how to fix WordPress white screen of death

The WordPress “White Screen of Death” (WSOD) is a frustrating issue that can render your website inaccessible. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to resolve this problem and get your site back online.

What Causes the WordPress White Screen of Death?

The WSOD typically occurs due to:

• PHP Errors: Issues in the site’s PHP code, which could be due to plugins, themes, or custom code.
• Memory Limit Exhausted: Insufficient memory allocated to PHP, which can be overwhelmed by resource-intensive plugins or themes.
• Database Problems: Corrupted or overwhelmed databases.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing WSOD

Step 1: Enable Debugging

Start by enabling the WordPress debug mode to identify the specific error causing the WSOD. Add the following line to your wp-config.php file:

define('WP_DEBUG', true);

If you’re uncomfortable editing code, consider using an FTP client like FileZilla or accessing files through the hosting control panel.

Step 2: Increase Memory Limit

Insufficient memory can cause the WSOD, especially with resource-heavy themes or plugins. Increase the PHP memory limit by adding the following line to your wp-config.php file:

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

This changes your PHP memory limit to 256MB. If the problem persists, incrementally increase the memory limit to see if it resolves the issue.

Step 3: Check for Faulty Plugins

Plugins often cause compatibility issues. To identify if a plugin is the culprit:

1. Use FTP or the file manager in your hosting control panel to navigate to /wp-content/.
2. Rename the plugins folder to something like plugins_old.
3. Check your site. If it loads without the white screen, a plugin is likely the issue.
4. Restore the original plugins folder name and then deactivate plugins one by one from the WordPress admin area to isolate the problematic plugin.

Step 4: Switch the Theme to Default

A faulty theme can also trigger WSOD. To check if your theme is the issue:

1. Navigate to /wp-content/themes/ using FTP or file manager.
2. Rename your current theme’s folder (e.g., twentytwenty to twentytwenty_old).
3. WordPress will automatically revert to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-One.
4. If your site loads, the problem is with your theme. Consider updating or changing it.

Step 5: Repair WordPress Database

A corrupted database can lead to WSOD. WordPress comes with a built-in way to repair the database:

1. Add the following line to your wp-config.php file:

define('WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true);

2. Visit yourwebsite.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php and click on ‘Repair Database’.
3. Once done, remove the line from your wp-config.php.

Step 6: Check File Permissions

Incorrect file permissions can also cause the WSOD. Ensure files and directories are set correctly:

• Directories should be 755 or 750.
• Files should be 644 or 640.

You can change file permissions using FTP or through the file manager in your hosting account.

Step 7: Clear Cache

Sometimes, caching solutions can serve a cached version of the WSOD. Clearing your site’s cache through your hosting management panel, WordPress caching plugin, or your browser might resolve the issue.

Step 8: Update WordPress Manually

If all else fails, a manual update of WordPress might be necessary, especially if an update failed midway. Download the latest version of WordPress from WordPress.org. Unzip the package and use FTP to upload the new wp-includes and wp-admin directories to your server. Replace the old directories but keep the wp-content folder intact to avoid losing any themes, plugins, or uploads.

Regular Maintenance to Prevent Future WSODs

• Keep WordPress Updated: Regular updates ensure compatibility and security.
• Update Plugins and Themes: Keep these updated and uninstall unnecessary plugins.
• Optimize Database Regularly: Use plugins like WP-Optimize to maintain your database’s efficiency.
• Implement Regular Backups: In case something goes wrong, you should always have a recent backup to restore.

By methodically following these steps, you can effectively troubleshoot and fix the White Screen of Death in WordPress, ensuring minimal disruption to your website and its visitors.