How to Fix Critical Errors on WordPress (Step-by-Step Guide)

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Imagine this: You wake up, grab a cup of coffee, and take a seat down to test your WordPress website—best to look the feared message:

“There has been a critical mistake in this internet site.”

Frustrating, right? Vital mistakes can lock you from your web site, forestall visitors from getting access to your content, and even hurt your SEO. But don’t panic! In this manual, I’ll stroll you thru how to restore critical mistakes on WordPress inside the best manner viable.

Whether you’re coping with plugin conflicts, PHP errors, database disasters, or a WooCommerce issue, I’ll assist you How to Fix Critical Errors on WordPress step by step. Let’s get started!

How To Fix Critical Errors on WordPress Helps Increase Website Traffic

A important mistakes on WordPress doesn’t simply make your web site inaccessible—it may additionally harm your website traffic. When your web site is down, site visitors can’t get right of entry to your content, and engines like Google may lower your rankings if mistakes persist. Fixing these issues fast ensures that your website online stays seen, speedy, and person-friendly, which is key to developing your website site visitors.

If you’re running on increasing visitors to your new internet site, retaining your website error-free, up to date, and optimized is just as important as search engine optimization and advertising and marketing strategies. Once your web site is walking smoothly, awareness on growing exquisite content material, enhancing web page speed, and promoting your web page to attract extra site visitors.

What is a Critical Error on a Website?

A critical error happens when something prevents WordPress from loading properly. Before WordPress 5.2, you would just see the White Screen of Death (WSoD), giving you no clue what went wrong. Now, WordPress at least sends an email to the admin with details about the issue.

Common causes include:

Faulty plugins or themes
PHP memory exhaustion
Corrupt WordPress files
Database connection errors
Incompatible WordPress updates

If you didn’t obtain an e-mail, don’t fear! Let’s go through different methods to diagnose and fasten the problem.

What Causes Critical Errors in WordPress?

A WordPress critical error is often caused by one of the following:

1️⃣ Plugin or Theme Conflicts

A recent plugin or theme update could be incompatible with WordPress or another plugin.
Poorly coded plugins can break site functionality and cause errors.

2️⃣ PHP Memory Limit Exhaustion

WordPress needs a certain amount of memory to run properly. If the memory limit is too low, scripts fail to execute, causing a critical error.

3️⃣ Corrupt WordPress Core Files

Files can become corrupted due to incomplete updates, malware infections, or accidental deletion.

4️⃣ Database Connection Issues

If WordPress can’t connect to the database, the website won’t function. This can appear because of incorrect database credentials or a damaged database.

5️⃣ Outdated PHP Version

WordPress and plugins require newer versions of PHP to function. Using an outdated PHP version can cause compatibility issues.

6️⃣ Malware or Hacked Website

If a hacker injects malicious code into your website, WordPress can also crash to save you further damage.

How to Fix Critical Errors on WordPress

Now, let’s go through how to fix critical errors on WordPress step-by-step solutions to get your site working again.

1️⃣ Check Your Email for a WordPress Recovery Link

Open your email inbox (check spam too).
Look for an electronic mail from WordPress with the concern “Your Site is Experiencing a Technical Issue.”
Click the Recovery Mode link in the email.
Disable the plugin or theme causing the error.

If you didn’t receive an e-mail, flow to the next step.

2️⃣ Enable WordPress Debugging Mode

Enabling debugging mode helps identify the exact error message instead of a generic “critical error” screen.

How to Enable Debug Mode:

Access your site thru FTP (the use of FileZilla).
Navigate to the wp-config.php record on your WordPress root folder.
Open it in a textual content editor and discover this line:

4.  define( 'WP_DEBUG', false );

Change it to:

6.  define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );

7.  define( 'WP_DEBUG_LOG', true );

8.  define( 'WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false );

Save and re-upload the file.

Now, visit your site again to view the error log, which will help identify the cause.

3️⃣ How to Fix Fatal Errors in WordPress via Deactivating All Plugins

A faulty plugin is the most commonplace motive of fatal errors in WordPress. If you could’t access the WordPress dashboard, deactivate plugins manually using FTP.

How to Disable Plugins via FTP:

Open FileZilla and connect to your site.
Navigate to wp-content/plugins/.
Rename the plugins folder to something like plugins_old.
Try accessing your site again.

If your site works, rename the folder back to “plugins” and reactivate each plugin one by one to identify the faulty one.

4️⃣ Critical Errors in WordPress GitHub and HTML Issues

Some users report critical errors on WordPress GitHub when modifying WordPress HTML files. This often happens when modifying:

wp-config.php
.htaccess
functions.php

Fixing WordPress HTML and GitHub Errors:

Restore your original WordPress files from WordPress GitHub.
Use an FTP client to upload clean versions of:
- wp-includes
- wp-admin
Ensure .htaccess is correctly formatted. You can regenerate it by:
- Navigating to Settings → Permalinks
- Clicking Save Changes

If the error persists, a plugin or theme is likely causing it.

5️⃣ How to Fix a WordPress PHP 8 Critical Error

Many WordPress PHP 8 critical errors happen when plugins or themes are incompatible with PHP 8.0+.

How to Fix PHP 8 Errors in WordPress:

Check your hosting panel (cPanel, Plesk, or another).
Find the PHP Version Manager.
If you’re using PHP 8.0 or 8.1, transfer lower back to PHP 7.4.
Save changes and check if your site works.

If the error is resolved, the issue is an incompatible plugin or theme—contacts the developer for updates.

6️⃣ WooCommerce Causing Critical Error? Here’s How to Fix It

WooCommerce is a powerful eCommerce plugin, however once in a while an update or conflict can reason a critical mistakes.

How to Fix WooCommerce Critical Errors:

Disable WooCommerce via FTP:
- Navigate to wp-content/plugins/
- Rename the woocommerce folder to woocommerce_old
Check your PHP version—WooCommerce works best with PHP 7.4 or later.
Update WooCommerce manually by downloading a fresh copy from WordPress.org.
Re-enable the plugin and check for errors.

If the error persists, deactivate other plugins to check for conflicts.

7️⃣ Increase PHP Memory Limit

If memory exhaustion is the issue, increasing the PHP memory limit can fix it.

How to Increase Memory Limit:

Open wp-config.php via FTP.
Add this line before /* That's all, stop editing! */:

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

Save and re-upload the record.

8️⃣ Repair the WordPress Database

A damaged database can cause WordPress to fail.

Open wp-config.php via FTP.
Add this line before /* That's all, stop editing! */:

3.  define('WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true);

Go to https://yourwebsite.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php.
Click “Repair Database.”

Once done, remove the line from wp-config.php.

How to Prevent Future Critical Errors

Keep WordPress, themes, and plugins updated.
Use a staging site to test updates before applying them.
Monitor website health with a security plugin like Wordfence.
Enable computerized backups to speedy recover from crashes.
Use simplest respectable themes and plugins from trusted sources.

Final Thoughts

A crucial mistake on WordPress may be frightening, however it’s fixable. Whether the difficulty is plugin conflicts, PHP errors, database troubles, or memory limits, following these step-by-step solutions for how to fix critical errors on WordPress have to help repair your web page quickly.

If the issue persists, do not forget contacting expert WordPress aid for professional help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a critical error?

A critical error is a serious issue that prevents WordPress from loading properly. It usually happens due to a plugin or theme conflict, PHP memory limit exhaustion, database connection failure, or corrupt WordPress core files.

How to fix a fatal error in WordPress?

A fatal error in WordPress is usually caused by incompatible plugins, broken themes, or PHP-related issues. To fix it, follow these steps:
Enable Debugging Mode:
Edit your wp-config.php file and set:
define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);
This will create a debug log (wp-content/debug.log) where you can check what caused the error.
Deactivate All Plugins:
Use FTP (FileZilla) or your hosting control panel.
Rename the wp-content/plugins/ folder to plugins_old to disable all plugins.
Switch to a Default Theme:
Rename your current theme folder (wp-content/themes/your-theme) and let WordPress revert to a default theme.
Increase PHP Memory Limit:
Add this to wp-config.php:
define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
Check for Corrupt Core Files:
Download a fresh WordPress version and upload wp-admin and wp-includes folders via FTP.
If the error persists, contact your hosting provider for further assistance.

How do I remove critical errors from WordPress?

To remove critical errors from WordPress, follow these step-by-step solutions:
Check your email for a WordPress Recovery Mode link and disable the faulty plugin/theme.
Manually deactivate plugins via FTP or phpMyAdmin.
Switch to a default theme (like Twenty Twenty-Four) using FTP.
Enable debugging mode to find the error message.
Update PHP version (recommended: PHP 8.0 or later).
Increase memory limit (WP_MEMORY_LIMIT).
Restore a backup if nothing else works.
By systematically troubleshooting, you can remove critical errors permanently.

How do I fix a WordPress server error?

A WordPress server error (HTTP 500 or 503) usually happens due to misconfigured plugins, PHP execution issues, or hosting-related problems. Here’s how to fix it:
Check Error Logs:
Enable debug mode (wp-config.php) to see the exact error.
Increase PHP Memory Limit:
Add this to wp-config.php:
define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
Deactivate All Plugins:
Rename wp-content/plugins/ to plugins_old.
Switch to a Default Theme:
Rename wp-content/themes/your-theme.
Check the .htaccess File:
Go to your root folder and rename .htaccess to .htaccess_old.
Regenerate it by going to Settings → Permalinks → Save Changes.
Upgrade PHP Version:
Use your hosting cPanel or Plesk to switch to PHP 8.0 or later.
If the issue persists, contact your hosting provider, as it may be a server-related problem.

How do I clear the WordPress cache?

Clearing the WordPress cache can fix issues like outdated content, slow loading times, and even critical errors. Here’s how to do it:
1. Clear Cache Using a Plugin
If you’re using a caching plugin like:
WP Rocket
W3 Total Cache
WP Super Cache
Then go to Settings → Cache Plugin → Clear Cache.
2. Clear Server-Side Cache
If you use Cloudflare, SiteGround, or Bluehost, log into your hosting account and clear the server cache from the control panel.
3. Clear Browser Cache
Open your browser.
Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + Delete (Mac).
Clear cookies and cached data.
Once cleared, refresh your website and check if the issue is resolved.

How do I fix “There has been a critical error on this website” in WordPress?

This common WordPress error means something is preventing WordPress from loading. Here’s how to fix it:
Check Your Email for the Recovery Mode Link:
If WordPress sends you an email, use the Recovery Mode link to disable the faulty plugin or theme.
Enable Debugging Mode:
Edit wp-config.php and add:
define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);
Deactivate All Plugins Using FTP:
Rename wp-content/plugins/ to plugins_old.
Switch to a Default Theme:
Rename your active theme’s folder in wp-content/themes/.
Increase PHP Memory Limit:
Add this to wp-config.php:
define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
Restore a Backup:
If all else fails, restore your latest backup from UpdraftPlus or your hosting provider.
If the issue persists, contact your web hosting support.

Can outdated plugins cause a WordPress critical error?

Yes, outdated plugins are a major cause of WordPress critical errors. Here’s why:
Incompatibility with WordPress Updates – If a plugin isn’t updated for months, it may not work with the latest WordPress version.
Conflicts with Other Plugins or Themes – Outdated plugins might not function correctly with newer plugins or themes.
Security Vulnerabilities – Hackers can exploit old, unpatched plugins to inject malicious code into your site.
PHP Version Mismatch – Many plugins require PHP 8.0 or later to work properly.
How to Avoid Plugin-Related Critical Errors:
Always update your plugins (Settings → Plugins → Update).
Use plugins from trusted developers with regular updates.
Test updates on a staging site before applying them to your live site.
Remove unused plugins to prevent conflicts.
If a plugin causes a critical error, disable it via FTP and look for an alternative.

Lorena Piadopo

Lorena V. Piadopo, Technical SEO Manager and our esteemed content writing author. She brings over eight years of experience in Technical SEO to executive and operations team. She ensures that the team stays organized and projects run smoothly and on time. Outside of work, She cherishes family time, enjoys cooking, swimming and loves being in nature.