How Can I Fix White Screen & 500 Server Errors in My Wordpress Site?

By Maxwell








Ok, You wake up, grab your coffee, ready to dive into creating content for your WordPress site, and then... disaster strikes. Instead of your beautiful blog, you're greeted with a blank white page, often called the White Screen of Death (WSOD). Or perhaps it's the dreaded 500 Internal Server Error, a cryptic message that tells you absolutely nothing useful.

It's enough to make your heart sink, isn't it? Especially when you're just starting your online income journey, these errors can feel like giant, insurmountable roadblocks. You might feel a surge of panic, wondering if all your hard work is gone, or if you need to hire an expensive developer just to get your site back online.

Take a deep breath. You're not alone, and these errors are far more common than you think. While they can be frustrating, the good news is that for beginners, they often stem from a few common culprits, and with a little guidance, you can usually troubleshoot and fix them yourself without needing to be a tech wizard.

This guide is designed to be your go-to resource for tackling the White Screen of Death and the 500 Internal Server Error on your WordPress site. We'll walk through the most frequent causes and provide you with clear, actionable steps to get your site back up and running smoothly. Let's conquer these errors together!

 

1. Why Do These Errors Happen?

Both the White Screen of Death (WSOD) and the 500 Internal Server Error typically point to something that's gone wrong behind the scenes with your WordPress code or server. They're like a general alarm bell going off, indicating something broke, but not exactly what.

Here are the most common reasons you might encounter these frustrating errors:

  1. Plugin Conflicts: This is by far the most frequent reason. A newly installed or updated plugin might clash with another plugin, your theme, or WordPress itself, causing the site to break.
  2. Theme Issues: A faulty theme (or a conflict with a plugin) can also trigger these errors. This often happens after a theme update or switching themes.
  3. Memory Limit Exhaustion: Your WordPress site has a certain amount of memory allocated to it by your web host. If a script or process (often from a plugin or theme) tries to use more memory than available, it can trigger a WSOD.
  4. Corrupted Core Files: Less common, but sometimes WordPress core files can become damaged during an update or due to server issues.
  5. Corrupted .htaccess File: The .htaccess file is a powerful configuration file on your server. Incorrect rules or a corrupted file can lead to a 500 error.
  6. PHP Version Issues: Your web host uses a specific version of PHP (the programming language WordPress is built on). If your theme or plugins aren't compatible with your PHP version, or if the PHP version itself is outdated, it can cause problems.

Don't worry if these sound a bit technical. We're going to tackle them one by one with straightforward instructions.

 

2. Before You Start, What are the  Essential Preparations?

Before you start poking around in your site's files, take these crucial steps. They'll save you a lot of heartache.

  • Backup, Backup, Backup! Seriously, you can't hear this enough. If you have a recent backup, you can always revert your site to a working state if something goes wrong during troubleshooting. Many hosts offer daily backups, or you might use a plugin like UpdraftPlus or Duplicator. If your site is currently down, check your hosting provider's control panel – they often have a one-click restore option.
  • Access Your Files: You'll likely need to access your site's files via FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or your web host's File Manager in your cPanel (or similar hosting control panel). If you don't have an FTP client (like FileZilla), your host's File Manager is usually the easiest way for beginners. You'll need your hosting login credentials.
  • Access Your WordPress Dashboard (If Possible): Sometimes, only the front-end is broken, and you can still log into yourdomain.com/wp-admin. If you can, great! If not, don't worry, the FTP/File Manager methods will still work.

 

3. Troubleshooting the White Screen of Death (WSOD) & 500 Internal Server Error: Step-by-Step Fixes

Let's start with the most common and easiest fixes first.


Fix 1: Deactivate All Plugins (The Most Common Culprit)

Since plugin conflicts are the #1 reason for these errors, this is always your first troubleshooting step.

If you can access your WordPress dashboard (yourdomain.com/wp-admin):

  1. Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
  2. Select all plugins by checking the box next to "Plugin" at the top.
  3. From the "Bulk Actions" dropdown, choose "Deactivate" and click "Apply."
  4. Check your site: Go to your website's front end. Does it load now?

If you CANNOT access your WordPress dashboard (most likely scenario for WSOD/500 errors):

  1. Access your site's files using FTP or your hosting provider's File Manager.
  2. Navigate to the wp-content folder.
  3. Inside wp-content, you'll see a folder named plugins.
  4. Rename the plugins folder to something like plugins_old or plugins_deactivated. This effectively deactivates all your plugins.
  5. Check your site: Go to your website's front end. Does it load now?
  • If your site loads: Great news! A plugin was the problem.
    1. Rename the plugins_old folder back to plugins.
    2. Now, log into your WordPress dashboard (yourdomain.com/wp-admin).
    3. Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins. All your plugins will be deactivated.
    4. Activate them one by one, checking your site after each activation. The moment your site breaks again, you've found the culprit.
    5. Once you identify the problematic plugin, you can either:
      • Look for an update for that plugin.
      • Contact the plugin developer for support.
      • Find an alternative plugin.
      • If it's not essential, just delete it.
  • If your site still doesn't load: The problem isn't a plugin. Move on to Fix 2.

 

Fix 2: Switch to a Default Theme (The Second Most Common Culprit)

After plugins, your theme is the next likely suspect.

If you can access your WordPress dashboard (yourdomain.com/wp-admin):

  1. Go to Appearance > Themes.
  2. Activate a default WordPress theme (like "Twenty Twenty-Four" or "Twenty Twenty-Three").
  3. Check your site: Does it load now?

If you CANNOT access your WordPress dashboard:

  1. Access your site's files using FTP or your hosting provider's File Manager.
  2. Navigate to the wp-content folder, then into the themes folder.
  3. You'll see folders for all your installed themes (e.g., astra, twentytwentyfour).
  4. Rename your currently active theme folder to something like yourtheme_old. For example, if you use "Astra," rename astra to astra_old.
  5. When WordPress can't find the active theme, it automatically reverts to a default theme (like "Twenty Twenty-Four" if it's present). Make sure you have at least one default WordPress theme (e.g., twentytwentyfour, twentytwentythree) in your themes folder. If not, you may need to upload one via FTP.
  6. Check your site: Does it load now?
  • If your site loads: Your theme was the problem.
    • Rename your theme folder back to its original name.
    • Try updating your theme.
    • Contact the theme developer for support.
    • Consider switching to a different, more reputable theme if the issues persist.
  • If your site still doesn't load: Your theme isn't the issue. Move on to Fix 3.

 

Fix 3: Increase Your PHP Memory Limit

A White Screen of Death can sometimes happen because a script (often from a plugin) has run out of allocated memory.

  1. Access your site's files using FTP or your hosting provider's File Manager.
  2. Look for a file named wp-config.php in your site's root directory (the main folder where WordPress is installed).
  3. Download this file to your computer (or open it directly in the File Manager's editor).
  4. Before the line /* That's all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */, add the following code:

PHP

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

    • Note: You can try '128M' first if '256M' seems too high, but 256M is a good standard for modern WordPress sites.
  1. Save the file and upload it back to your server, overwriting the old one.
  2. Check your site: Does it load now?
  • If your site loads: Great! You've successfully given WordPress more memory to work with.
  • If your site still doesn't load: The memory limit wasn't the primary issue. Remove the line you added to wp-config.php to keep your file clean, then proceed to Fix 4.

 

Fix 4: Revert (or Fix) the .htaccess File (Often for 500 Errors)

A corrupted or incorrectly configured .htaccess file can often cause a 500 Internal Server Error.

  1. Access your site's files using FTP or your hosting provider's File Manager.
  2. Look for the .htaccess file in your site's root directory. (Note: It's a hidden file, so you might need to enable "Show hidden files" in your FTP client or File Manager settings.)
  3. Download this file to your computer as a backup.
  4. Delete the .htaccess file from your server.
  5. Check your site: Does it load now?
  • If your site loads: Fantastic! The .htaccess file was the problem.
    1. Log into your WordPress dashboard (yourdomain.com/wp-admin).
    2. Go to Settings > Permalinks.
    3. Without making any changes, just click the "Save Changes" button. This will generate a new, correct .htaccess file for your site.
  • If your site still doesn't load: Restore your backed-up .htaccess file, then proceed to Fix 5.

 

Fix 5: Enable WordPress Debugging (To See Error Messages)

If the above steps haven't worked, it's time to ask WordPress to tell you exactly what's going wrong. Debugging mode will display error messages on your screen, which can pinpoint the exact file or line of code causing the issue.

  1. Access your site's files using FTP or your hosting provider's File Manager.
  2. Look for the wp-config.php file in your site's root directory.
  3. Download this file to your computer (or open it directly in the File Manager's editor).
  4. Find the line that says:

PHP

define('WP_DEBUG', false);

  1. Change false to true:

PHP

define('WP_DEBUG', true);

  1. Optional but Recommended: Add these two lines immediately below the WP_DEBUG line to ensure errors are logged to a file instead of displayed publicly (which can be a security risk and look unprofessional):

PHP

define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);

define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);

@ini_set('display_errors',0);

  1. Save the file and upload it back to your server, overwriting the old one.
  2. Refresh your site: Now, instead of a blank screen, you might see error messages.
    • If you used WP_DEBUG_LOG, a debug.log file will be created inside the wp-content folder. Open this file to view the errors.
  • Interpret the error: Look for phrases like "Fatal error," "Parse error," or "Call to undefined function." The error message will usually tell you the file path (e.g., /wp-content/plugins/bad-plugin/bad-file.php on line 123). This immediately tells you which plugin or theme is causing the issue and where.
  • Take action based on the error: If it points to a plugin or theme, you've found your culprit! Go back to Fix 1 or Fix 2 to deactivate/rename that specific item.
  • Important: Once your site is fixed, remember to change WP_DEBUG back to false and remove the other debug lines in wp-config.php for security and performance reasons!

 

Fix 6: Check Your PHP Version (via Hosting Control Panel)

An outdated or incompatible PHP version can sometimes cause issues. This step usually needs to be done through your hosting provider's control panel (like cPanel, Plesk, or a custom dashboard).

  1. Log into your hosting account's control panel.
  2. Look for a section related to "PHP Version," "MultiPHP Manager," "Select PHP Version," or similar.
  3. Check what PHP version your site is currently using.
  4. Try switching to a slightly newer, but stable, version (e.g., if you're on PHP 7.4, try 8.0 or 8.1). Avoid jumping to the very latest experimental versions.
  5. Check your site: Does it load now?
  • If your site loads: Great! You've found a compatible PHP version.
  • If your site still doesn't load: Revert to the previous PHP version, then contact your host.

 

When All Else Fails - Time to Call for Backup (Your Web Host)

If you've gone through all these steps and your site is still showing the White Screen of Death or a 500 Internal Server Error, don't despair. It's time to reach out to your web hosting support.

When you contact them, be prepared to tell them:

  • What specific error you're seeing (WSOD, 500 Error, or a specific error message from debugging).
  • What steps you've already taken to troubleshoot (e.g., "I've tried deactivating all plugins, switching themes, increasing memory, and deleting .htaccess"). This shows them you've done your due diligence and helps them pinpoint the issue faster.
  • Mention that you are a beginner and are trying to get your WordPress site back online for your online income journey.

Your host has access to server logs and more advanced diagnostic tools that can often identify the root cause quickly. They are there to help you!

 

Conclusion

It's completely normal to feel overwhelmed when your website goes down. But remember, every successful online entrepreneur has faced technical glitches. The key is to approach them calmly, systematically, and to use the resources available to you.

By following these steps, you'll not only likely fix your White Screen of Death or 500 Internal Server Error, but you'll also gain valuable experience and confidence in managing your WordPress site. This knowledge is an invaluable asset as you continue to build your sustainable online income stream.

So, roll up your sleeves, use this guide as your roadmap, and get your WordPress site back to serving your audience and supporting your digital income goals!


 



 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Print-on-Demand Business?

By Maxwell
Image
Have you ever dreamt of turning your creative flair into a profitable venture? Perhaps you’ve sketched out designs on napkins, doodled ideas on the back of receipts, or spent countless hours crafting the perfect digital artwork. If so, you’ve probably toyed with the idea of transforming these creations into tangible products. The Print-On-Demand (POD) business model offers an enticing pathway to do just that. It’s easy to be captivated by the idea of starting a business without the traditional hurdles. No towering stacks of inventory, no costly warehouses, and no complex shipping logistics. POD seems like a dream come true - a business model where creativity meets commerce without the usual financial burden. But is it truly as cost-free as it appears? The reality is a bit more nuanced. While POD undeniably lowers the barrier to entry, it’s not entirely devoid of expenses. From design tools and website platforms to marketing efforts and potential legal costs, there are several fac...
Read more

What Print-on-Demand Companies Work with Etsy?

By Maxwell
Image
You’ve likely heard the buzz about Print on Demand (POD) . It’s that business model promising a world where you can sell products without the usual headaches of inventory management. Sounds enticing, right? But how does it actually work, especially on a platform like Etsy , known for its handcrafted charm? Let’s break it down. POD is essentially a service that allows you to design products – think t-shirts, phone cases, or tote bags – and list them for sale. When a customer places an order, the product is created and shipped directly to them. No need for you to handle the production or shipping process. This is where Etsy comes in. As an Etsy seller, you can leverage POD to expand your product range without the upfront costs or storage issues associated with traditional inventory. It's a way to tap into new markets and reach a wider audience. But here’s the catch: not all POD companies are created equal. Some integrate seamlessly with Etsy, offering smooth operations and re...
Read more

How Can I Sell Print on Demand on Amazon?

By Maxwell
Image
Have you ever looked at a beautifully designed t-shirt or a captivating piece of artwork and thought, “ I could sell this ”? Perhaps you’ve considered starting an online store but were put off by the idea of managing inventory. If so, Print-On-Demand (POD) might be the perfect business model for you. POD offers a unique opportunity to turn your creative ideas into a profitable business without the upfront costs and risks associated with traditional retail. Instead of investing in bulk inventory, you only produce items when a customer places an order. This not only reduces financial risk but also allows you to offer a wider range of products without tying up capital. Amazon, with its massive customer base and robust e-commerce infrastructure, provides an ideal platform for POD sellers. According to Statista, Amazon accounted for nearly 40% of all U.S. e-commerce sales in 2022. This means millions of potential customers are browsing the platform every day, looking for unique and i...
Read more