Imagine this: You’re working on your WordPress website, making some updates, and suddenly, without warning, your site goes blank. The once-familiar webpages are now a blank canvas—a phenomenon commonly referred to as the “White Screen of Death” (WSOD). This eerie blank screen can be distressing for WordPress users, but fear not; it’s a common issue with various causes and solutions. In this guide, we’ll check out the reasons behind the White Screen of Death in WordPress, step-by-step troubleshooting techniques, and strategies to revive your website and get it back to life.
Understanding the White Screen of Death (WSOD)
The White Screen of Death is a term used to describe a situation where a WordPress website displays a completely blank white screen, devoid of any content or error messages. It can affect both the front-end (what visitors see) and the back-end (your WordPress dashboard). While it may seem ominous, the WSOD is essentially WordPress’s way of telling you that something has gone wrong, causing it to fail to load or display any content.
Common Causes of the White Screen of Death
Several factors can trigger the White Screen of Death in WordPress. Here are some of the most common culprits:
Theme or Plugin Conflict
A poorly coded or incompatible theme can cause conflicts that result in the WSOD. It might be due to a recent theme update or installation. Plugins are also a common cause of WSOD. Incompatible or conflicting plugins can lead to site crashes. New plugin installations or updates can trigger this issue.
PHP Errors
A small typo or syntax error in your theme’s functions.php file or a plugin can lead to the WSOD. In addition, if your website exceeds the allocated PHP memory limit, it can cause the site to crash with a white screen.
Database Issues and Hacked Website
Database corruption can cause WordPress to fail to load, leading to the WSOD. A compromised WordPress website can also result in the WSOD. Hackers may inject malicious code or take control of your site.
Read: How To Fix A Hacked WordPress Site Without Losing Data
Server Configuration Problems
Incompatibility between your WordPress version and the PHP version running on your server can cause problems. High server resource usage due to traffic spikes or inefficient scripts can also lead to server crashes and the WSOD.
Now that we’ve identified potential causes let’s dive into the steps to diagnose and fix the White Screen of Death.
Read: CMS Developer For Crafting Digital Experiences
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting for the White Screen of Death
Firstly, ensure that your internet connection is stable. Sometimes, the WSOD may be due to network issues that prevent your browser from loading the site correctly. Access other websites to verify that your internet connection is working as expected.
Also, before diving into more complex troubleshooting, try refreshing the page in your web browser. It’s possible that the WSOD occurred due to a temporary glitch.
Access the Dashboard
If the front-end is showing the WSOD, attempt to access the WordPress admin dashboard. If you can log in successfully, you can narrow down the issue to a theme or plugin conflict.
Check for Recent Changes
Think about any recent changes you made to your website. This could include theme installations, plugin updates, or code modifications. Revert any recent changes you suspect might have caused the WSOD. This may involve disabling newly installed plugins or reverting to a previous theme version.
Enable Debugging Mode
WordPress has a debugging mode that can help you identify the cause of the WSOD. To enable it, add the following code to your site’s wp-config.php file.
define( 'WP_DEBUG', true ); define( 'WP_DEBUG_LOG', true ); define( 'WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false );
After enabling debugging mode, reload your website. Any PHP errors or warnings will be logged in a debug.log file in your site’s wp-content directory. Review this log to identify specific error messages.
Increase PHP Memory Limit
Insufficient PHP memory can lead to the WSOD. To increase the memory limit, edit your site’s wp-config.php file and add the following line:
define( 'WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M' );
Replace ‘256M’ with the desired memory limit value. Save the file and check if the WSOD persists.
Check for Plugin Conflicts
Deactivate all plugins and then reactivate them one by one, checking your website after each activation. If the WSOD reappears after activating a specific plugin, it’s likely the culprit. Consider using the Health Check & Troubleshooting plugin to isolate plugin conflicts without affecting your live site.
Switch to a Default Theme
Activate a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-One to see if the WSOD disappears. If it does, the issue is likely related to your previous theme. You can then investigate further or contact the theme’s developer for support.
Verify File Permissions
Incorrect file permissions can lead to errors. Ensure that your WordPress files and directories have the appropriate permissions. Typically, folders should have a permission of 755, and files should have a permission of 644.
Examine the .htaccess File
A corrupted or misconfigured .htaccess file can cause the WSOD. You can try replacing it with a default .htaccess file and then modify it as needed.
Database Check
Perform a database check to ensure it isn’t corrupted. WordPress includes a built-in database repair tool that you can use by adding the following code to your wp-config.php file:
define( 'WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true );
Access the repair tool by visiting http://yourwebsite.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php and follow the instructions.
Server Resources
If your server resources are exhausted, consider upgrading your hosting plan or optimizing your website to reduce resource usage.
Security Scan
Conduct a security scan to check if your site has been compromised. Use a security plugin or an online security scanner to identify and remove any malicious code.
Preventing Future WSOD Incidents
Once you’ve successfully resolved the White Screen of Death issue on your WordPress website, it’s essential to take steps to prevent it from happening again:
- Regular Backups: Regularly back up your website, including its files and database. Having recent backups enables you to restore your site quickly if issues like WSOD occur.
- Keep WordPress Updated: Ensure that you are using the latest version of WordPress, themes, and plugins. Developers often release updates to address bugs and security vulnerabilities.
- Plugin and Theme Selection: Choose plugins and themes from reputable sources with a track record of updates and support. Avoid using outdated or unsupported plugins and themes.
- Limit Plugin Usage: Only install and activate plugins that are necessary for your site’s functionality. Excessive plugin usage increases the risk of conflicts and issues.
- Monitor Website Health: Use monitoring tools or services to keep an eye on your website’s health and performance. This can help you detect issues before they become critical.
- Secure Your Website: Implement security measures like strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and security plugins to protect your site from hacking attempts.
- Regular Maintenance: Perform routine maintenance tasks, such as cleaning up unnecessary files, optimizing your database, and clearing caches.
To Sum Up
The White Screen of Death in WordPress can be a daunting experience, but with a systematic approach to troubleshooting, it’s often possible to identify and resolve the underlying issues. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can diagnose the problem, whether it’s related to themes, plugins, PHP errors, or server configurations, and take appropriate actions to revive your website.
Remember that prevention is key. Regularly updating your WordPress core, themes, and plugins, along with proactive security measures and routine maintenance, can help minimize the risk of encountering the WSOD in the future. Additionally, maintaining reliable backups ensures that you can quickly recover your site in the event of unexpected issues, providing peace of mind for WordPress website owners and administrators.