How to fix WordPress white screen of death

The White Screen of Death (WSOD) is one of the most dreaded errors in the WordPress world. It occurs when your website suddenly displays a blank white screen instead of loading properly. This error can be frustrating, especially if you’re not sure what caused it. But don’t worry—the White Screen of Death is usually fixable with a few troubleshooting steps.

In this post, we’ll walk you through the common causes of the White Screen of Death and provide a step-by-step guide to fix it. By the end, you’ll have your site up and running again!

What is the White Screen of Death?

The White Screen of Death is a blank white screen that appears when your WordPress site fails to load. It’s often caused by a PHP error, but since error reporting is disabled by default, you don’t see the actual error message—just a white screen.

Common Causes of the White Screen of Death

1. Plugin or Theme Conflicts: A faulty or incompatible plugin or theme can cause the WSOD.
2. Exhausted PHP Memory Limit: Your site may run out of memory while processing a request.
3. Corrupted WordPress Core Files: Missing or corrupted files in your WordPress installation can trigger the error.
4. Syntax Errors in Code: Errors in your theme’s functions.php file or a custom plugin can cause the WSOD.
5. Large Database or Server Issues: A large database or server misconfiguration can also lead to the WSOD.

How to Fix the White Screen of Death

Here’s a step-by-step guide to troubleshoot and fix the White Screen of Death:

Step 1: Enable Debugging to Identify the Error

WordPress has a built-in debugging feature that can help you identify the root cause of the WSOD.

1. Access your site via FTP or your hosting control panel.
2. Locate the wp-config.php file in your WordPress root directory.
3. Open the file and add the following lines:

   define('WP_DEBUG', true);
   define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
   define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);
   

4. Save the file and refresh your site.
5. Check the wp-content/debug.log file for error messages.

Step 2: Disable Plugins

A faulty plugin is one of the most common causes of the WSOD. To check for plugin conflicts:

1. Access your site via FTP or your hosting control panel.
2. Navigate to the wp-content/plugins folder.
3. Rename the plugins folder to plugins_deactivated.
4. Refresh your site. If it loads, the issue is caused by a plugin.
5. Rename the folder back to plugins and deactivate plugins one by one to identify the culprit.

Step 3: Switch to a Default Theme

A problematic theme can also cause the WSOD. To rule out theme issues:

1. Access your site via FTP or your hosting control panel.
2. Navigate to the wp-content/themes folder.
3. Rename your active theme folder to deactivate it.
4. WordPress will automatically switch to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Three.
5. Refresh your site. If it loads, the issue is with your theme.

Step 4: Increase PHP Memory Limit

If your site runs out of memory, it can trigger the WSOD. To increase the PHP memory limit:

1. Access your site via FTP or your hosting control panel.
2. Locate the wp-config.php file in your WordPress root directory.
3. Add the following line:

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

4. Save the file and refresh your site.

Step 5: Reinstall WordPress Core Files

Corrupted WordPress core files can cause the WSOD. To fix this:

1. Download a fresh copy of WordPress from wordpress.org.
2. Access your site via FTP or your hosting control panel.
3. Delete the old WordPress core files (except wp-config.php and the wp-content folder).
4. Upload the new files from the fresh WordPress installation.
5. Refresh your site.

Step 6: Check for Syntax Errors

If you recently edited your theme’s functions.php file or added custom code, a syntax error could be causing the WSOD.

1. Access your site via FTP or your hosting control panel.
2. Navigate to the wp-content/themes/your-theme folder.
3. Open the functions.php file and check for syntax errors.
4. Correct any errors and save the file.

Step 7: Contact Your Hosting Provider

If none of the above steps work, the issue might be related to your server. Contact your hosting provider for assistance. They can check for server misconfigurations, database issues, or resource limitations.

How to Prevent the White Screen of Death

1. Keep WordPress, Themes, and Plugins Updated: Regularly update your WordPress core, themes, and plugins to avoid compatibility issues.
2. Use Reliable Plugins and Themes: Only install plugins and themes from trusted sources.
3. Enable Regular Backups: Use a backup plugin like UpdraftPlus or BlogVault to restore your site quickly if something goes wrong.
4. Monitor PHP Memory Limit: Ensure your site has sufficient memory by increasing the PHP memory limit if needed.

Conclusion

The White Screen of Death can be intimidating, but it’s usually fixable with a little troubleshooting. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can identify and resolve the issue quickly. Remember to back up your site regularly and keep your WordPress installation, themes, and plugins updated to prevent future errors.

Have you encountered the White Screen of Death before? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below! Let’s help each other build better, error-free websites.

Happy troubleshooting!