blank screen, memory limit, white screen, wordpress
January 14, 2025
coder.arifbd

WordPress White Screen of Death: Causes and How to Fix It

The WordPress White Screen of Death (WSOD) is one of the most common and frustrating issues faced by WordPress users. It leaves a blank white screen instead of your website's content, making it inaccessible to both visitors and administrators. In this guide, we will explore the causes of WSOD and provide step-by-step solutions to fix it.

What Causes the WordPress White Screen of Death?

1. Plugin or Theme Conflicts

Incompatible or poorly coded plugins and themes are common culprits.

2. PHP Memory Limit Exhaustion

WordPress needs sufficient memory to run. If your site exhausts its allocated memory, it may result in WSOD.

3. Syntax Errors in Code

Custom code snippets with syntax errors can break the website.

4. Corrupted Core Files

Damaged WordPress core files can disrupt site functionality.

5. Server Issues

Server-side problems, such as misconfigurations or insufficient resources, may cause WSOD.

How to Fix the WordPress White Screen of Death

1. Check for Plugin Conflicts

Access your site via FTP or the hosting file manager.
Navigate to the wp-content folder and rename the plugins directory to plugins_backup.
Check your site. If it loads, a plugin conflict caused the issue.
Rename the folder back to plugins and reactivate plugins one by one to identify the faulty one.

2. Switch to a Default Theme

Access your WordPress files via FTP.
Navigate to wp-content/themes and rename your active theme's folder.
WordPress will automatically switch to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Three.
WordPress will automatically switch to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Three.

3. Increase PHP Memory Limit

				
					console.log( 'Code is Poetry' );

4. Enable Debugging

				
					define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);

5. Check for Syntax Errors

6. Restore Core Files

Preventing the White Screen of Death

Keep Plugins and Themes Updated
Regular updates ensure compatibility and security.
Choose well-reviewed and frequently updated plugins and themes.
Backup Your Site Regularly
Monitor Your Site’s Performance

Conclusion

The WordPress White Screen of Death can be daunting, but with a systematic approach, it is usually fixable. By identifying the root cause and applying the right solutions, you can restore your site and prevent future occurrences. Always follow best practices for updates, backups, and debugging to keep your WordPress site running smoothly.

Ariful Islam