The WordPress white screen of death can be a frustrating issue for any website owner. This problem usually causes your site to appear completely blank, leaving you without any clues on how to fix it.
Addressing this problem quickly is essential to minimizing downtime and maintaining your site’s credibility. Understanding the steps involved will help you tackle the White Screen of Death effectively and confidently.
In this blog, we’ll discuss several methods that will enable you to troubleshoot and restore your website to its normal functioning state.
Let’s get started!
What is WordPress White Screen of Death?
The White Screen of Death (WSOD) is a common issue in WordPress. When this happens, you visit your site and only see a blank screen. This can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your content.
Several factors can cause the WSOD. Here are some common triggers:
- Exhausted PHP Memory Limit: This occurs when your site uses more memory than allowed.
- Plugin Conflicts: Sometimes, plugins do not work well together, causing errors.
- Theme Issues: An outdated or incompatible theme can lead to problems.
- Syntax Errors: Mistakes in your code, like missing semicolons, can stop WordPress from running.
To troubleshoot the WSOD effectively, you should identify the root cause.
How to Fix WordPress White Screen of Death Issue?
Method 1. Deactivate All Plugins
To begin troubleshooting, deactivating all plugins is often the first step. This can be done easily through your WordPress admin dashboard if you can access it.
Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
Next, select all plugins and use the Bulk Actions dropdown to choose “Deactivate.”
If you cannot access the dashboard, you can disable plugins via FTP.
Connect to your site using an FTP client like FileZilla.
Navigate to the wp-content folder. Then right-click on the Plugins folder and select Rename.
Doing so, all plugins will be deactivated.
If this solves the issue, then enable plugins one by one and identify the plugin that’s causing the issue. Later, replace that plugin with a suitable alternative.
Method 2. Revert to Default Theme
Sometimes, the problem lies within your active theme. If plugins did not solve the issue, reverting to a default theme might help.
If you have access to the admin dashboard, temporarily change to a default WordPress theme, like Twenty Twenty-One.
To change the theme through the WordPress admin area, go to the WordPress dashboard, then click on Appearance > Themes.
Activate one of the default themes, like Twenty Twenty-One.
If you cannot access the admin, use FTP again. Go to the wp-content/themes folder.
Right-click on the folder and rename your active theme’s folder. This will make WordPress revert to a default theme automatically.
If changing the theme removes the white screen, you know that the issue lies within your custom theme.
Method 3. Increase Memory Limit
Increasing the memory limit in WordPress can resolve the white screen issue. There are several ways to achieve this, depending on your hosting configuration.
3.1 Alter wp-config.php
To increase the memory limit using the wp-config.php file, follow these steps:
Use an FTP client or your web host’s file manager to access your files.
Locate wp-config.php. You’ll find this file in the root directory of your WordPress installation.
Open wp-config.php and add the following line above the line that says, “That’s all, stop editing!”
define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);
Make sure to save and upload the file back to your server.
This change will set the memory limit to 256MB, which is often sufficient for most sites.
3.2 Adjust .htaccess File
If you prefer to use the .htaccess file, here’s what you need to do:
Access your .htaccess file. This file is located in the root directory of your WordPress site.
Open it using a text editor and add the following line:
php_value memory_limit 256M
Save your changes and close the editor.
Note that changes to .htaccess may not work on all servers. If it doesn’t, consider using another method to increase memory.
3.3 Modify php.ini File
You can also increase the memory limit through the php.ini file. This method is effective if you have access to it.
Locate the php.ini file. This file can be found in your hosting account, typically in the root or a specific PHP folder.
Open php.ini. Use a text editor to edit the file.
Add or modify the memory limit line: Look for a line that starts with memory_limit and change it to:
memory_limit = 256M
If the line does not exist, add it.
Save your changes to apply the new settings.
After making any of these adjustments, restart your web server if needed and check if the white screen issue is resolved.
If you’re not comfortable modifying these files, reach out to a developer for assistance.
Learn here what common WordPress mistakes to avoid with solutions.
Method 4. Restore Recent Backup
If the above steps do not fix the issue, restoring a recent backup is a reliable solution.
Make sure you have a backup system in place before emergencies arise.
To restore from backup, access your hosting provider’s control panel or backup plugin.
Some reliable backup plugins are UpdraftPlus, BackWPup, and BlogVault.
Check out the best backup plugins for WordPress.
Locate the recent backup and select the option to restore.
Make sure to follow the provider’s instructions carefully.
Restoring a backup returns your site to a previous state before the issue occurred. This option is crucial if other methods fail.
Method 5. Check for Syntax Errors
Checking for syntax errors is a key step in fixing the White Screen of Death (WSOD) on your WordPress site.
Syntax errors can occur in theme or plugin files, often due to recent changes you made, such as installing a new plugin or editing code.
To check for errors, access your WordPress files using an FTP client like FileZilla or through your hosting control panel’s File Manager.
Navigate to the wp-content directory and find the relevant themes or plugins folder. Open the file you suspect has issues in a code editor.
Look for common syntax errors, such as:
- Missing Semicolons: Each line of PHP code should end with a semicolon.
- Mismatched Brackets: Ensure every opening bracket { has a corresponding closing bracket }.
- Unclosed Strings: Make sure all strings (text in quotes) are properly closed.
If you find any errors, correct them, save the file, and upload it back to your server. After making these changes, refresh your website to see if the WSOD is resolved.
If you’re unsure about any errors, consider seeking help from a more experienced developer or a WordPress support forum.
Recommended Read: How to Fix 400 Bad Request Errors
Method 6. Enable Debug Mode
To start fixing issues, you need to enable WordPress Debug Mode. This mode shows PHP errors directly on your site.
Use an FTP client or your hosting file manager to locate the wp-config.php file in the root directory.
Find the line that says define(‘WP_DEBUG’, false);. Change it to define(‘WP_DEBUG’, true);.
Save your changes: This action will display errors and warnings on your website, making issues more visible.
Be cautious; it’s best to disable this mode when not troubleshooting to avoid displaying sensitive information to users.
Method 7. Clear WordPress Cache
First, determine where the white screen occurs. Is it on the front end, the admin area, or both?
- Front End: Check if the issue shows up for regular visitors.
- Admin Area: Ensure you can access your dashboard.
To test, try accessing your site from different devices or browsers. Clear your browser cache as well since cached pages may display old content.
You can clear WordPress cache using either a caching plugin (like WP Super Cache, W3 Total Cache, or WP Rocket) or server-side caching provided by your host.
Check out the best cache plugins in WordPress that can speed up your website.
If your host provides server-side caching, log in to your hosting account, find the caching section, and select the option to clear the cache. After clearing the cache, check your website to see if the WSOD is resolved.
To prevent future issues, consider clearing your cache regularly, especially after making changes to your site.
Method 8. Fixing White Screen Errors on Long Posts or Pages
If your WordPress site encounters the white screen of death only on lengthy posts or pages, it might be due to PHP’s text processing limits. You can resolve this by increasing the recursion and backtrack limits in the wp-config.php file using the following code:
/** Trick for long posts */
ini_set(‘pcre.recursion_limit’, 20000000);
ini_set(‘pcre.backtrack_limit’, 10000000);
Adding this should help WordPress handle larger content without running into memory issues.
Method 9. Contact Hosting Provider
Reaching out to your hosting provider can be essential when you face the WordPress white screen of death. They hold valuable knowledge about your server and can help identify issues you may not see.
Wan to make your website super fast so that your visitors get an amazing user experience?
Check this blog to discover 20+ tips to speed up your WordPress website.
How to Prevent White Screen of Death in WordPress?
To avoid the WordPress white screen of death, take these proactive steps:
- Keep Plugins Updated: Regularly check for plugin updates. Outdated plugins can cause conflicts that lead to crashes.
- Choose Reliable Plugins: Use plugins from trusted sources. Read reviews and check ratings before installing.
- Limit Plugin Usage: Only keep essential plugins active. The more plugins you have, the higher the chance of issues.
- Use a Stable Theme: Select a well-coded theme. Make sure it is regularly updated and supported.
- Set Up Regular Backups: Use a reliable backup plugin. Regular backups ensure you can quickly restore your site if an error occurs.
Following these steps can reduce the risk of encountering the White Screen of Death in the future. Being proactive helps keep your WordPress site running smoothly.
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Wrapping Up
Fixing the WordPress White Screen of Death may seem daunting, but with the right approach, you can quickly restore your site. By systematically troubleshooting plugins, themes, memory limits, and syntax errors, you’ll be able to pinpoint the cause and resolve the issue.
With the above methods discussed in the blog, you can ensure a smooth and hassle-free WordPress experience, so the next time a blank screen appears, you’ll know exactly how to bring your site back to life!
Also, we recommend using Nexter to make your website more engaging, functional, safe, and secure.
Nexter provides a reliable theme that is super fast and compatible with many popular plugins. It also provides 90+ Gutenberg Blocks, such as Login & Registration Form, Dynamic Content, Table of Contents, Image Gallery, and many more.
These blocks help you make your site stand out from competitors. Check out the complete list of Gutenberg Blocks available in Nexter.
FAQs on WordPress White Screen of Death
What is the difference between the White Screen of Death and a 500 Internal Server Error?
The White Screen of Death typically shows a blank screen without any error messages, while a 500 Internal Server Error displays a message indicating a server issue. Both can be caused by similar factors, but the troubleshooting steps may differ.
How can I troubleshoot a WordPress site showing a white screen after migration?
After migration, clear your browser cache and refresh the page. If the white screen persists, check for issues in the .htaccess file. You can also increase the PHP memory limit in your hosting settings to fix potential memory-related problems.
What should I do if I encounter a white screen while editing on WordPress?
If you see a white screen while editing, try switching to a default theme. If that doesn’t work, disable all plugins to identify any conflicts. Once you discover the cause, you can restore your previous theme or plugin settings.
Is it safe to edit files directly?
Editing files directly can be risky if you’re not familiar with coding. Always create backups before making changes, and consider using a staging environment for testing.
Why is my website displaying a blank white page on Chrome browser?
A blank white page in Chrome may indicate a cache issue or a conflict with a browser extension. Clear your browser cache or try accessing the site in Incognito mode. This can help determine if the problem is related to cached data.
