How to Fix the WordPress White Screen of Death

Are you facing a white blank screen when trying to open your website on WordPress? Are you finding ways to fix this dreadful issue?

If yes, then you have come to the right place!

Consider a scenario in which you have visited your WordPress website and encountered the dreaded “White Screen of Death (WSOD)”. This can be a frustrating and panic-inducing experience, as it often means that your website is not functioning properly and may be down for an indefinite period of time.

As the name shows all hope is lost, but luckily there are many solutions to this problem. This article will share the most common reasons behind the WordPress white screen of death issue.

Once you know the specific cause behind this error, we have a handful of solutions for you to fix it. Then, we will share some tips to prevent this fatal error from happening again in the future.

Ready? Let’s get started.

What Exactly “WordPress White Screen of Death” is?

The White Screen of Death (WSOD) is an error in WordPress that causes the website to display a white screen instead of the expected content. It is a common issue that occurs when the website encounters a fatal error. When encountering the WSOD, the screen will display a white screen with no error messages or additional information.

The White Screen of Death (WSOD) error affects the front-end of the website, meaning the website visitors will only see a white screen when trying to access the site. The back-end of the website, such as the WordPress Dashboard, may also be inaccessible. The error can also prevent any updates or changes from being made to the site until the issue is resolved.

It is important to note that the WSOD error can impact the overall user experience and damage the reputation of the website if not resolved in a timely manner.

What Causes WordPress’s “White Screen of Death” Error to Occur?

The White Screen of Death (WSOD) in WordPress is typically caused by a number of factors, including:

1. Plugin Conflicts:

Plugin conflicts can cause the White Screen of Death (WSOD) error in WordPress by interfering with the normal operation of the WordPress core and other plugins. This can happen when two or more plugins are using the same function, class, or variable names, which can lead to unexpected results and errors.

For example, if two plugins are both trying to modify the same part of the WordPress interface, one of them may overwrite the changes made by the other, causing the WSOD to occur. Similarly, if two plugins are both trying to access the same database table, they may interfere with each other and cause the WSOD.

2. Theme Issues:

Theme issues can cause the White Screen of Death (WSOD) error in WordPress by interfering with the normal operation of the WordPress core and other plugins. This can happen when a theme has a missing or improperly formatted file, such as a missing functions.php file or an incorrect use of PHP syntax.

For example, if a theme has a syntax error in its functions.php file, it can cause the WSOD to occur. Similarly, if a theme is missing a required file or is using an outdated version of WordPress, it can cause the WSOD.

3. Exhausted Memory Limit:

The exhausted memory limit can cause the White Screen of Death (WSOD) error in WordPress when the PHP memory limit on a WordPress site is exceeded. This can happen when a plugin or theme is using an excessive amount of memory, which can cause the PHP script to crash and display the WSOD.

For example, if a plugin is trying to process a large amount of data or perform a complex calculation, it may consume all of the available memory, causing the WSOD to occur. Similarly, if a theme is using large image files or a complex layout, it may also cause the memory limit to be exceeded.

4. Syntax Errors:

Syntax errors can cause the White Screen of Death (WSOD) error in WordPress by preventing the PHP scripts from executing properly. This can happen when there is a mistake in the code, such as a missing semicolon, incorrect use of quotes, or a misspelled function name.

For example, if a plugin has a syntax error in its code, it can cause the PHP script to crash and display the WSOD. Similarly, if a theme has a syntax error in its functions.php file, it can also cause the WSOD.

5. Database Connection Issues:

Database connection issues can cause the White Screen of Death (WSOD) error in WordPress by preventing the WordPress site from accessing its database. This can happen when the database credentials, such as the database name, username, or password, are incorrect or the database server is down.

For example, if the database credentials in the wp-config.php file are incorrect, WordPress will be unable to connect to the database and the WSOD will be displayed. Similarly, if the database server is down, WordPress will also be unable to connect to the database and the WSOD will be displayed.

6. Server Issues:

Server issues can cause the White Screen of Death (WSOD) error in WordPress by preventing the WordPress site from functioning properly. This can happen when the server is down, the PHP version is outdated, the server is experiencing a high load or a low-memory situation, or there are other technical issues with the server.

For example, if the server is down, WordPress will not be able to load the necessary files and the WSOD will be displayed. Similarly, if the PHP version is outdated, some plugins or themes may not work properly, causing the WSOD. If the server is experiencing high load or low memory, it can also cause the WSOD, as the server may not be able to handle the demands of the WordPress site.

These are some of the most common causes of WSOD in WordPress. To resolve the issue, it is usually necessary to troubleshoot and identify the root cause, then take steps to correct the problem.

How to Fix the WordPress White Screen of Death Error?

When you face this fatal error of WordPress White Screen of Death, your priority will be to fix it as quickly as possible. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the simple steps you can follow to resolve this issue.

Important NOTE: You should always back up your site before making any changes, so you can restore your site if something goes wrong.

1. Deactivate Plugins:

The first step you can take to resolve the WSOD error is to deactivate the plugins. Here is how:

1. Connect to your WordPress site using an FTP client or file manager in your hosting account.
2. Locate the “plugins” folder in the WordPress installation directory.

• Rename the “plugins” folder to something like “plugins-deactivated“. This will prevent WordPress from loading any plugins.

1. Load your WordPress site in a web browser to see if the White Screen of Death (WSOD) error is resolved.
2. If the issue is resolved, you can reactivate your plugins one by one to determine which plugin is causing the issue. After you reactivate each plugin, load your site in a web browser to see if the issue reappears.
3. If you determine which plugin is causing the issue, you can try disabling the plugin, uninstalling it, or contacting the plugin developer for assistance.

2. Switch to a Default Theme:

If the problem is not a plugin, your WordPress theme may be the cause of the White Screen of Death. Follow these steps to switch to a default theme:

1. Connect to your WordPress site using an FTP client or file manager in your hosting account.
2. Locate the “themes” folder in the WordPress installation directory.

• Rename the folder of the active theme to something like “themename-old“. This will deactivate the current theme.

1. Load your WordPress site in a web browser to see if the White Screen of Death (WSOD) error is resolved.
2. If the issue is resolved, you can switch back to your original theme by renaming the “themename-old” folder back to its original name.

NOTE: If the issue still exists, you can try another default theme, such as Twenty Twenty-One, to see if the issue is resolved. You should also check for any theme-related errors or conflicts, and contact the theme developer for assistance if necessary.

3. Increase Memory Limit:

When you install a plugin, it runs a set of scripts on your WordPress website. Every time the plugin runs, it uses a little bit of your server’s memory. In this case, you will need to increase your memory limit. Here is how:

• Edit the wp-config.php file: Add the following line of code to the wp-config.php file in the root directory of your WordPress installation:

define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);

• Edit the .hatches file: Add the following line of code to the .hatches file in the root directory of your WordPress installation:

php_value memory_limit 256M

• Edit the PHP.ini file: If you have access to the PHP.ini file, you can increase the memory limit by adding the following line of code:

memory_limit = 256M

It’s recommended to increase the memory limit to at least 128MB, 256MB is a good value to start with. If you still face the issue after increasing the memory limit, you can increase it further.

NOTE: If you are on a shared hosting, you might not have access to the PHP.ini file; in that case, you can try the first two steps.

4. Clear Browser and Plugin Cache:

Clear Browser Cache:

To clear the browser cache in order to fix the “White Screen of Death” (WSOD) error in WordPress, follow these steps:

1. Open your browser and press “Ctrl + Shift + Delete” (or “Cmd + Shift + Delete” on a Mac).
2. Choose the time range for which you want to clear your browser cache. Select “All Time” if you’re not sure.

• Select the “Cached images and files” option.

1. Click the “Clear data” or “Clear browsing data” button.
2. Refresh your WordPress site to see if the WSOD error has been resolved.

NOTE: The steps to clear the browser cache may vary slightly depending on the browser you’re using.

Clear Plugin Cache:

Here’s how to clear the plugin cache:

1. Access your WordPress site using an FTP client or the file manager in your hosting control panel.
2. Navigate to the “wp-content” folder.

• Delete the “plugins” folder. Note that this will deactivate all plugins on your site.

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Reactivate your plugins one by one, starting with the one that you believe caused the WSOD error.
3. Refresh your site after activating each plugin to see if the WSOD error has been resolved.

If the error reappears after reactivating a specific plugin, you may want to contact the plugin developer for further assistance or try a different plugin that provides similar functionality.

5. Enable Debugging Mode:

If you are still facing the WordPress White Screen of Death issue, the admin area is not working, or you think you have found the problem but you want to dig deeper, you can switch to debugging mode. Here’s how:

1. Access your WordPress site using an FTP client or the file manager in your hosting control panel.
2. Navigate to the root folder of your WordPress installation.

• Locate the “wp-config.php” file.

1. Open the file in a text editor.
2. Look for the following line:

define( ‘WP_DEBUG’, false );

1. Change ‘false’ to ‘true’:

define( ‘WP_DEBUG’, true );

• Save the changes to the file.
• Refresh your site to see if the WSOD error has been resolved. If not, check the error logs on your server or your browser’s console for more information on what’s causing the issue.

NOTE: It’s important to turn off debugging mode after you have fixed the error by changing the value back to false. Debugging mode should not be enabled on a live site, as it may reveal sensitive information to potential attackers.

6. Check your Admin Dashboard and Website For Clues:

Go through your website and admin dashboard to find clues. Sometimes the issue is only with the admin dashboard and doesn’t affect the website’s front end.

• Check the error logs on your server: Some hosting providers offer a way to access your error logs through the control panel. These logs may contain useful information about the cause of the WSOD error.
• Use the browser’s console: In most modern browsers, you can access the browser’s console by pressing “F12” or right-clicking anywhere on your site and selecting “Inspect“. The console may display error messages or warnings that can help you determine the cause of the WSOD error.
• Try a different browser: If the error only occurs in one browser, it could be a problem with your browser’s cache or extensions. Try accessing your site in a different browser to see if the WSOD error still appears.
• Check your WordPress version: If your site is running an outdated version of WordPress, it could be vulnerable to security issues or compatibility problems with plugins and themes. Make sure your site is running the latest version of WordPress.
• Check your .htaccess file: The .htaccess file controls how your site behaves and can cause the WSOD error if it contains an error or has been modified incorrectly. Try renaming the .htaccess file and see if the error disappears. If it does, log in to your WordPress dashboard and go to Settings > Permalinks. Click the “Save Changes” button to regenerate a new .htaccess file.

By following these steps, you should be able to gather enough information to determine the cause of the WSOD error and take steps to resolve it.

How to Prevent the WordPress “White Screen of Death” Error in the Future?

Here are some tips and tricks to help prevent the “White Screen of Death” (WSOD) error in WordPress:

• Keep WordPress, plugins, and themes up to date: Make sure you’re running the latest version of WordPress and all installed plugins and themes. This will help prevent compatibility issues that can lead to the WSOD error.
• Use a quality hosting provider: A reliable hosting provider can help prevent server-side issues that can cause the WSOD error. Choose a hosting provider that offers 24/7 support and has a proven track record of reliability.
• Use a child theme: If you make changes to your theme’s code, use a child theme to ensure that your changes won’t be overwritten when the theme is updated.
• Back up regularly: Regular backups of your site can help you recover quickly if you encounter a WSOD error or any other problems with your site.
• Limit the number of plugins you use: Too many plugins can slow down your site and cause compatibility issues. Choose only the plugins that you need and keep the number to a minimum.
• Use a caching plugin: A caching plugin can help speed up your site and reduce the likelihood of encountering the WSOD error.
• Monitor your site regularly: Regularly monitor your site for any issues and take action immediately if you notice anything out of the ordinary.

By following these tips, you can reduce the risk of encountering the WSOD error and ensure that your WordPress site runs smoothly.

Final Thoughts:

It is only a bit dramatic name of WordPress white screen of death that sounds terrifying but in reality, it is just a common error faced by almost every one of us. The above-mentioned solutions are enough to deal with this problem and make your site back up and running in no time.

If you still face this error after applying all the possible methods, then go to the web hosting provider and ask him for further assistance to get rid of this fatal issue.

Feel free to give us feedback on which solution works best for you. All the best!