How to Troubleshoot Common WordPress Issues

Check for Plugin Conflicts

• Deactivate Plugins:
  • Navigate to Plugins:
    • Go to the WordPress dashboard and select “Plugins” > “Installed Plugins.”
  • Deactivate All Plugins:
    • Select all plugins and choose “Deactivate” from the bulk actions dropdown menu. Click “Apply.”
  • Check Your Site:
    • See if the issue is resolved. If it is, a plugin is likely causing the problem.
• Reactivate Plugins:
  • Reactivate One by One:
    • Reactivate each plugin individually and check your site after each activation to identify which plugin is causing the issue.

Switch to a Default Theme

• Activate Default Theme:
  • Go to Themes:
    • Navigate to “Appearance” > “Themes.”
  • Choose a Default Theme:
    • Activate a default WordPress theme such as Twenty Twenty-Three. This helps determine if the issue is related to your current theme.

• Check Your Site:
  • Evaluate:
    • Check if the issue persists with the default theme. If the issue is resolved, your original theme may be causing the problem.

Increase PHP Memory Limit

• Edit wp-config.php:
  • Access Site Files:
    • Use FTP or your hosting control panel to access your WordPress files.
  • Open wp-config.php:
    • Locate and open the wp-config.php file for editing.

• Add Memory Limit Code:
  • Insert Code: Add the following line before “/* That’s all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */”: define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);

• Save Changes:
  • Save and upload the file back to your server.
• Check Your Site:
  • Verify:
    • Refresh your site and check if the issue is resolved.

Check File Permissions

• Verify File Permissions:
  • Access via FTP:
    • Use FTP or your hosting control panel to navigate to your WordPress installation directory.
  • Check Permissions:
    • Ensure files are set to 644 and directories are set to 755. Adjust permissions if necessary.
• Correct Permissions:
  • Modify Permissions:
    • Right-click on files or directories, choose “File Permissions,” and set the appropriate permissions.

Repair the Database

• Enable Database Repair:
  • Edit wp-config.php:
    • Open the wp-config.php file and add this line: php Copy code define(‘WP_ALLOW_REPAIR’, true);
• Run Database Repair:
  • Visit Repair Page:
    • Go to http://yourdomain.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php in your browser.
  • Repair and Optimize:
    • Click “Repair Database” or “Repair and Optimize Database” as needed.
• Remove Repair Code:
  • Edit wp-config.php Again:
    • Remove the line added previously and save the file.

Check for .htaccess Issues

• Rename .htaccess File:
  • Access via FTP:
    • Use FTP or your hosting control panel to locate the .htaccess file in your WordPress root directory.
  • Rename File:
    • Rename it to .htaccess_old or similar.
• Regenerate .htaccess:
  • Update Permalinks:
    • Go to “Settings” > “Permalinks” in the WordPress dashboard.
  • Save Changes:
    • Click “Save Changes” to regenerate a new .htaccess file.

• Check Your Site:
  • Verify:
    • See if the issue is resolved. If so, there may have been a problem with the old .htaccess file.