There Has Been a Critical Error on this Website in 2023

Are you encountering the “There has been a critical error on this website” error message on your screen and have no idea how to get rid of this issue?

Don’t worry! We have enlisted all the possible solutions to fix this problem. Stay tuned to know more.

Well, nothing is more frustrating for a web developer than he experiencing a critical error on his WordPress website. The website will go down and ultimately it is losing traffic continuously as time goes on. But luckily to your great surprise, there are several methods to fix this error and get back your website running in no time.

In this tutorial, we have discussed the “There has been a critical error on this website” error message in detail and mentioned all the ways to help you fix this fatal error. Also, there are some causes of this issue mentioned below that need your attention. Read the article to the full to get your error resolved as soon as possible.

What Does “Critical Error on the WordPress Website” Mean?

The message “There has been a critical error on your website” typically indicates a serious problem with a website, such as a server error, database connection issue, or a bug in the website’s code. Additionally, this error causes chaos to an extent that it stops WordPress from loading all the scripts it needs to work properly. It can also cause several serious problems including:

• Downtime: The website may become unavailable or difficult to access, leading to lost traffic and revenue.
• Loss of data: Depending on the cause of the error, it may result in the loss of important data, such as posts, pages, comments, or user information.
• Broken website functionality: A critical error can cause the website’s features and functionality to break or become unavailable, such as the inability to log in or access the WordPress dashboard.
• Security risks: Some critical errors can result in security vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers or malicious software.
• Poor user experience: A critical error can result in a poor user experience for website visitors, as they may encounter broken links, missing content, or other issues.

These problems can have serious consequences for a WordPress website, and it’s important to address critical errors as quickly as possible to minimize their impact. In many cases, fixing a critical error will require the assistance of a WordPress developer or a web hosting provider.

What are the Possible Reasons that Cause this Critical Error?

“There has been a critical error on your website” is a general error message that can be caused by several different factors. Here are some common causes of this error:

• Server issues: The website’s server may be down, overloaded, or experiencing a technical issue that prevents it from functioning properly. This can lead to a slowdown or crash, and result in the “There has been a critical error” message.
• Database connection problems: Many websites rely on a database to store information, such as user data, product information, and other content. If the website is unable to connect to its database, it will display a critical error message.
• Coding errors: Websites are built using code, and if there is a bug or issue with the code, it can result in a critical error message. This could be a syntax error, a conflict between different parts of the code, or an issue with a plugin or theme that the website is using.
• Security vulnerabilities: Websites can be vulnerable to security attacks, such as hacking, malware, or other forms of cybercrime. If a website is hacked or infected with malware, it can cause a critical error message to appear.
• Plugin or theme compatibility issues: Websites often use plugins and themes to add functionality and design elements. If a plugin or theme is not compatible with the website’s code, it can result in a critical error message.
• Configuration issues: If the website’s configuration files are incorrect or have been modified, it can result in a critical error message.

In some cases, the specific error message or code may provide more information about the cause of the critical error. However, in many cases, diagnosing and resolving the issue may require the expertise of a website developer or a web hosting provider.

How to Fix the Critical Error Message on WordPress? (7 Easy Methods)

There are several methods to fix the critical error message that occurs in WordPress websites. Check your email inbox to know whether you have received any emails regarding this issue. The email will provide more information about which file and line of code caused the issue. In case you didn’t receive any email yet, don’t worry. Below are some methods which will let you fix the critical error in the WordPress website:

Method #01: Enable Debug Mode:

Debug mode is a feature in WordPress that helps developers and site administrators diagnose and troubleshoot issues with their websites. When debug mode is enabled, WordPress will display detailed error messages and warnings in the browser or in the server logs, allowing developers to identify and fix issues more easily.

To help you troubleshoot and resolve the issue, you can enable debugging in WordPress. Here’s how to do it:

1. Locate your ‘wp-config.php’ file: This file is usually located in the root directory of your WordPress installation. You can access it using an FTP client or through the cPanel file manager.
2. Edit the’ wp-config.php’ file: Open the file in a text editor and add the following line of code at the end of the file:

define( ‘WP_DEBUG’, true );

3. Save the changes: Save the ‘wp-config.php’ file and close the text editor.

Once you’ve made these changes, the next time you encounter the “There has been a critical error on this website” error, you will see a more detailed error message with information on the exact issue. You can use this information to identify the cause of the problem and take appropriate steps to resolve it.

NOTE: It’s important to turn off debugging once you’ve resolved the issue to ensure the security of your website. To turn off debugging, simply change the value of ‘WP_DEBUG’ to ‘false’.

Method #02: Disable Plugins:

The “There has been a Critical error on this Website” error can be caused by various reasons, including a plugin conflict. To determine if a plugin is causing the issue, you can try disabling plugins one by one and see if the error goes away. Here’s how you can disable plugins in WordPress:

1. Log in to your WordPress Dashboard.
2. Click on the “Plugins” menu option in the left-side menu.
3. Find the plugin you want to disable and click on the “Deactivate” link under its name.
4. Repeat steps 3 for each plugin you want to disable.
5. After disabling the plugins, try accessing your website to see if the error still appears.

This process effectively disables all plugins on your website and allows you to determine if a plugin is the cause of the error. To re-enable a plugin, go back to the “wp-content” folder and rename the “plugins_old” folder back to “plugins”. Then, log in to your WordPress dashboard, and you’ll see that your plugins are active again. Repeat this process of disabling and enabling plugins one by one until you determine which plugin is causing the error.

If disabling a plugin fixes the issue, then you know that the plugin was causing the problem. You can either keep the plugin disabled or look for an updated version or a different plugin to replace it. If the error still appears after disabling all plugins, it may be caused by something else, such as a theme issue or a server issue.

Method #03: Switch to a Default Theme:

Switching to a default theme can sometimes help fix the “There has been a Critical error on this Website” error in WordPress. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to “Appearance” and then “Themes”.
3. Locate the “Twenty Twenty-One” theme (or another default WordPress theme) and click the “Activate” button.
4. After activating the default theme, check your website to see if the error has been resolved.

If switching to a default theme fixes the error, it’s likely that your current theme is causing the problem. In this case, you can either switch to a different theme or contact the theme developer for support. If the error persists after switching to a default theme, it may be caused by a plugin or a server issue, and you should troubleshoot further.

Method #04: Increase Memory Limit:

In some cases, the “There has been a Critical error on this Website” error can be caused by a low memory limit in WordPress. You can try increasing the memory limit to fix the error. Here’s how:

1. Access your website using FTP or cPanel file manager.
2. Locate the “wp-config.php” file and open it in a text editor.
3. Add the following line of code to the file, before the line that says “That’s all, stop editing! Happy publishing”:

define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);

4. Save the changes and close the file.
5. Refresh your website to see if the error has been resolved.

NOTE: You can adjust the value of ‘256M’ to a higher value if needed, but be aware that increasing the memory limit too much can also cause performance issues on your website. If the error persists after increasing the memory limit, you should troubleshoot further to find the root cause of the problem.

Method #05: Check your Website’s Server Status:

To check your website’s server status and determine if it’s causing the “There has been a Critical error on this Website” error, you can follow these steps:

1. Access the website status checker tool, such as IsIt Down Right Now or DownDetector.
2. Enter your website’s URL in the tool and hit the “Check” button.
3. The tool will then check the status of your website and report back if it’s down or if there are any issues with the server.

If the tool reports that your website is down, you should contact your hosting provider for support. If the agency reports that the server is up and running, but you’re still seeing the error, it’s likely that the issue is caused by something else, such as a plugin conflict, a theme issue, or a low memory limit.

Method #06: Upgrade your PHP Version:

Upgrading your PHP version can sometimes help fix the “There has been a Critical error on this Website” error in WordPress, especially if your current version is outdated or not supported. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Check your current PHP version: You can do this by accessing your website’s control panel or by installing a plugin like “Display PHP Version” on your WordPress site.
2. Check your hosting provider’s documentation to see what the latest available PHP version is and if it’s compatible with your WordPress site.
3. Contact your hosting provider to request an upgrade to the latest PHP version.
4. Once the upgrade is complete, check your website to see if the error has been resolved.

NOTE: Before upgrading your PHP version, it’s important to make sure that your WordPress site and all its themes and plugins are compatible with the new version. Upgrading to an unsupported version can cause compatibility issues and break your website. If you’re unsure about the compatibility, you should consult with your hosting provider or a WordPress developer for assistance.

Method #07: Check for Security Vulnerabilities:

Checking for security vulnerabilities is an important step in troubleshooting the “There has been a Critical error on this Website” error in WordPress. Here’s how you can do it:

• Install a security plugin: You can use a plugin like Wordfence, Jetpack, or Sucuri to scan your website for vulnerabilities and malware.
• Run a security scan: Once the plugin is installed and activated, run a security scan to check for any vulnerabilities or malicious code on your website.
• Fix any issues found: If the scan finds any vulnerabilities, follow the recommendations provided by the plugin to fix them.

NOTE: Regularly running security scans and keeping your website, themes, and plugins up-to-date is important for maintaining the security of your WordPress site. In addition to using a security plugin, you should also keep your website backup up-to-date and follow best practices for securing your WordPress site, such as using strong passwords and limiting login attempts.

FAQs:

1. What Does the “There Has Been a Critical Error on this Website” Error Mean?

The “There has been a critical error on this website” error is a generic error message that typically appears when there is an issue with your WordPress site. The error can be caused by a variety of factors, including plugin conflicts, theme issues, low memory limit, outdated PHP version, security vulnerabilities, and more.

2. How Do I Fix the “There Has Been a Critical Error on this Website” Error?

The steps to fix the error will depend on the cause of the problem. Some standard solutions include disabling plugins, switching to a default theme, increasing the memory limit, upgrading your PHP version, checking for security vulnerabilities, and more.

3. Is the “There Has Been a Critical Error on this website” Error a Security Threat?

The error itself is not a security threat, but it can be a symptom of a security issue, such as malware or security vulnerability. If you see this error, it’s important to run a security scan to check for any security issues on your website.

4. What Happens if I Ignore the “There Has Been a Critical Error on this Website” Error?

Ignoring the error can result in a degraded user experience for your website visitors and can also cause further problems if the underlying issue is not resolved. To ensure that your website continues to function properly, it’s important to troubleshoot and fix the error as soon as you see it.

5. Who Should I Contact if I Need Help Fixing the “There Has Been a Critical Error on this Website” Error?

If you’re unable to fix the error on your own, you can reach out to your hosting provider for assistance or consult with a WordPress developer. They will be able to help you diagnose the issue and provide recommendations for fixing the problem.

Final Thoughts:

There is no need to panic if you face the “There has been a critical error on this website” error in WordPress as it is recoverable. It is a good practice to have a backup of your website so that you can easily recover your content whenever there comes a major issue. We hope that this guide has helped you troubleshoot and fix the critical error in WordPress. Feel free to give your valuable feedback. Good luck!