Quick diagnostics
Most errors come from plugin conflicts, theme issues, or corrupted caches. Follow these simple steps to isolate and fix without code.
Step-by-step fixes
Fix 404 errors
Go to Settings → Permalinks and click Save to refresh. Check .htaccess if needed. For missing pages, restore or set 301 redirects.
Resolve White Screen of Death
Disable plugins by renaming /wp-content/plugins via FTP, then re-enable one by one. Switch to a default theme to rule out theme issues.
Handle 500/internal errors
Increase PHP memory in wp-config.php, check .htaccess for conflicts, and review error logs. Disable conflicting plugins.
Fix broken layouts after updates
Clear caches (plugin/host/CDN). Regenerate CSS/JS in your cache plugin. Roll back the last plugin or theme update if needed.
Repair database issues
Add define('WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true); then run /wp-admin/maint/repair.php. Remove the line after repair. Always back up first.
Restore from backup if needed
If fixes fail, restore a recent backup to staging, verify, then deploy to production. Keep backups current.
Checklist
- Permalinks refreshed
- Caches cleared
- Plugins/themes tested and conflicts isolated
- Error logs reviewed
- Backups available
- Redirects set for missing pages
FAQ
How do I find the error log?
Check your host’s control panel logs or enable WP_DEBUG_LOG in wp-config.php to write errors to /wp-content/debug.log.
Will deactivating plugins break my site?
Temporarily, some features may pause. Reactivate one by one to find the culprit, then replace or update it.
What if permalinks keep breaking?
Check for security/firewall rules or malformed .htaccess. Ensure your host allows mod_rewrite and friendly URLs.
Final thoughts
Fix issues in order: refresh permalinks, clear caches, isolate plugins/themes, and read logs. Keep backups handy and test major changes on staging first to avoid surprises.