Common WordPress Problems and Practical Ways to Solve Them
If you’ve ever opened your website and been greeted by a blank screen, an error message or a layout that suddenly looks completely wrong, you’ll know how frustrating WordPress problems can be.
When you’re building a blog or online business, your website is an important part of your work. You want it running properly, especially when you’re trying to publish content, attract visitors from Google or earn money through affiliate marketing.
The good news is that many common WordPress errors can be fixed without hiring a developer. You don’t need to understand complicated coding to work through some of the most frequent problems.
I’ve spent a lot of time working on WordPress websites, managing plugins, improving site performance and publishing content. One thing I’ve learned is that it’s better to approach website problems calmly and methodically rather than changing several settings at once.
In this guide, I’ll explain how to troubleshoot common WordPress errors, what to check first and when it’s sensible to ask your hosting provider for help.
Before You Start Troubleshooting
Before making any changes, check whether you have a recent backup of your website. If your hosting provider offers automatic backups, confirm that a usable backup is available.
It’s also worth taking a screenshot of the error message. This gives you something to refer to if you need to contact technical support.
Here are some of the most common problems you might encounter and how to approach them.
1. The WordPress white screen of death
One of the most frustrating WordPress problems is opening your website and seeing nothing but a blank white screen.
This is sometimes called the WordPress white screen of death. It can happen because of a faulty plugin, a theme problem, a PHP error or insufficient server resources.
How to fix it
Start by checking whether the problem affects your entire website or just one page. Try opening your WordPress dashboard in another browser or private browsing window.
If you can access the dashboard, go to Plugins and deactivate your plugins temporarily. If the website starts working again, reactivate them one at a time until you identify the plugin causing the problem.
If you cannot access the dashboard, your hosting control panel may provide a File Manager or another way to manage plugins. Rename the suspected plugin’s folder to disable it, but only do this if you’re comfortable making the change.
You can also ask your hosting provider to check the PHP error logs.
Avoid editing WordPress configuration files unless you understand what you’re changing. A small mistake in a configuration file can create additional problems.
2. WordPress plugin conflicts
Plugins add useful features to WordPress. I use plugins to help manage different aspects of a website, but every additional plugin needs to be considered carefully.
Sometimes two plugins conflict with each other. A plugin may also stop working properly after a WordPress, theme or PHP update.
Symptoms can include error messages, broken layouts, missing features or a dashboard that becomes difficult to use.
How to fix a plugin conflict
First, think about what changed immediately before the problem started. Did you install a new plugin, update an existing one or change your theme?
If the timing points towards a plugin, try these steps:
Back up your website before making changes.
Deactivate the most recently installed or updated plugin.
Check whether the problem disappears.
If necessary, test other plugins one at a time.
Check the plugin developer’s documentation for compatibility information.
If you find the cause, look for an update or a suitable alternative. You don’t necessarily need a plugin for every small feature, so remove unnecessary ones where appropriate.
Remember that simply installing more plugins isn’t always the answer. A leaner website is often easier to maintain.
3. WordPress updates that fail
WordPress updates are important because they can include security fixes, bug fixes and compatibility improvements. However, an update can occasionally fail because of a connection problem, a plugin conflict, insufficient server resources or file permissions.
You might see a message saying the update failed, or your website may behave differently after an update.
How to fix failed updates
Start by checking whether the update actually completed. Sometimes the dashboard displays an error even though some files have already changed.
Check your WordPress dashboard for pending updates and review any available error messages. If the problem started immediately after updating a plugin or theme, investigate that change first.
Before trying the update again, confirm that you have a recent backup and enough available server resources.
Avoid repeatedly clicking the update button without understanding the problem. If your website is broken, your hosting provider may be able to restore a backup or identify the underlying error.
Once the website is working again, update your software carefully and check the site after each significant change.
4. You cannot log in to WordPress
Another common problem is being unable to access the WordPress dashboard.
You may enter the correct username and password but find yourself returned to the login screen. Alternatively, you might see an incorrect password message or experience a redirect loop.
How to troubleshoot login problems
First, check that you’re using the correct website address and login details. Password managers can sometimes save outdated information, so verify that you’re using the right credentials.
If the password is incorrect, use the password reset option if it is available.
Next, clear your browser cookies and cache, then try again. You can also test another browser to see whether the problem is browser-related.
If the login page keeps redirecting, a plugin or an incorrect website URL setting could be responsible. Security plugins, caching tools and changes to your domain configuration can sometimes affect login behaviour.
If you suspect a plugin, ask your hosting provider to help investigate if you cannot safely access the dashboard.
Never share your WordPress password with someone who claims they can fix the problem. Use a trusted support channel and temporary, appropriately limited access when necessary.
5. Your WordPress website layout is broken
Have you ever made a small change to your website, only to discover that your headings, images or menus no longer appear correctly?
This can happen after changing a theme, editing a page, updating a plugin or modifying CSS.
Sometimes the website itself is working perfectly, but an old cached version is being displayed.
How to fix a broken layout
Start with the simplest checks.
Open your website in a private browsing window or another browser. If the layout looks correct there, the problem could be related to cached files.
Clear your WordPress caching plugin’s cache and your hosting cache if your provider uses one. If you use a content delivery network, check whether its cache also needs clearing.
Next, check whether the problem affects every page or only one specific post. If it is limited to one page, review your recent edits and page settings.
If the problem started after changing your theme, consider whether the new theme supports the layout or page builder you’re using.
Avoid making multiple design changes at once. Test one change, check the result and then move on to the next.
6. WordPress images are missing or not loading
Images help make blog posts more useful and engaging, but they can occasionally disappear or fail to load.
This might happen because an image URL is incorrect, a file has been moved, a security setting is blocking access or an image optimisation tool is having a problem.
How to fix missing images
Open the affected image in a new browser tab if possible. Check whether the file loads directly.
If it doesn’t, open your WordPress Media Library and confirm that the image still exists. You may need to upload it again or correct the image URL.
If you recently changed your domain or moved your website, some image links may still point to the old address.
You should also check whether your caching or image optimisation plugin is causing the issue. Temporarily testing the relevant setting can help identify the cause.
Don’t delete your original images simply because they aren’t displaying. Check the file location and settings first.
7. WordPress is showing a 500 internal server error
A 500 internal server error indicates that the server encountered a problem it couldn’t handle normally.
Unfortunately, the message doesn’t tell you exactly what went wrong. Possible causes include a faulty plugin, a theme issue, a PHP problem, incorrect configuration or exhausted server resources.
What should you do?
Start by checking your hosting provider’s status information and error logs.
If the issue began after a recent plugin or theme change, investigate that first. Your hosting provider may also be able to identify whether the problem relates to server resources or configuration.
Avoid randomly changing important files such as .htaccess or your WordPress configuration file. If you don’t know what caused the error, ask your host to investigate before making potentially disruptive changes.
If the website was working normally before a specific change, restoring a known-good backup may be an option. Confirm what will be overwritten before proceeding.
8. Your WordPress website is running slowly
A slow website doesn’t always mean something is broken, but it can make your site frustrating to use.
Large images, excessive plugins, inefficient themes, caching problems and hosting limitations can all contribute to poor performance.
I believe website performance deserves regular attention, especially when you’re building a blog that you want Google and visitors to trust.
How to improve website speed
Start by testing your website with Google PageSpeed Insights. Look at the recommendations rather than focusing only on the overall score.
Compress oversized images, remove plugins you no longer need and check that caching is configured correctly.
If you use a managed WordPress hosting service, ask whether your current plan and server configuration are suitable for your website.
Don’t install several optimisation plugins that perform the same functions. They can conflict with one another and sometimes make troubleshooting more difficult.
I’ve also written a separate guide on how to improve your WordPress website speed on SiteGround, which you can read for more detailed advice.
9. WordPress says your website is experiencing a critical error
WordPress may display a message saying that your website has experienced a critical error. This often means a PHP error has stopped part of the website from running.
The message may include an option to check your administrator email for recovery instructions.
Check that email first, including your spam folder. WordPress recovery mode may provide a way to access your dashboard and deactivate the component causing the problem.
If the email identifies a particular plugin or theme, investigate that component before changing anything else.
If you cannot recover the site, contact your hosting provider and ask them to review the error logs.
The important thing is not to panic. A critical error doesn’t automatically mean your website or its content has been permanently lost.
When should you contact your hosting provider?
You can solve many basic WordPress problems yourself, but there are times when professional support is the sensible option.
Contact your hosting provider if your website remains unavailable, you cannot identify the cause of a server error, an update has left the site broken or you suspect a server configuration problem.
You should also seek help promptly if you suspect that your website has been hacked or that customer information may have been exposed.
Before contacting support, gather the information they need. Explain what happened, when the problem started, what you changed recently and whether the issue affects the whole website.
Screenshots and exact error messages can save time.
If you use SiteGround, check the support options available through your account. Your hosting provider may be able to identify server-side problems that are difficult to diagnose from WordPress alone.
How to prevent common WordPress errors
You cannot prevent every technical problem, but a few sensible habits can reduce the risk.
Keep WordPress, your theme and your plugins updated, but take a backup before significant changes. Remove plugins and themes you no longer need, and download software only from trusted sources.
Check that your backups are actually usable rather than assuming they will work when you need them.
Make one significant change at a time, then check your website. If you manage a business website, consider testing major changes on a staging site before applying them to the live version.
Finally, keep an eye on your website’s performance and security. Fixing small issues early can be easier than recovering from a major problem later.
Final thoughts
You don’t need to be a developer to manage a WordPress website successfully. Many common problems can be investigated with a few careful checks and a methodical approach.
The key is to avoid rushing into changes you don’t understand. Back up your website, identify what changed, test one possible solution at a time and contact your hosting provider when the problem goes beyond your experience.
I’ve learned that building an online business involves more than writing content and attracting visitors. You also need to look after the website that supports your work.
If you’re serious about blogging, affiliate marketing or building an income online, learning these basic troubleshooting skills can save you time, reduce unnecessary costs and help you manage your website with greater confidence.
My advice: Keep your website backed up, stay organised and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. You don’t have to do everything yourself to build a successful online business.
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Disclaimer: This article provides general WordPress troubleshooting guidance. Always back up your website before making significant changes. Specific solutions depend on your hosting environment, WordPress version and website configuration.