WordPress White Screen: How to Fix the Dreaded Issue

Oh no, the dreaded white screen of death on your WordPress site! It’s like your website just decided to take a nap, and now you’re left staring at a blank page.

Don’t panic! This issue is pretty common and can be fixed with some straightforward troubleshooting steps. Let’s dive in and get your site back up and running.

What is WordPress White Screen?

The WordPress white screen of death (WSOD) is when your website shows a blank white screen instead of its usual content. This can happen to your entire site, the admin area, or just certain pages. It’s typically a sign that something has gone wrong with your site’s code or server configuration. Unlike other errors that display specific messages, the WSOD offers no clues, making it particularly frustrating to diagnose.

The white screen can be entirely white:

Or you can have this error message “there has been a critical error on your website”.

Common Causes

Before we jump into solutions, let’s quickly look at what might be causing this problem:

Theme or Plugin Conflicts

Sometimes, new themes or plugins don’t play well with others. If you recently added or updated a theme or plugin, it could be the source of the issue.

Memory Limit Exhaustion

Your site might be running out of allocated memory. This can happen if your site has grown and now requires more resources than initially allocated by your hosting provider.

Coding Errors

Mistakes in your site’s code can break things. This could be due to a poorly coded theme or plugin, or even a simple typo in one of your files.

Server Issues

Problems on the server end can also lead to a white screen. These can include server misconfigurations or temporary downtime.

Troubleshooting Steps

Here are some steps you can take to identify and fix the issue:

Enable Debugging Mode

Turning on debugging can help you pinpoint the issue.

• Open your wp-config.php file.
• Add the following line of code:

define('WP_DEBUG', true);

• Reload your site to see if any errors are displayed.

Deactivate All Plugins

Plugins are often the culprits behind the white screen.

If you can still access the admin area:

• Access your WordPress dashboard and go to the Plugins section.
• Deactivate all plugins.

If you can’t access the dashboard:

• Rename the plugins folder in wp-content to plugins_old.
• Check your site. If it works, reactivate the plugins one by one to find the problematic one.

Switch to a Default Theme

Themes can also cause issues.

If you can still access the admin area:

• Access your WordPress dashboard and go to Appearance > Themes.
• Activate a default theme like Twenty Twenty-One.

If you can’t access the dashboard:

• Rename your current theme’s folder in wp-content/themes.
• Check your site. If it works, your theme is the issue.

Increase Memory Limit

Increasing the PHP memory limit can resolve memory exhaustion issues.

• Open your wp-config.php file.
• Add the following line of code just before “That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging.”:

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

• Save the file and reload your site.

Change PHP Version

Sometimes, the PHP version your site is running on might be causing the issue. Upgrading or downgrading the PHP version can help.

• Access your hosting control panel.
• Find the PHP version settings.
• Change to a different PHP version (preferably a newer one).
• Save the changes and reload your site to see if the issue is resolved.

Clear Cache

Clearing your site’s cache can resolve the white screen issue, especially if you’re using a caching plugin.

• Clear the cache from your caching plugin’s settings.
• If you can’t access the dashboard, manually delete the cache folders via FTP or your hosting control panel.

Remove Spaces in functions.php

Extra spaces in your functions.php file can cause issues.

• Open the functions.php file of your active theme.
• Ensure there are no extra spaces before <?php or after ?>.
• Save the file and reload your site.

Advanced Solutions

If the basic steps don’t work, try these advanced solutions:

Check for Coding Errors

Review any recent changes to your theme or plugin files for errors.

• Look for syntax errors or misplaced code.
• Use a code editor to help you identify any issues.

Examine Server Configuration

Your server settings could be causing the problem.

• Check your server logs for errors.
• Contact your hosting provider for assistance.

Restore from Backup

If all else fails, restoring your site from a recent backup might be the best solution.

• Ensure you have a reliable backup solution in place.
• Follow your backup provider’s instructions to restore your site.

Preventive Measures

To avoid future white screen issues, follow these tips:

Regular Updates

Keep your WordPress core, themes, and plugins updated.

• Regular updates ensure you have the latest security patches and bug fixes.

Use Reliable Themes/Plugins

Only use themes and plugins from reputable sources.

• Check reviews and ratings before installing new themes or plugins.

Maintain Backups

Regularly back up your site so you can quickly restore it if something goes wrong.

• Use a reliable backup solution and schedule regular backups.

Conclusion

Dealing with the WordPress white screen can be frustrating, but with these steps, you should be able to fix it and get your site back online. If you’re still having trouble, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Happy troubleshooting!