How to Fix the Common WordPress Errors (Without Breaking Your Site)

Most WordPress site owners view errors as overwhelming disasters that demand expert help. A 500 Internal Server Error makes them think, “I need to hire someone.” A blank white screen? They assume their site is ruined forever.

But here’s the truth from someone who’s fixed thousands of WordPress errors. How to Fix the Most Common WordPress Errors (Without Breaking Your Site)

90% of common WordPress issues have simple fixes that take just 5-15 minutes – even for non-technical users.

The White Screen? Usually caused by two plugins clashing. Solve it by disabling the plugins via FTP. Database Connection Errors? Often, it’s just a typo in your WP-config.php file, easy to fix with a text editor. 404 errors on all pages? Likely due to corrupted permalinks, which you can regenerate with two clicks in WordPress settings.

The errors seem daunting, but the solutions are simple.

This guide walks you through troubleshooting 23 of the most common WordPress errors in 2026. Each error includes:

• A simple explanation of what it means.
• The most likely causes (ranked by probability).
• Step-by-step fixing instructions with screenshots.

Prevention tips to avoid future issues.

Whether your site is completely down or you’re just seeing warnings, you’ll find a clear solution.

Let’s start with the error that causes the most panic.

What are WordPress Errors?

WordPress errors are issues that stop your site from working correctly. They can be minor problems, like failed file uploads, or big ones, like a complete site crash that locks you out of your dashboard.

These errors can occur for various reasons: plugin conflicts, theme issues, server limits, corrupted databases, or incorrect file permissions. Knowing the type of error you’re dealing with is the first step to fixing it quickly.

The good news? Most WordPress errors follow patterns and have proven solutions. Fixing them quickly can help protect your site traffic and search rankings.

Why Fixing WordPress Errors Quickly Matters

Indeed, here are five key points highlighting the importance of troubleshooting WordPress errors:

1. Visitors bounce when sites break

A white screen or 500 error doesn’t just frustrate you – it sends visitors straight to your competitors. Studies show 88% of users won’t return to a site after a bad experience.

2. Search rankings drop fast.

Google regularly checks your site. If it repeatedly finds errors, your rankings suffer. A site that’s down for just a few hours can lose weeks of SEO progress.

3. Security vulnerabilities widen

Some errors expose security holes. Leaving database connection errors unfixed, for example, can signal weak credentials to attackers scanning for vulnerable sites.

4. Emergency fixes cost more.

Catching errors early means simple DIY fixes. Waiting until your site crashes during a product launch means expensive emergency developer fees and lost revenue.

5. Trust disappears quickly

Professional sites don’t show error messages. Users equate broken websites with unreliable businesses. One “connection timed out” error can permanently cost you a customer.

WordPress Errors Quick Reference Guide

How to use this guide:

1. Find your error message or status code in the table
2. Check the “Main Cause” column to understand what’s happening
3. Apply the “Quick Fix” solution
4. Scroll down to the matching section below for step-by-step instructions.

Common WordPress Errors and How to Fix Them

Absolutely, let’s simplify and make these common WordPress errors easy to understand.

1. The White Screen of Death

Your website displays an entirely blank screen – no content, no navigation, nothing. Sometimes you’ll see a brief error message. This happens when plugins conflict, themes break, or PHP memory is exhausted. It’s fixable in 5-10 minutes once you identify the cause.”

2. 400 Errors

400-series errors indicate client-side problems – issues with how your browser communicates with the server. Each specific code reveals a different issue: 400 indicates malformed requests, 401 requires authentication, 403 blocks access due to insufficient permissions, 404 indicates a page doesn’t exist, and 429 blocks too many requests from a single source.

A. 400 Bad Request

• Your server encounters a problem but cannot identify the cause.
• Mistyped website address, browser cache issues, or server configuration errors.
• Clear browser cache/cookies, check URL accuracy, flush DNS cache, disable extensions, and try incognito mode.

B. 403 Forbidden

• Security features block access to your site or specific resources.
• Incorrect file permissions (755/644), .htaccess rules, security plugins, CDN blocks, or hotlink protection.
• Set directories to 755, files to 644, regenerate .htaccess, disable security plugins temporarily, and check CDN settings.

C. 404 Not Found

• The requested web page doesn’t exist at the specified location.
• Regularly fix broken links and use redirects when you change or delete pages.

D. 405 Method Not Allowed

• Your server rejects the browser’s request method.
• Check recent theme and plugin updates, server settings, and application code for issues.

E. 413 Request Entity Too Large

• The server cannot process requests exceeding size limitations.
• Attempting to upload files beyond the maximum allowed size.
• Increase the maximum request size through server configuration.

F. 429 Too Many Requests

• Server blocks multiple access attempts within short timeframes.
• Protection mechanism against suspicious or automated activity.
• Change the login page URL and test for theme and plugin conflicts.

3. Internal Server Error

Errors numbered between 500 and 599 indicate your website’s server is experiencing difficulties fulfilling requests. These represent various server-side issues requiring different troubleshooting approaches.

A. WordPress 500 Internal Server Error

• This error blocks site access and harms search engine rankings.
• Multiple potential causes make diagnosis challenging. Start by clearing the browser cache and reloading the page. If unsuccessful, pursue more technical troubleshooting steps.

B. 501 Not Implemented

• Your server doesn’t support the functionality required by the browser’s request.
• Similar to 500 errors, it negatively impacts search engine rankings. Try reloading the page, clearing browser cache, and disabling browser extensions. Contact the hosting provider if issues persist.

C. 502 Bad Gateway

• This error can occur when one server is assisting another, and something goes wrong.
•  It’s bad for SEO, so you should fix it quickly. Try reloading the page, clearing your browser history, and turning off any special settings. If that doesn’t work, check your DNS settings or ask your hosting company for help, especially.

D. 503 Service Unavailable

• When you see this, your server is up, but it can’t be reached.
• It won’t affect your search engine ranking, but it’s frustrating for visitors. You can turn off your website’s plugins, switch to a basic design, or check whether your server needs more resources. If none of these work, talk to your hosting company.

E. 504 Gateway Timeout

• This error is similar to the 502 error and occurs when servers have trouble communicating with each other.
• It can hurt your SEO, so try reloading the page, turning off special browser settings, and checking your DNS settings. You can also temporarily disable your content delivery network (CDN). If none of these steps resolves the issue, contact your hosting company.

4. Memory Limit Error

WordPress requires server memory (RAM) to process requests. Your hosting plan allocates a specific PHP memory limit (often 128MB or 256MB by default). When plugins, themes, or processes exceed this limit, you’ll see: ‘Fatal error: Allowed memory size exhausted.

Fix this by increasing the PHP memory limit in wp-config.php:

php

define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);

For the admin area specifically:

php

define(‘WP_MAX_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘512M’);

Contact hosting support if file edits don’t work – they may enforce server-level restrictions.

5. Error Establishing Database Connection

When WordPress cannot connect to your MySQL/MariaDB database, you’ll see: ‘Error establishing a database connection.’ This blocks all site access and admin dashboard functionality.

Common causes:

• Incorrect database credentials in wp-config.php
• Database server down/overloaded
• Corrupted database tables
• Exceeded hosting database connection limits

First check wp-config.php for correct DB_NAME, DB_USER, DB_PASSWORD, and DB_HOST values matching your hosting control panel database settings

6. Exceeded Maximum Upload File Size

Your WordPress site has a limit on how big the files you can upload can be. If you try to upload a file that’s too large, you’ll get an error message. To check your limit, follow these steps:

• Firstly, go to your WordPress dashboard.
• Then navigate to the Media section and click “Add New.”
• Look for the maximum file size limit displayed. This is the largest file you can upload.
• If you need to upload larger files, consider these options:
• Adjusting php.ini: You can increase your upload size limit by editing the php.ini file on your server. However, please note that this method may not work for all wordpress hosting plans, so consult your hosting provider.
• File Compression: If increasing the limit isn’t possible, consider compressing your files before uploading them to reduce their size.

7. Maximum Execution Time Exceeded

When your website performs tasks, it has a time limit to complete them. If it takes too long, it stops, and the task fails. To resolve this issue, you can make changes to a file called php.ini:

• Open your php.ini file.
• Add the line:

max_execution_time = 60

(This sets the maximum execution time to 60 seconds).

• Then save the file.

However, please be aware that this solution may not work in all cases, so it’s advisable to consult your hosting provider for assistance.

8. Failed Auto-Upgrade

Automatic updates sometimes fail and damage your WordPress website. Perform manual updates with proper precautions for safe upgrades:

• Disable all plugins before updating
• Switch to the default WordPress theme, like Twenty Twenty-Four
• Follow WordPress’s manual update instructions carefully
• Create a website backup before updating to safeguard data

9. Failed to Write File to Disk

If you encounter the “Upload: Failed to write file to disk” error when uploading media files, it’s usually due to incorrect file permissions or server issues. Here’s how to address it:

• Check File Permissions: Ensure that the folder where you’re uploading files has the correct permissions (usually 755 or 777 for directories and 644 for files).
• Verify Server Status: If the issue persists, it may be due to server issues. Contact your hosting provider to investigate and resolve any server-related problems.

10. Connection Timed Out

Server limitations can result in a “connection timed out” error, especially on shared hosting plans. Here are the steps to troubleshoot and resolve this issue:

• Deactivate Plugins: Start by deactivating all your WordPress plugins, then reactivating them one by one to determine whether a particular plugin is causing the issue.
• Use Default Theme: While testing, switch to a default WordPress theme, such as Twenty Twenty-One, to rule out theme-related issues.
• Increase Memory Limit: Increase your PHP memory limit, as insufficient memory can cause timeouts. Consult your hosting provider or edit your php.ini file to adjust the memory limit.

11. Secure Connection Error

A secure connection error occurs when your website’s settings aren’t configured correctly, preventing your site from connecting to WordPress.org. This can stop you from updating your core files. Unfortunately, there’s no quick fix for these WordPress errors. Sometimes, you have to wait for a little while, and the problem might go away on its own. If it doesn’t, you can contact your web hosting provider for assistance.

12. Stuck in Maintenance Mode

Updating your website’s core software is crucial for security. WordPress uses a special file called “.maintenance” during updates, but it sometimes isn’t properly removed, leaving your site stuck in maintenance mode. Fortunately, fixing this is straightforward:

• Firstly, use an FTP client to connect to your website’s server.
• Find the “.maintenance” file in your main folder and delete it.
• Your site should go back to normal once you’ve deleted the file.

13. Cloudflare Error 521

Cloudflare is a helpful security and speed service, but it can sometimes have trouble connecting to your server, resulting in a 521 error. To solve this:

• Make sure your server is up and running.
• Check if your server’s firewall is blocking Cloudflare’s IP addresses.
• If needed, contact your web hosting provider for assistance.

14. Images Aren’t Working

Occasionally, WordPress images may not display correctly. If your media library looks like a mess, you might be dealing with broken media files. Various factors, such as plugins or file permission issues, can cause this:

• If you recently added or updated a plugin, try disabling it to see if it’s causing the problem.

• Ensure that your file permissions for uploads are set to 755.
• If these steps don’t work, consider checking for security issues and reaching out to your hosting provider for help.

15. File Type or Page Access Not Permitted

Overall, WordPress restricts some file types to protect your site from security threats. However, this can sometimes prevent users from uploading harmless files. Therefore, to allow more file types, you can use a free plugin like “File Upload Types”.

16. WordPress Syntax Errors

Syntax errors happen when there are problems with the code structure on your site. This usually occurs when you:

• Recently added custom code with mistakes (like typos).
• Installed a new plugin or theme with coding errors.

To troubleshoot, look for the file and line causing the issue. If you can’t find it, try undoing recent code changes or disabling new plugins/themes. You can also enable WordPress debug mode to help identify the problem.

17. SSL Errors

SSL certificates indeed enhance website security. However, setting them up can lead to various WordPress errors. To prevent these issues, configure your certificate correctly from the start. Use your hosting provider’s SSL certificate installer tool, ensure your site uses HTTPS, and renew your SSL certificate when necessary.

18. Corrupted Database

A corrupted file can especially disrupt your WordPress site, resulting in WordPress errors like “Error Establishing Database Connection.” To fix this, restore a backup of your site or add this code to your “wp-config.php” file:

‘WP_ALLOW_REPAIR’, true

Afterwards, your site should return to normal.

19. The Destination Folder Already Exists

When installing a plugin or theme, you might encounter a “Destination folder already exists” error. This typically means the program was previously installed. To resolve it:

• Use your FTP client to access the ”wp-content” folder.
• Find the folder with the program’s name, delete it, and try the installation again.
• Note: Recent WordPress versions allow you to reinstall themes or plugins, even if they are already installed, making this error less common.

20. Locked Out of Your Admin Page

Being locked out of your admin page can be frustrating. Various factors can cause this, from a password typo to issues with your “.htaccess” file. To regain access:

• Refer to a troubleshooting guide.
• Manually change your admin password.
• Create a new admin user using phpMyAdmin.

In other words, these steps can help you regain control of your WordPress website.

21. PHP Errors on WordPress

If something goes wrong with the PHP on your WordPress site, you’ll notice a message or a warning at the top of your WordPress dashboard. This message tells you by all means what the problem is and which files it’s affecting.

These messages are mainly for people who know how to work with PHP and can fix the issue in the website’s code. If you’re not familiar with PHP, trying to fix these errors on your own might make things worse for your site.

But here’s the good news: PHP errors won’t make your site stop working or keep people from using it. So, you can relax knowing that your site is still up and running for your visitors.

22. Chrome’s “Not Secure” Warning

When you use Google Chrome to surf the web, you might have seen a message saying ‘Not Secure’ next to some website addresses:

This message pops up because the website doesn’t have something called an SSL certificate. If your website triggers these messages in visitors’ browsers, it can undermine your site’s trustworthiness, reduce visitor numbers, affect your search engine rankings, and make it harder to convert visitors into customers. To avoid this, you can add an SSL certificate to your website.

Recently, Chrome also started showing a warning called ERR_SSL_OBSOLETE_VERSION for websites that don

23. WordPress Import Problems

Sometimes, you need to bring content into your WordPress site, and that’s normal. Many developers explicitly use plugins to do this. But there can be problems, such as your computer taking too long to load or running out of space.

Here’s how to make it work better:

• Use a faster internet connection if you can.
• Try a tool called WP-CLI to import your stuff.
• If your computer stops too soon, you can make it wait longer by increasing the PHP timeout limit.

Conclusion

In conclusion, troubleshooting WordPress errors is a crucial skill for website owners and developers. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can efficiently diagnose and resolve common WordPress errors, ensuring your site remains reliable, secure, and user-friendly.

Remember that WordPress errors are a regular part of website maintenance, but with the proper knowledge and tools, you can tackle them like a pro and keep your website running smoothly.

FAQs