How To Fix The WordPress Fatal Error?

WordPress fatal errors are the nightmare you never wanted to see on your website. One moment, your site is humming along smoothly, and the next, a blank screen or a cryptic message is all that remains. If you’ve ever encountered this dreaded issue, you’re not alone; countless website owners face this challenge. The good news is that most fatal errors can be fixed quickly with the right approach.

In this article, we’ll guide you through troubleshooting the error. We’ll cover straightforward techniques and tools available to help you get back online as soon as possible. As a WordPress expert, I’ve dealt with these issues many times and can assure you that, with a bit of patience, your site will be back on track, creating a seamless experience for your visitors. Let’s dive in and tackle that WordPress fatal error together.

TL;DR: To fix this, begin by restoring your site from a reliable backup using a tool like BlogVault. This ensures that you have a working version to revert to. Then, use a staging site to troubleshoot and resolve any plugin or theme conflicts without disrupting your live site.

What is the WordPress fatal error?

A WordPress fatal error means there’s a critical issue stopping your site from running smoothly. It doesn’t mean your site no longer exists, but something is preventing it from showing up properly.

Common symptoms of a WordPress fatal error include your site displaying a blank screen, often referred to as the “white screen of death.” You might also see a message saying “briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance.” Additionally, a specific PHP error message may appear on your site.

Common causes of a WordPress fatal error:

• Memory limits are too low
• Incompatible code
• Missing essential files
• Conflicts with themes or plugins

How to fix the WordPress fatal error?

Now that we understand what a WordPress fatal error is and some common causes, it’s crucial to address the issue promptly. A fatal error can impact your site’s accessibility and user experience. Fixing it quickly ensures your website stays live and functional, keeping your visitors engaged and your online reputation intact. In the following section, we will walk through simple steps to troubleshoot and resolve the error efficiently.

1. Restore your site

When you encounter a WordPress fatal error, the first step is to restore your site from a backup. This action quickly returns your site to its last working state, reducing downtime and protecting your content. With your site stable, you can address the error’s root cause without affecting your users’ experience.

Restoring is only possible if you have access to a backup. If you need your WordPress dashboard to access backups, you might be stuck. Manual backups may not allow full restoration. That’s why we recommend using a backup plugin like BlogVault. It offers an external dashboard accessible even if your admin panel is unavailable. Its emergency connector works with crashed sites too.

Expert opinion: After testing top backup plugins extensively, we found BlogVault to be the best due to:
– Reliable, automatic daily backups
– Quick and easy site restoration
– Secure offsite storage
– User-friendly interface
– Seamless integration with WordPress

2. Enable debugging

Debugging shines a light on your site’s hidden errors and processes. It shows detailed error messages, helping you see if a failed plugin update, conflicting theme, or code causes the fatal error. While debugging doesn’t fix the problem, it guides you to the right solution.

1. Connect to your server using an FTP client
2. Navigate to the root directory of your WordPress installation. This is typically where your website’s wp-config.php file is stored. 
3. Carefully scroll down until you find the following line:

define('WP_DEBUG', false); 

Change this line from false to true. If it doesn’t exist, add the following lines above the “That’s all, stop editing!” on your site.

4. Save the changes you’ve made to the wp-config.php file and reupload it back to the server if you need to.
5. Retrigger the error so that it can be logged. 
6. Reconnect to your server and look for a file called debug.log in the wp-content folder.
7. Open this file to review the logged errors and warnings. This information will help identify the cause of the fatal error.
8. After you’ve identified and resolved the issues, return to the wp-config.php file and either remove or change define(‘WP_DEBUG’, true); back to false. This will prevent error messages from showing on your live site.

3. Review plugin conflicts

Plugins enhance your WordPress site but can also cause fatal errors when they clash. These conflicts may disrupt your site’s operation. Identifying plugin conflicts is key to restoring your site’s functionality.

Pro Tip: Use a staging site to safely troubleshoot and resolve plugin conflicts, keeping your live site unaffected.

1. Use your admin credentials to access the WordPress admin panel of your staging site.
2. On the left sidebar, click on Plugins to view all installed plugins.
3. Select all plugins by checking the box at the top of the list.
4. From the Bulk Actions dropdown menu, choose Deactivate, and then click Apply. This will deactivate all your plugins.
5. Activate each plugin one at a time by clicking the Activate link under the plugin name.
6. After activating each plugin, check your site for issues.
7. If the error returns after activating a specific plugin, note it down as it might be the source of the conflict.

Note: If the admin panel is inaccessible, use an FTP client or cPanel. Go to the wp-content/plugins/ directory and rename each plugin’s folder to deactivate them. Reactivate them one-by-one by restoring their original names, testing each time.

4. Increase PHP memory limit

A WordPress fatal error can occur when your site exhausts the server-given memory. The PHP memory limit is the maximum amount of memory allocated to run scripts on your site. It is set low by default to ensure server stability and prevent any single website from using too many resources. This low setting is a safeguard, especially on shared hosting environments. 

However, if this limit is too low, demanding tasks may cause the “WordPress memory exhausted” error. By increasing the PHP memory limit, you provide your site with more resources, helping it handle tasks smoothly and prevent these errors. Let’s explore how to boost this limit in WordPress.

1. Use an FTP client like FileZilla or your web host’s control panel to access your website’s files.
2. Navigate to the root directory where your WordPress is installed. Look for the wp-config.php file.
3. Open the wp-config.php file in a text editor and add the following line just before the comment that says “That’s all, stop editing! Happy publishing”:

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

This sets the memory limit to 256 megabytes. You can adjust this number based on your needs and your host’s capabilities.

4. Save the changes, and if using an FTP client, upload the modified file back to your server, overwriting the original.
5. Visit your WordPress site to confirm the errors are resolved.

5. Update everything

Updating your WordPress site –  core, themes, and plugins is crucial for security and optimal performance. Each update brings enhancements, bug fixes, and sometimes new features, all designed to improve your site. However, updates can sometimes cause new conflicts or even crash your site. Here’s how to update safely:

• Test on a staging site: Before updating, test on a staging site to catch any issues without affecting your live site.
• Make a backup: Always back up your site before updates. If something goes wrong, you can quickly revert to a stable version using a tool like BlogVault.
• Evaluate update risks: Use tools like UpdateLens to assess potential risks with updates.
• Check update notes: Review the update notes for any changes that might impact your site.

Pro Tip: Use MalCare’s Sandbox feature for safe updates. It creates a staging site, applies the update, and runs a visual test. If issues arise, you can troubleshoot there, ensuring your live site stays unaffected and stable.

6. Modify file permissions

File permissions are settings that determine who can read, write, or execute files on your WordPress site. Think of them as rules controlling access to your site’s files and folders. If permissions are too strict, WordPress might be unable to access necessary files, causing a fatal error. On the other hand, too-loose permissions can pose a security risk, allowing unauthorized changes. Correctly setting file permissions is crucial for your site to function smoothly and safely. Adjusting these permissions can resolve fatal errors related to file access issues.

For this tutorial, we’re going to talk about how to check permissions using Cyberduck:

1. Launch Cyberduck and connect to your server using your FTP credentials.
2. Locate the root directory of your WordPress site.
3. Right-click on the file or folder you want to check.
4. Click on Get Info from the menu.
5. Look at the Permissions section to view the current settings.
6. Enter 644 for files or 755 for folders in the Octal or Mode field.
7. Select Apply Changes or Save to update permissions.
8. Check your WordPress site to see if the error resolves.

7. Contact your web host

If you’ve tried every troubleshooting step and a WordPress fatal error persists, reaching out to your hosting provider is a wise move. Hosting providers have deeper insights and powerful diagnostic tools to identify server-specific problems. They can assist in resolving complex issues like server misconfigurations or access-related challenges. Web hosts possess the technical expertise to make necessary adjustments that might be beyond your control or current setup.

8. Reinstall WordPress

When all else fails, reinstalling WordPress may be the last resort to fix a fatal error. This action ensures core files are intact, replacing any that might be corrupted or missing.

Pro Tip: Before starting, back up your entire site, including your database and files. This protects your content and settings.

To reinstall:

• Download the latest WordPress version from the official site.
• Use an FTP client to upload all files, except wp-content and wp-config.php, to your server, overwriting existing files.
• Check your site to see if the error is fixed.
• Reapply any custom changes carefully if they were lost.

Note: Reinstalling WordPress can resolve errors but has risks, including losing custom core file changes and potential data loss. Compatibility issues may arise if plugins/themes rely on specific modifications. Ensure thorough backups and clear understanding of each step. If unsure, seek help from a WordPress expert or your hosting provider to minimize risks.

How to prevent the WordPress fatal error

Preventing a WordPress fatal error is about maintaining your site proactively and following best practices. Here’s how to significantly reduce the risk of these disruptions:

• Regular Updates: Keep your WordPress core, themes, and plugins up to date. Updates often come with critical security fixes and performance improvements that help prevent errors. They ensure your site runs smoothly and securely, reducing vulnerabilities.
• Quality Themes and Plugins: Select themes and plugins from reputable developers. Look for options with good reviews and regular updates. This practice ensures you use stable and secure code, minimizing the risk of installing faulty or insecure plugins.
• Minimize Plugins: Only install necessary plugins to prevent conflicts and reduce the load on your site. This strategy lowers the likelihood of errors caused by plugin conflicts and keeps your site lightweight and efficient.
• Regular Backups: Implement a backup schedule that is designed to protect your site. If an error occurs, you can quickly restore your site to a previous state. Services like BlogVault provide reliable backup solutions, giving you peace of mind.
• Sufficient PHP Memory: Allocate enough PHP memory to your site for smooth operation. Increasing your memory limit helps prevent errors related to insufficient memory when running demanding processes or plugins.
• Debugging Features: Use WordPress’s built-in debugging features to identify and resolve issues proactively. Debugging helps you catch small problems before they escalate into bigger issues, maintaining site stability.
• Staging Environment: Test updates in a staging environment before applying them to your live site. This allows you to spot compatibility issues and ensure everything functions correctly without risking your live site.
• Database Optimization: Regularly clean and optimize your database to enhance performance. This practice reduces the chance of errors caused by database issues, ensuring your site runs efficiently.
• Monitor Server Performance: Keep an eye on your server’s performance and resource usage. Monitoring helps identify potential issues that could lead to errors, allowing you to address them before they impact your site.
• Implement Child Themes: Use a child theme for any theme customizations. Child themes let you update the parent theme without losing custom changes, keeping your site updated and customized safely.

Final thoughts

WordPress fatal errors are common, especially for new admins. While they can seem daunting, knowing how to resolve them quickly is essential. Understanding basic troubleshooting steps, like identifying plugin conflicts and managing updates, is crucial for smooth site operation.

Tools like MalCare are invaluable in preventing errors from disrupting your site. With features such as reliable backups, safe updates, and a secure staging environment, BlogVault helps you proactively address potential problems, ensuring your site remains stable and functional.

FAQs

How do I fix a fatal error in WordPress?

To fix a fatal error in WordPress, start by restoring your site from a backup. Then, enable debugging to identify the issue. Check for plugin conflicts by deactivating plugins and reactivating them one at a time. Ensure your WordPress core, themes, and plugins are updated. If needed, increase your PHP memory limit and review file permissions. As a last resort, consider reinstalling WordPress. For comprehensive protection, use a backup tool like BlogVault.

How do you resolve a fatal error?

Resolving a fatal error involves several steps. First, enable debugging to identify the cause. Check for conflicts with plugins or themes by disabling them and re-enabling them individually. Update all aspects of your site, including WordPress core, plugins, and themes, to patch possible issues. Ensure sufficient PHP memory is allocated. Adjust file permissions if needed. If errors persist, seek help from your hosting provider or reinstall WordPress as a last option.

How do I fix a fatal error detected?

When a fatal error is detected, begin by backing up your site. Use debugging to pinpoint the issue and identify any conflicting plugins or themes. Update WordPress, themes, and plugins to the latest versions. Check your PHP memory limit and file permissions for any issues. If these steps don’t fix the error, contact your hosting provider for assistance or consider reinstalling WordPress.

What is the fatal error notification on WordPress?

A fatal error notification on WordPress indicates a critical problem preventing the site from functioning properly. It usually appears as a “white screen of death” or specific error message related to PHP. This notification can be caused by plugin conflicts, theme issues, exhausted memory limits, or incorrect file permissions. Prompt action is needed to address the underlying issue and restore site functionality.