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Troubleshooting Common WordPress Issues: From Plugin Conflicts to Update Failures

33 threads Sep 16, 2025 Core → Fixing wordpress

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WordPress is a powerful platform, but even the most well-maintained site can run into unexpected problems. Many issues, from a broken dashboard to a white screen of death, share common root causes. This guide will walk you through the most effective troubleshooting steps to diagnose and resolve these common WordPress errors.

Why Do These Problems Happen?

The vast majority of WordPress issues stem from a few key areas:

  • Plugin or Theme Conflicts: This is the number one cause of problems. An update to WordPress core, a plugin, or your theme can create incompatibilities that break functionality.
  • Outdated Software: Running ancient versions of PHP, WordPress, themes, or plugins is a major security risk and can lead to malfunctions, especially after server updates.
  • File Permission Errors: Incorrect permissions on your wp-content directory can prevent you from installing plugins, updating software, or creating backups, often resulting in errors like "Installation failed: Unable to create directory."
  • Resource Exhaustion: A full server disk, CPU overloading, or memory limits can cause timeouts, failed updates, and slow admin performance.
  • Corrupted Core Files: A failed update or server issue can sometimes leave WordPress core files in a corrupted state.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

1. The First Step: Conflict Testing

Before you do anything else, you need to identify if a plugin or theme is causing the conflict.

  • Manual Method: Deactivate all your plugins and switch to a default Twenty Series theme (like Twenty Twenty-Four). If the problem resolves, reactivate your plugins one by one, checking your site after each activation, to find the culprit. Finally, switch back to your main theme to test it.
  • Easier Method (Recommended): Install the free Health Check & Troubleshooting plugin. It allows you to deactivate plugins and switch themes in a special "Troubleshooting Mode" that only affects your admin experience—your site visitors will see everything normally.

2. Check for Basic Server Issues

If the conflict test doesn't work, investigate these common server-related problems:

  • Disk Space: Contact your hosting provider or check your control panel to ensure your server disk is not full. A full disk will break core functionality.
  • PHP Version: Ensure you are running a modern, supported version of PHP (e.g., PHP 8.0, 8.1, or 8.2). Using an outdated version (e.g., PHP 7.x or lower) can cause conflicts with updated plugins and themes.
  • File Permissions: Permissions for folders should typically be set to 755 and files to 644. Your hosting provider can help you verify and correct these if you are unsure.

3. Enable Debugging to Find Hidden Errors

Many errors occur behind the scenes. Enabling debugging will make them visible, giving you a crucial clue. Note: Only do this temporarily on a live site, as it can reveal sensitive information to visitors.

Add these lines to your wp-config.php file, just above the line that says /* That's all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */:

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

This will create a debug.log file in your /wp-content/ directory where all errors will be written. Remember to reverse these changes after troubleshooting.

4. When All Else Fails: The Nuclear Option (Reinstall/Restore)

If you cannot pinpoint the issue, you may need to reset your environment.

  • Reinstall WordPress Core: In your dashboard, go to Dashboard > Updates and click "Reinstall now." This replaces core files without affecting your content, themes, or plugins.
  • Restore from a Backup: If you have a recent, known-good backup from a reliable plugin like UpdraftPlus, use it to restore your site to a previous working state. Always maintain regular backups.

When to Seek Specialized Help

Some issues require support from the specific developer:

  • Commercial Themes & Plugins: If your issue is isolated to a premium theme (e.g., Porto, Bridge, Divi) or a premium plugin (e.g., LayerSlider, WPBakery), you must contact the product's dedicated support team. They have the specific knowledge to help you. BugWP.com and other independent forums cannot provide support for commercial products.
  • Complex Developer Issues: Problems like custom-coded database queries causing constant errors or deep theme framework incompatibilities often require a professional WordPress developer to audit and fix the code.

By following this structured approach, you can systematically eliminate the most common causes of WordPress problems and get your site back on track.

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