# END WordPress


3. White Screen of Death

What is it?
A blank white screen without any error message, often referred to as the White Screen of Death, can be a sign of exhausted memory or a faulty plugin/theme.

How to fix it:

• Increase the Memory Limit:
  Similar to the 500 error, you may need to increase your PHP memory limit in the wp-config.php file.
• Disable Plugins and Themes:
  Deactivate all plugins by renaming the plugins folder. If this resolves the issue, reactivate the plugins one by one to identify the problematic one. Similarly, switch to a default theme (like Twenty Twenty-One) to rule out theme issues.
• Enable Debug Mode:
  Enable debugging in WordPress by adding the following code to your wp-config.php file:
  php

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


  This will create a debug.log file in the wp-content folder, helping you track the error.

4. Error Establishing a Database Connection

What is it?
This error occurs when WordPress is unable to communicate with your database, often due to incorrect login credentials or a corrupt database.

How to fix it:

• Check Your Database Credentials:
  Verify that the database name, username, password, and host in the wp-config.php file are correct. These should match the settings provided by your web host.
• Repair Your Database:
  Add the following line to your wp-config.php file to enable the database repair feature:
  php

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  define('WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true);


  Then, visit https://yoursite.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php and follow the instructions to repair your database.

• Contact Your Host:
  If the problem persists, there may be an issue with your database server. Contact your web host for assistance.

5. 403 Forbidden Error

What is it?
A 403 error means you do not have permission to access a specific page on your site. This is usually caused by incorrect file permissions or a misconfiguration of security plugins.

How to fix it:

• Check File Permissions:
  Ensure that your files and folders have the correct permissions. Generally, directories should be set to 755 and files to 644. You can adjust this via FTP or your hosting control panel.
• Disable Security Plugins:
  Sometimes security plugins may cause this error by blocking legitimate access. Deactivate these plugins to check if the error resolves.
• Check .htaccess File:
  As with other errors, a corrupt .htaccess file can cause a 403 error. Rename it to force WordPress to generate a new one.

6. 429 Too Many Requests

What is it?
This error occurs when your site is receiving too many requests in a short period, often due to bots, plugins, or DDoS attacks.

How to fix it:

• Disable Plugins Temporarily:
  Deactivate your plugins one by one to see if a specific plugin is causing the overload.
• Contact Your Hosting Provider:
  Your host may have tools to block unwanted traffic or manage server load better.

Final Thoughts

Encountering errors on WordPress can be frustrating, but with the right approach, most issues can be resolved fairly quickly. By following the steps outlined above, you’ll be well-equipped to handle common WordPress errors and keep your website running smoothly. If you’re ever unsure or feel out of your depth, don’t hesitate to contact a WordPress professional or your hosting provider for assistance.