Beginner’s Guide to Troubleshooting WordPress Errors (Step by Step)

One of the things I’ve always appreciated about WordPress is how much you can do with it, even if you’re not a developer.

But every now and then, something stops working the way you expect. Maybe a plugin update changes something, or a setting quietly causes an issue in the background.

As someone who’s been teaching WordPress for over 13 years, I’ve had the chance to troubleshoot almost every type of issue. From simple fixes to ones that require a bit of digging, I’ve seen how important it is to have a clear, beginner-friendly process.

This guide is here to help you work through those moments calmly and confidently. I’ll walk you through the same steps I take when fixing WordPress sites, whether it’s a missing image, a broken page, or something that just doesn’t look right.

You don’t need to be technical to fix WordPress problems. You just need a process you can trust, and that’s what I’m going to share with you.

What Are WordPress Errors and Why Should I Care?

WordPress errors are small issues that can cause parts of your site to stop working the way they should. Sometimes you’ll see a message like “404 Not Found” or “Internal Server Error.” Other times, things just don’t load correctly, or pages go blank.

Some of the most common WordPress errors I’ve seen include the White Screen of Death, database connection issues, and broken plugin pages. These can show up out of nowhere, even on well-maintained sites.

I care about fixing these quickly because a broken site can feel stressful. It can also look unprofessional to visitors and make people leave before they even get to your content.

Even worse, some issues can quietly slow down your site or create security problems behind the scenes. That’s why I always recommend fixing errors as soon as you spot them. It keeps everything running smoothly and keeps your audience happy.

If you’re seeing a high bounce rate or slow load times, it might be linked to one of these issues. You can also run into problems with SEO or site rankings if errors stick around too long.

The good news is that most of these problems are easier to fix than they look. I’ll walk you through how to troubleshoot them step by step, starting with the first thing I always do when something breaks.

How to Troubleshoot WordPress Errors

Now that you know what WordPress errors are and why they matter, it’s time to learn how to fix them. Troubleshooting these errors may seem tricky at first, but with the right steps, you’ll be able to handle them with ease. 

Here’s a quick overview of all the steps we will cover in the following sections:

Ready? Let’s get your site back up and running!

1. Create a Complete Backup of Your WordPress Site

Before I touch anything on a site, the first thing I do is create a full backup. It doesn’t matter how small the issue looks — having a recent backup gives me peace of mind and a way to roll back if needed.

If you’re already using a backup plugin, make sure you have a fresh copy saved somewhere safe. I usually keep mine in cloud storage like Dropbox or Amazon S3, and I recommend having at least two copies just in case.

One plugin I’ve used on multiple sites is Duplicator. It lets you back up your entire WordPress site, and even store it on services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or S3 with just a few clicks.

If you’re not using a backup plugin yet, then this is a good time to start. You can check out my breakdown of the best WordPress backup plugins to find one that works for your setup.

And if you’re locked out of your WordPress admin area, don’t worry. You can still manually back up your database and files using an FTP client and phpMyAdmin.

2. Research Your Error Message

When something breaks on a WordPress site, the first thing I look for is an error message.

Sometimes it appears in the browser tab, like a “404 Not Found” or “Internal Server Error.” Other times, it shows up inside the WordPress dashboard, like the “HTTP error” in the media library.

If there’s an error message, I always copy and paste it into the search bar on WPBeginner. For example, searching for “Error Establishing a Database Connection” will take you to our full guide on how to fix it.

If you’re seeing something like the image below, it’s a good sign.

That means WordPress is giving you a clue you can use to find a fix.

If your exact error isn’t listed in our troubleshooting library, just search for the keywords or the type of issue you’re facing. You’ll likely find a close match.

You can also check your WordPress site’s error logs for more clues. I’ll show you how to do that in a later step.

3. Clear Your Browser Cache

Sometimes when you’re troubleshooting, the issue isn’t your site at all. It’s just your browser holding on to an outdated version of a page. I’ve seen this happen a lot, especially after someone updates a plugin or changes a setting.

Many browsers temporarily store website content like images, stylesheets, or scripts to help pages load faster. But if your site has changed recently, your browser might not show those changes right away. That can make it seem like something’s broken, even when it’s already fixed.

That’s why I always recommend clearing your browser cache first. It’s an easy way to make sure you’re viewing the most up-to-date version of your site.

If you’re not sure how to do it, here’s my full guide on how to clear your browser cache in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and more.

4. Clear Your WordPress Cache

Even after clearing your browser cache, you might still not see the latest version of your website. That’s because WordPress caching works differently. It stores pages, styles, and scripts on the server side, not in your browser.

To clarify the difference, browser cache is saved on your device and helps you load previously visited pages faster. On the other hand, WordPress cache is saved on your server and helps reduce load time for all visitors.

When I troubleshoot, I always clear both so I know I’m seeing the live version of the site.

The WordPress cache is usually handled by your hosting provider or a plugin like WP Rocket, WP Super Cache, or LiteSpeed Cache. These tools help speed up your site by serving static versions of your pages, instead of rebuilding them on every visit.

That’s great for performance, but when you’re troubleshooting, it can make your fixes seem like they’re not working yet.

Most caching plugins add a ‘Clear Cache’ or ‘Purge All Caches’ option to the WordPress admin bar. I always make sure to click that after I make any changes during troubleshooting.

For details, see my guide on how to clear the cache in WordPress.

Some managed WordPress hosts like SiteGround or Bluehost also run server-side caching. That means you may need to clear the cache from your hosting dashboard as well. If you’re not sure how, check their documentation or contact their support team.

5. Temporarily Deactivate All Installed Plugins

Plugin conflicts are another reason that could break a WordPress site or make some features behave in unexpected ways. All it takes is one plugin update to trigger an unexpected error.

When I suspect a plugin issue, the first thing I do is deactivate all plugins at once. This helps me confirm if the error is plugin-related. From there, I reactivate them one by one to find out which one caused the problem.

If you still have access to your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins » Installed Plugins. Select all plugins using the checkbox, then choose ‘Deactivate’ from the Bulk Actions dropdown and click ‘Apply.’

If you can’t access the admin area, you can still deactivate plugins using FTP or the File Manager app in your hosting control panel. Just connect to your site and rename the plugins folder inside wp-content to something like plugins-deactivated. This will deactivate all plugins at once.

If you’re not sure how to do that, follow this guide on how to deactivate all plugins without accessing wp-admin.

Once your plugins are deactivated, check if the issue is gone. If everything looks normal, you can go back and reactivate each plugin one at a time. As soon as the error returns, you’ll know which plugin is responsible.

From there, you can either uninstall the plugin or look for a better alternative.

6. Switch to a Default Theme

Sometimes the problem isn’t a plugin — it’s the theme. I’ve seen themes with outdated code or poor compatibility completely break the WordPress admin area or cause blank pages.

To rule that out, I recommend temporarily switching your theme to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-Four or Twenty Twenty-Five.

These themes are built and maintained by the WordPress team, so they’re safe to use for testing. If you don’t have a default theme installed on your site, you can install it by clicking on the ‘Add Theme’ button at the top.

For details, see our tutorial on installing a WordPress theme.

If you can access your dashboard, just go to the Appearance » Themes page, activate a default theme, and check if the issue disappears. If it does, your current theme might be the problem.

If you don’t have access to wp-admin, you can switch themes manually by editing your wp-config.php file or using phpMyAdmin.

Here’s a guide that walks you through it step by step: how to disable a WordPress theme via phpMyAdmin.

Once you confirm the issue was caused by the theme, you can either reinstall a fresh copy or look for an alternative theme that’s coded properly and updated regularly.

7. Delete the .maintenance File

WordPress automatically puts your site into maintenance mode when you update plugins, themes, or core files. Normally, it only lasts a few seconds, but sometimes that temporary maintenance mode gets stuck.

If you see a message that says, “Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance. Check back in a minute,” then your site is still trying to load a file called .maintenance.

To fix it, all you have to do is delete the .maintenance file from your site’s root folder. You can do this using an FTP client or by logging into your hosting account and using the File Manager app.

Once that file is gone, your site should come back online right away. If it doesn’t, try clearing your WordPress and browser cache again to see the updated version.

You can also check out my full tutorial here: how to fix the maintenance mode error in WordPress.

8. Enable WP_DEBUG and Check Error Logs

When I can’t find the root cause just by looking around, I turn to error logs. WordPress has a built-in way to display hidden errors, and it starts with enabling something called WP_DEBUG.

To do that, connect to your site using FTP or your hosting file manager. Then open the wp-config.php file in the root folder of your WordPress site.

Find the line that says /* That's all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */ and add the following just above it:

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

This will turn on debugging and send all errors to a file called debug.log located inside the wp-content folder.

After that, reload the page where the error appears. Then go back to wp-content/debug.log and download it. You’ll usually find error messages there pointing to a specific plugin, theme, or line of code. I’ve caught dozens of hidden issues this way that weren’t visible on the frontend.

If you’re not sure how to interpret the log, you can copy the error message and paste it into Google or use it to ask for help from your developer or hosting provider.

You can also follow my full guide here: how to find and access WordPress error logs.

9. Roll Back a Recent Plugin or Theme Update

Sometimes an update goes wrong. I’ve had cases where a plugin update looked fine on the surface but caused subtle errors across multiple pages. When that happens, rolling back to the previous version usually fixes it right away.

If you recently updated a plugin or theme before things broke, that’s a good place to start. You can use a plugin like WP Rollback to quickly revert to a stable version — no coding or WP-CLI required.

Just install the WP Rollback plugin and go to the plugin or theme you want to revert. You’ll see a new ‘Rollback’ link next to it. From there, choose the version that was working for you and follow the prompts.

If you don’t want to use another plugin, you can manually install an older version. Just download it from the WordPress plugin repository and upload it via FTP. This method works, but it’s more advanced and easier to mess up if you’re not careful.

In either case, make sure to create a backup before making changes, just in case you need to switch back again.

For detailed instructions, follow our step-by-step tutorial on how to roll back WordPress updates.

10. Refresh Your Permalinks

WordPress uses something called permalinks to build clean, SEO-friendly URLs. But sometimes, that structure can get out of sync, especially after moving your site, changing slugs, or restoring from a backup.

If you’re seeing 404 errors when clicking on posts or pages, this is one of the first things I recommend fixing. You can rebuild your permalinks in just a few seconds without changing anything else on your site.

In your WordPress dashboard, go to Settings » Permalinks.

The page shows WordPress permalink settings. However, you don’t need to change them.

Simply, scroll down and click the ‘Save Changes’ button without making any changes.

That single click forces WordPress to regenerate your .htaccess file and refresh the permalink rules. In many cases, this instantly fixes the problem.

You can also follow our full tutorial here: how to regenerate your permalinks in WordPress.

11. Back Up and Regenerate the .htaccess File

If your site is showing a 500 internal server error, it might be caused by a broken or corrupted .htaccess file. I’ve seen this happen after migrations or certain plugin installs.

The fix is simple: delete the file and let WordPress create a new one. But before doing that, I always recommend downloading a backup, just in case.

First, connect to your site using an FTP client and open the folder for your domain. Inside, look for the public_html directory.

You should see your .htaccess file there. If it’s missing, your FTP settings might be hiding dotfiles. You can follow our guide on why the .htaccess file may not appear.

To back it up, right-click the file and choose ‘Download’.

Once you’ve saved the backup, delete the original file from your server. Then head to Settings » Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard and click ‘Save Changes’.

That click automatically generates a fresh, working .htaccess file, no manual coding required.

12. Check Site Address and WordPress Address

If your site is redirecting strangely, not loading styles, or logging you out after login, a mismatch in your URL settings could be the issue.

I’ve helped a lot of users fix this when moving their site or switching domains. Even a small mismatch like missing “www” or the wrong HTTP/HTTPS version can cause problems.

In your WordPress dashboard, go to Settings » General. You’ll see two important fields:

• WordPress Address (URL) – This is where your WordPress core files are installed.
• Site Address (URL) – This is what people type in their browser to visit your site.

Both fields should usually match exactly. If you’ve changed your domain or moved the site, double-check that both URLs are correct. Then click ‘Save Changes’.

If you can’t access your dashboard, you can still fix this by editing your wp-config.php file. Add these lines with your correct domain:

define( 'WP_HOME', 'https://example.com' );
define( 'WP_SITEURL', 'https://example.com' );

Be sure to replace https://example.com with your actual domain name.

For more help, check our full guide on fixing WordPress login page redirecting issues.

13. Check Search Engine Visibility Setting

If a website isn’t showing up on Google, one of the first things I check is the Reading Settings screen. WordPress has an option to discourage search engines from indexing your site, and it’s easy to miss.

To review this setting, go to Settings » Reading in your WordPress dashboard.

Now scroll to the bottom of the page.

You’ll see a checkbox labeled ‘Search engine visibility’.

If this box is checked, WordPress is telling search engines to ignore your site.

I’ve seen this happen when someone launches a site and forgets to uncheck it after development.

To fix it, simply uncheck the box and click ‘Save Changes’. This lets search engines start indexing your content again.

If you’re still working on your site and don’t want it indexed yet, that’s totally fine. But instead of hiding the whole site, I recommend setting up a coming soon page instead. It’s better for SEO and lets you start collecting leads early.

You can follow our tutorial on how to create beautiful coming-soon pages in WordPress using SeedProd. It’s the same tool we use when launching new projects.

14. Fix WordPress Email Issues Using SMTP

If your website is not sending email notifications, such as form submissions, password resets, or admin alerts, the issue is usually caused by the hosting server. I’ve seen this happen on many sites where the server wasn’t configured correctly to handle outgoing emails.

The issue becomes more noticeable when you use a contact form plugin. Your visitors may think they reached you, but you never receive their messages.

It also prevents WordPress from sending critical site notifications, including security alerts and warnings about suspicious login activity.

The best solution is to use SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol). It helps ensure that emails from your website are authenticated and successfully delivered to your inbox.

I use WP Mail SMTP on all my sites. It works with Gmail, Outlook, Amazon SES, and other major email services. Plus, it keeps an email log, so you can confirm whether messages were actually sent from your website.

To get started, follow our complete guide on how to fix the WordPress not sending email issue. We’ve also compared the best SMTP providers if you want to explore your options.

15. Scan for Malware and Hacks

When something feels off on a WordPress site, such as unexpected redirects, weird admin activity, or missing files, I always scan for malware first. It’s better to rule it out than to ignore it and risk your data or reputation.

Most beginners don’t install a security scanner right away, which leaves the door open for malicious code to sit quietly in the background. Hackers often hide scripts inside theme or plugin folders, making them difficult to detect.

I recommend scanning your site with trusted tools like Sucuri or Malcare. They’ll scan for backdoors, injected code, and file changes that could compromise your site.

WPBeginner used Sucuri for many years before switching to Cloudflare Enterprise for even stronger firewall protection. I use Cloudflare’s free CDN on all my websites, along with Sucuri’s free scanner for quick checks on my personal sites.

If you suspect your site is already hacked, follow our guide on how to scan your WordPress site for potentially malicious code.

You can also go deeper with our complete WordPress security guide. It walks you through everything I do to keep my own sites safe.

16. Get Better Support When You’re Stuck

By following these troubleshooting steps, you can fix most of the common WordPress errors. However, if you’re still having problems with your site, then there are ways to get extra support.

WordPress has a large and helpful community. You can always ask other WordPress users and experts for help by posting in WordPress support forums or the WPBeginner Facebook group.

When reaching out to the community, it’s important to remember that you’re asking people to take their valuable time and answer your questions for free.

With this in mind, it’s important to:

• Be polite and nice. No matter how upset or frustrated you are, do not use harsh or unpleasant language.
• Mention your problem briefly. This will make it easier for people to see what the problem is and decide whether they can help.
• Describe the troubleshooting steps you have taken so far. This shows that you don’t just want other people to do your work for free. It also means that people won’t waste their time by suggesting things that you’ve already tried.
• Provide context. You can upload screenshots to a cloud image-sharing service and then add the links in your support thread. This can provide a deeper insight into your problem.

For more on this topic, take a look at our guide on how to properly ask for WordPress support and get it.

You can also hire a WordPress support agency to troubleshoot and fix WordPress errors for you.

At WPBeginner Pro Services, we offer affordable Emergency WordPress Support to quickly resolve any WordPress errors you have, including plugin and theme errors, image issues, broken links, 404 errors, comment spam, and more.

Simply choose the service that you need from our WordPress support catalog, and our experts will get to work on troubleshooting and fixing the problem.

How to Avoid Common WordPress Issues (Best Practices)

Prevention is always better than a cure, especially when it comes to your website.

While this guide walks you through fixing WordPress problems, there are also simple habits you can follow to avoid running into most of these issues in the first place:

• Choose better WordPress hosting: A reliable host can solve half your problems before they even begin. We recommend Bluehost for beginners. You can also see our full list of top recommendations in our WordPress hosting comparison guide.
• Install WordPress updates: Make sure your WordPress core, plugins, and themes are always up to date. Updates often include important bug fixes and security patches. See our beginner’s guide on how to safely update WordPress for details.
• Always set up backups: A good backup plugin like Duplicator lets you restore your site in minutes if anything breaks. See our guide on how to back up your WordPress site for more details.
• Set up 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication): This adds an extra layer of login protection to your site. Follow our tutorial on how to add 2FA to WordPress.
• Never use nulled plugins or themes: These can hide backdoors or malware that damage your website. Read our full warning here: Why You Must Avoid Nulled WordPress Plugins and Themes.

FAQs About WordPress Troubleshooting Issues

Even with step-by-step instructions, it’s normal to run into unexpected questions along the way.

That’s why I’ve put together answers to some of the most common concerns WordPress users face when troubleshooting issues on their site.

More Helpful WordPress Troubleshooting Guides

If you’re still seeing strange behavior on your site or you want to be ready for the next time something breaks, we’ve put together a few more tutorials to help you troubleshoot faster and smarter:

• Best WordPress Security Plugins to Protect Your Site (Compared)
• Common WordPress Block Editor Problems and How to Fix Them
• Beginners Guide: Most Common WordPress Mistakes to Avoid
• How to Add a WordPress Query Monitor On Your Site
• How to Easily Add Custom Code in WordPress (Without Breaking Your Site)

We hope this article helped you learn how to troubleshoot WordPress errors. Next, you may want to check out our ultimate WordPress security guide or our tutorial on how to recover a lost password in WordPress.

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