9 Ways To Fix The WordPress White Screen Of Death

You’re understandably nervous to see that your WordPress site suddenly turns into a blank, white screen. This is known as the “White Screen of Death” (WSOD), and it can happen for many common reasons. But, how do you troubleshoot a WordPress error without further damage?

The first step is to restore your backup right away. 

With your site back up, even temporarily, you can calmly look into what’s causing the problem without the pressure of keeping your site afloat for visitors. In this article, we’ll go over several ways to identify and troubleshoot the trigger. 

TL;DR: Fixing the WordPress White Screen of Death (WSOD) often involves making changes to core files. We strongly advise creating a staging site to perform these troubleshooting steps before applying them to your live site. 

What is the WordPress White Screen of Death (WSOD) Error?

The White Screen of Death (WSOD) means that your website is showing a blank page. It makes it difficult to identify the problem due to the lack of error messages. This often happens during WordPress updates, activation of plugins or themes, or after code changes. 

Common causes include:

• Conflicts with plugins
• Incompatible themes 
• Settings or resource limitations 
• Syntax mistakes 

The WSOD can make your site temporarily inaccessible, potentially affecting visitor numbers and revenue. If you have a WordPress backup plugin, restore your site to the last functional version to avoid further downtime. 

How to fix the WordPress White Screen of Death error?

In this section, we’ll discuss several troubleshooting methods to resolve the issue. However, you run the risk of further downtime if you make changes to your live site. Instead, we recommend troubleshooting the error on a staging site first. 

Start by triggering the error on your test site. For example, if updating a specific plugin caused the WSOD, update that plugin on the staging site to replicate the issue. Then, troubleshoot the error as mentioned in this section. Once you’ve identified the problem, you can push changes to the live site. 

Here are 9 ways to troubleshoot the error:

1. Review debug logs

When you encounter the WordPress White Screen of Death (WSOD) or a crashed website, gaining more insight into the issue can be crucial for troubleshooting. Enabling debugging in WordPress allows error messages to display, making it easier to pinpoint what’s causing the problem. Follow these steps to enable debugging:

1. Use an FTP client to connect to your website’s server.
2. Find the wp-config.php file in the root directory of your WordPress installation.
3. Open the wp-config.php file using a text editor.
4. Look for the line:

define('WP_DEBUG', false); 

and change it to:

define('WP_DEBUG', true);

If the line is absent, add it just before the line 

/* That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */.

5. Save the changes and upload the modified file back to your server.

Once debugging is enabled in WordPress, revisit your website. Instead of the featureless blank page that forms the White Screen of Death (WSOD), you’ll now see error messages. These messages act as important clues, indicating specific issues or conflicts within your site’s code, plugins, or theme. 

2. Review failed updates

When WordPress core, plugins or a theme update fails, it can cause problems. They don’t complete correctly, they may disrupt your site. Start by logging into your WordPress dashboard and accessing Dashboard > Updates to check for update errors or pending updates. Manually update any outdated components to ensure they receive the latest features and security patches. For the WordPress core, download the most recent version from WordPress.org and use an FTP client to replace existing files. Do the same for theme and plugin updates, using files from trusted sources. After completing these updates, check to see if the WSOD is resolved. This process is crucial for keeping your site secure and running smoothly.

3. Troubleshoot plugin conflicts:

Sometimes, plugins can cause clashes with each other or with WordPress itself, leading to the White Screen of Death (WSOD). To determine if a plugin is at fault, follow these steps to troubleshoot plugin conflicts:

1. Use an FTP client to access your site’s files.
2. Navigate to the wp-content directory.
3. Rename the plugins folder to “plugins-deactivated”.
4. Check your website to see if it loads correctly.
5. If your site functions properly, a plugin is likely causing the problem.
6. Rename the folder back to “plugins”.
7. Open the “plugins” folder and individually rename each plugin folder, one at a time.
8. After renaming each folder, check your site to identify which plugin triggers the issue. 

Once you’ve identified the troublesome plugin, consider updating it, replacing it with an alternative, or contacting the plugin’s developer for support.

4. Solve for theme conflicts

Dealing with theme conflicts can be crucial when addressing the WordPress White Screen of Death (WSOD). Themes, much like plugins, can lead to problems if they are outdated, corrupted, or incompatible with your site’s configuration. A troublesome update or old software is often the root cause. Here’s how to troubleshoot and resolve theme conflicts:

1. Use an FTP client to connect to your website’s files.
2. Navigate to the wp-content folder and open the themes directory.
3. Find your active theme and rename its folder to something like “theme-deactivated.”
4. If a default theme exists, WordPress will switch to it automatically.
5. Check if your website is now working. If it is, the theme may be causing the issue.

Consider updating the theme to its latest version, replacing it with a different theme, or removing it entirely if it’s defective. You can also reach out to the heme developers and wait for them to provide an update that fixes the problem. 

5. Increase memory limit

If your website is stuck with the WordPress White Screen of Death (WSOD) due to insufficient memory, boosting the memory limit can help resolve the issue. By allocating more memory, your site gains the ability to process greater amounts of data, often leading to improved performance and stability. Here’s how to increase the WordPress memory limit:  

1. Use an FTP client to connect to your server and access your website files.
2. Navigate to the root directory of your WordPress installation and find the wp-config.php file.
3. Open the wp-config.php file using a text editor.
4. Add the following line of code near the top of the file, 

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

5. Save the changes to the file and upload the modified wp-config.php back to your server.

6. Change execution time limit

The WordPress White Screen of Death (WSOD) can sometimes result from your server’s difficulty in handling long-running scripts or extensive data inputs. To prevent this, it’s crucial to optimize your server’s PHP settings for script execution and data processing. By modifying settings to improve CPU usage, you grant the server additional time to execute scripts and process large inputs. This adjustment proves especially valuable for sites equipped with complex themes, extensive plugins, or large data volumes. Follow these steps to enhance your PHP text processing capabilities:

1. Log into your hosting account’s control panel.
2. Find and access the PHP Settings or PHP Configuration section.
3. Locate the max_execution_time setting and increase its value to something like 300 seconds to allow longer script run times.
4. Find the max_input_time setting and set it to a similar value, such as 300 seconds, to offer ample time for input processing.
5. Apply the new settings and ensure they are saved.
6. If necessary, restart your web server for the changes to take effect.

7. Modify file permissions

Incorrect file permissions can lead to the WordPress White Screen of Death (WSOD) by blocking access to essential files required for your site to function properly. Ensuring the correct permissions are set helps to prevent this issue. Follow these steps to check and adjust file permissions:

1. Open the Cyberduck application on your computer.
2. Click on Open Connection and enter your FTP credentials, including server address, username, and password.
3. Click Connect to reach your site’s files and navigate to the main WordPress directory.
4. Right-click on a folder, select Info, navigate to the Permissions tab, and set the permissions to 755. Click Apply to save your changes.
5. Right-click on a specific file, select Info, go to the Permissions tab, and change the permissions to 644. Click Apply to confirm.

6. Follow these steps for additional files and folders to ensure that all permissions are correctly set.

Adjusting file permissions is a straightforward yet effective way to help resolve the WSOD and ensure your WordPress site operates smoothly and securely.

8. Check for syntax errors

Checking for syntax errors is a crucial step in resolving the WordPress White Screen of Death (WSOD). Syntax errors occur when there are mistakes in your site’s code—these could be as simple as a missing semicolon, an unmatched bracket, or incorrect file structure. While these errors might seem minor, they can cause your entire site to crash, resulting in the WSOD.

Pro tip: Take a backup before you make changes to your WordPress code. 

When WordPress encounters a syntax error, it often halts the execution of scripts, leading to a blank screen that offers no immediate clues about the underlying issue. Identifying and correcting these errors allows your server to properly interpret and execute your site’s code, thus restoring functionality.

Check error messages that indicate the nature and location of the mistake. Carefully review the lines of code highlighted in the error messages using a text editor. Correct any errors you find, such as fixing misplaced symbols or ensuring all tags are appropriately closed.

9. Clear cache

Clearing your WordPress cache can be a vital step in resolving the WordPress White Screen of Death (WSOD). Cached files allow browsers and servers to store copies of your website to improve loading speeds and user experience. However, sometimes these cached versions can cause conflicts, particularly after updates or changes to your site, resulting in the WSOD.

Begin by clearing the cache from your WordPress caching plugin, if you use one. Each plugin has its own method, but typically you’ll find a “Clear Cache” option within the plugin settings on your WordPress dashboard. This action will prompt the plugin to remove stored files, ensuring that any outdated or corrupted data is no longer displayed.

Next, clear your browser cache. Cached data saved by browsers can also interfere with how your site loads. This can be done via the settings menu in your browser, where you can clear browsing data, including cached images and files. By doing this, your browser will fetch the most recent version of your site directly from the server.

Finally, consider clearing the server cache if your host provides server-side caching. This process may involve accessing your hosting control panel or contacting your hosting provider for support. Once all cache levels have been cleared, reload your site to see if the WSOD has been resolved. Regularly clearing your cache not only assists in troubleshooting issues like the WSOD but also helps in maintaining the efficient functioning of your website.

How to prevent future errors?

After resolving the WordPress White Screen of Death (WSOD), it’s essential to implement strategies that prevent recurrence and ensure your website’s stability. By adopting proactive measures, you can maintain a reliable and error-free site. Here are some key preventive steps to consider:

• Regularly update WordPress core, plugins, and themes to their latest versions. Updates provide bug fixes and security patches, reducing vulnerabilities that could lead to WSOD. Use tools like UpdateLens to review an update before you push it. 
• Opt for well-coded themes and plugins from trusted sources to minimize compatibility issues and prevent site disruptions. Avoid nulled themes to ensure quality. 
• When customizing your theme, create a child theme to preserve changes during theme updates, avoiding the loss of customizations.
• Ensure your hosting environment provides sufficient PHP memory. Adequate resources prevent site crashes and support smoother performance.
• Add `define(‘WP_DEBUG’, true);` in wp-config.php to detect issues early, allowing error messages to guide you in resolving problems before escalation.
• Use backup services like MalCare to secure your data. Regular backups protect your site content, enabling easy restoration if needed.
• Only use essential plugins and review them regularly. Fewer plugins reduce conflict risks, and keeping them updated protects against vulnerabilities.
• Use MalCare’s staging environment to test updates safely, preventing errors from impacting your live site and audience.
• Choose a hosting provider with optimized server configurations for WordPress, improving site performance and reducing server-related WSOD risks.
• Utilize tools like activity logs and performance monitors to track user behaviour and watch uptime. This will help you identify issues early, allowing quick resolutions and maintaining a seamless user experience.

Final thoughts

Encountering the WordPress White Screen of Death (WSOD) serves as a stark reminder for site administrators about the critical importance of diligent site backups. These errors can appear out of nowhere, leading to potential data loss, frantic troubleshooting, and significant site downtime. 

Using a reliable backup service like MalCare can revolutionize your approach to managing your WordPress site. MalCare provides automatic daily backups, ensuring your data remains secure and retrievable. When errors occur, restoring your site to its recent stable state is straightforward, significantly reducing the anxiety that accompanies the WSOD. 

FAQs

How to fix the white screen of death in WordPress?

To resolve the WordPress White Screen of Death (WSOD), begin by systematically troubleshooting common issues associated with it. First, deactivate all your plugins to check if any conflicts arise from them, which could be causing the WSOD. If the problem persists, switch your site to a default WordPress theme, as theme conflicts or corruption might be to blame. It’s also beneficial to increase the PHP memory limit in the wp-config.php file to ensure your site has sufficient resources to operate. Correct file permissions through an FTP client may resolve access problems that contribute to the WSOD. Activate debugging mode in WordPress, which will display error messages to help identify the root causes. If a recent change led to the error, consider restoring your website from a backup to quickly revert to a stable state.

How to fix the white screen of death on a website?

Addressing a white screen of death on your website involves several key steps. Begin by clearing your browser cache and any caching plugins on WordPress, ensuring you see the latest version of your site and not a faulty cached version. Use an FTP client to disable all plugins and switch back to a default theme, thereby identifying the source of the problem, be it a plugin or theme. Spanning beyond the WordPress dashboard, review your server’s error logs, which might provide specific clues guiding you toward a solution. You may also need to increase PHP memory limits within wp-config.php to offer your site additional resources. Furthermore, check your hosting provider’s configurations to ensure everything is appropriately set up.

How do you fix a white screen of death?

Fixing a white screen of death calls for a structured approach. Start by disabling your plugins and reverting to a standard theme; these steps help narrow down the cause to either plugin or theme conflicts. If the site remains down, consider increasing the PHP memory limit in the wp-config.php file to ensure enough resources are allocated. Examine any custom scripts for coding errors, as a minor syntax mistake could break the site. Check file permissions via an FTP client; incorrect permissions could restrict necessary file access. If these strategies do not produce results, restoring a recent backup using a service like MalCare ensures a swift, efficient resolution to the WSOD, bringing your site back online.

Why is my website showing a blank white page?

A blank white page, known as the white screen of death, typically signals PHP errors or memory issues. It often occurs due to incompatible plugins or themes, syntax errors within site code, or insufficient server resources. Begin by examining your server logs for error details, ensuring that all plugins, themes, and the WordPress core are up-to-date. Increasing PHP memory limits can sometimes resolve the issue by allowing the site to process more requests, highlighting the importance of diagnosing the underlying cause thoroughly.

What are the signs of the white screen of death?

The most notable sign of the white screen of death is encountering a completely blank page when accessing your website, devoid of any error messages or content. This issue may impact the entire site or be confined to specific pages. Commonly, it emerges after carrying out updates, activating new themes or plugins, or editing existing code. Since the WSOD lacks immediate clues, careful investigation into recent changes or developments is often necessary to determine and resolve the underlying problems.