How to Fix the Most Common WordPress Errors (White Screen, 500 Error & More)

Introduction

Nothing is more frustrating than opening your WordPress site and finding a blank screen, cryptic error message, or a completely broken layout. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned user, you’ll eventually need to fix common WordPress errors that can disrupt your site.

The good news? You don’t need to be a developer to solve most of them.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to fix the most common WordPress errors — including the infamous white screen of death, 500 internal server errors, plugin conflicts, and more — using simple, step-by-step instructions anyone can follow.

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1. White Screen of Death (WSOD)

What Is It?

You visit your site and see… absolutely nothing. Just a blank white screen with no errors. This is one of the most common WordPress errors and usually relates to PHP or memory issues.

How to Fix:

• Increase PHP Memory Limit:
  Add this to your wp-config.php:
  define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');

• Disable Faulty Plugins:

  • Access your site via FTP or File Manager

  • Rename the /plugins/ folder to /plugins-disabled/

  • Refresh your site

• Switch to Default Theme:
  Rename your current theme folder (e.g., astra to astra_old)
  WordPress will default to twentytwentyfour if available

 Tip: Enabling debugging can help:
define('WP_DEBUG', true); in wp-config.php

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2. 500 Internal Server Error

This is one of the most intimidating messages — but it doesn’t have to be. The 500 internal server error is another common WordPress error caused by corrupted files, plugin conflicts, or exhausted PHP limits.

 How to Fix:

• Check .htaccess File:

  • Rename .htaccess to .htaccess_old

  • If site loads, go to Settings → Permalinks → Save (this regenerates it)

• Increase PHP Limits:
  Add to wp-config.php:
  ini_set('max_execution_time', 300);

• Deactivate All Plugins:

  • Rename /plugins/ folder as explained above

  • If issue resolves, reactivate plugins one by one

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3. Error Establishing a Database Connection

This WordPress error appears when WordPress can’t talk to your MySQL database.

How to Fix:

• Check Database Credentials:
  Open wp-config.php and verify:

  • DB_NAME

  • DB_USER

  • DB_PASSWORD

  • DB_HOST

• Test Database Access via phpMyAdmin
  If you can’t log in, reset credentials or contact host

• Repair Database:
  Add this to wp-config.php:
  define('WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true);
  Visit: yoursite.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php
  After repair, remove the line.

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4. 403 Forbidden Error

This common WordPress error typically comes from incorrect file permissions, plugin settings, or security rules.

How to Fix:

• Check File Permissions:
  Use FTP to ensure:

  • Files = 644

  • Folders = 755

• Disable Security Plugins Temporarily

• Regenerate .htaccess File:
  Rename .htaccess and save permalinks again

• Contact Hosting Support if all else fails

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5. 404 Page Not Found (for Posts)

Users try to access a post, and bam — a 404 error. Usually, this happens because of broken permalinks.

How to Fix:

• Go to Settings → Permalinks

• Click Save Changes (even without editing anything)

This refreshes permalink structure and can often fix common WordPress errors related to routing.

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6. Locked Out of Admin Dashboard (wp-admin)

You can’t log in to your WordPress dashboard. This can be caused by:

• Incorrect password

• Hacked user

• Plugin conflict

• URL redirection issue

How to Fix:

• Reset Password via phpMyAdmin

  • Go to your database

  • Find wp_users → Edit your user

  • In user_pass, select MD5 and type your new password

  • Save

• Deactivate Security Plugins

• Check .htaccess for Redirects
  Remove any suspicious rules

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7. Failed Auto-Update

Your theme or plugin didn’t update correctly, and now you see a “Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance” error.

How to Fix:

• Connect via FTP

• Delete the file called .maintenance in the root folder

This will remove the message and restore access.

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8. Image Upload Issues

You try to upload an image and get an error like “The uploaded file could not be moved to wp-content/uploads.”

How to Fix:

• Check Folder Permissions:
  /wp-content/uploads/ should be 755

• Check Disk Quota on Hosting

• Use a Plugin Like WP File Manager to inspect folders if you lack FTP access

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9. Syntax Error or Fatal Error

Usually occurs after editing theme files or uploading custom code.

How to Fix:

• Use FTP to access the file mentioned in the error

• Undo the recent changes

• Or replace the file with a clean original version

Avoid editing core files directly unless absolutely necessary.

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10. Mixed Content Error (After SSL)

Your site loads on HTTPS but some assets load over HTTP, triggering security warnings.

How to Fix:

• Use a plugin like Really Simple SSL

• Or manually update internal links to HTTPS in your database using Better Search Replace

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Final Thoughts

These issues might seem scary, but most can be resolved with a few simple steps.

If you can:

• Access your site files via File Manager or FTP

• Edit a few settings

• Follow this guide

Then you can fix common WordPress errors confidently without needing to hire a developer.

Still feel stuck?

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Talk to the WPWala Experts

We help business owners and non-tech users fix common WordPress errors every day — from white screens to login locks to broken plugins.