WordPress There Has Been a Critical Error on this Website: How to Fix it

WordPress Critical Error on this Website

Introduction to WordPress Critical Error

Encountering a critical error on your WordPress website can be an unwelcome and exasperating experience, particularly from the perspective of a website owner or administrator. Such mistakes can prevent your website from functioning properly, which will decrease both visits and revenue. We will explore major issues on WordPress websites in this article, as well as their typical causes and, most importantly, effective fixes.

Understanding the Critical Error on WordPress

Let’s first define what a critical error on WordPress entails before moving on to solutions. A critical error represents a significant problem that has the potential to render your website inoperative or entirely unreachable. You may have a message replacing your content on the home page that states, “Your Web site has encountered some kind of major error.”  Although this is a concerning message, the good news is that the majority of serious mistakes can be fixed with the appropriate methodology.

Understanding the Critical Error on WordPress

Common Causes of Critical Errors

Several factors may result in a critical error, although some are more frequent. Prior to embarking on the resolution process, it’s imperative to pinpoint the primary cause of the error. Here are some common causes:

1. Plugin and Theme Issues:

Many WordPress critical errors stem from compatibility problems with plugins and themes. When a plugin or theme exhibits subpar coding or enters into conflicts with other elements on your website, it has the potential to trigger a critical error.

2. Memory Exhaustion:

WordPress relies on memory to function correctly. When your website’s memory limit is exhausted, it can result in a critical error. This is typically the result of a sudden increase in your website’s traffic, or if you are conducting resource intensive operations.

3. Corrupted Files:

Corrupted core files or database tables can also be the culprits behind critical errors. Such occurrences can be attributed to an array of factors, encompassing server-related complications, the presence of malware, or disruptions during the update process.

How to Fix a Critical Error on Your WordPress Website

This ominous message frequently surfaces in the form of “A critical error has occurred on your website.”  Your website effectively shuts down as a result, and you are then faced with the difficult chore of fixing the problem.

But there’s no need to freak out. Although they can be difficult to overcome, critical errors are not impossible. Find the steps to resolve this.

Step 1: Identifying the Issue

Finding the root causes of critical errors is important before fixing them. This can be a bit difficult because critical error messages often don’t provide much information. Below are the points on how to detect the problem:

    1. Check the Error Message: Start by reading the error message carefully. Occasionally, it might offer a hint regarding the issue, such a reference to a certain file or function.
    2. Enable WordPress Debugging: You can turn on WordPress debugging if the error message isn’t detailed enough. To fix it, add the given below line to your wpconfig.php file:

      define(‘WP_DEBUG’, true);

      By observing the issue in detail on your website, you can easily catch the problem. Just remember to turn off debugging once you’ve resolved the error.
    3. Check the Error Logs: Your hosting provider might keep error logs that can provide additional information about the problem. These logs are often accessible through your hosting control panel or via FTP.

You can determine the underlying reason of the critical error by following these instructions, regardless of whether it has to do with a particular plugin, theme, or other problem with your WordPress website.

Step 2: Deactivating Plugins and Themes

Deactivate Plugin

The operation and design of your WordPress site depend on plugins and themes. However, they can also be common sources of critical errors, especially when they’re outdated, incompatible, or poorly coded.

    1. Access the WordPress Dashboard: Upon identifying this error, if your website remains accessible, you can proceed to log in to the WordPress admin dashboard.
    2. Deactivate Plugins: In the admin dashborad, navigate to “Plugin” option. To pinpoint the problematic plugin, a systematic approach involves deactivating them individually, scrutinizing each one to identify the source of the error. You can stop all plugins by renaming the “plugins” folder using FTP if you do not have access to your dashboard. Then, you may reactivate each one separately to identify the offender.
    3. Deactivate Themes: Similarly, you can deactivate themes by going to the “Appearance” section in your dashboard. If you can’t access your dashboard, use FTP to rename the “themes” folder to deactivate your themes.
    4. Test Your Site: After deactivating plugins and themes, check your website to see if the critical error is resolved. If it is, you’ve successfully identified the issue. You can then work on finding a suitable replacement or a solution for the problematic plugin or theme.

Step 3: Increasing Memory Limit

Increasing Memory Limit

WordPress relies on memory to function correctly. When your site experiences a spike in traffic or runs resource-intensive tasks, it can lead to memory exhaustion and, subsequently, a critical error. Here’s how to increase the memory limit:

    1. Edit wp-config.php: Utilizing FTP, you’ll locate the wp-config.php file, providing you with the means to implement the necessary modifications.Then open it in text editor.
    2. Add Memory Limit: Add the following code just before the line that says /* That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */:

      define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);
       
      This code increases the memory limit to 256 megabytes, but you can adjust it as needed.
    3. Save and Upload: Restore the file to your server and save it.
    4. Test Your Site: Check if your website is functioning correctly. If the critical error was due to memory exhaustion, increasing the memory limit should resolve the issue.

Step 4: Restoring Core Files

Sometimes, a critical error can be caused by corrupted WordPress core files or database tables. To resolve this, you may need to restore these essential components. It’s crucial to have a backup of your site before proceeding with this step to avoid data loss.

    1. Backup Your Site: Prioritize the protection of your website by creating a comprehensive backup, encompassing both your files and the database, if you haven’t already.
    2. Download a Fresh Copy of WordPress: Obtain the most recent version of WordPress directly from the official website and proceed with its installation.
    3. Replace Core Files: Using FTP or your hosting control panel, replace the corrupted core files in your WordPress installation with the fresh files you downloaded.
    4. Restore the Database: If your database tables have been compromised or are facing corruption issues, the remedy lies in restoring them from your previously saved backup. Utilizing a tool such as phpMyAdmin or an alternative database management application will be instrumental in this process.
    5. Test Your Site: After restoring core files and the database, check your website to ensure that the critical error is no longer present.

Avoiding Critical Errors in the Future

Prevention is always better than cure. To steer clear of encountering critical errors down the road, it’s essential to maintain the latest versions of your WordPress installation, themes, and plugins. Regularly updating these elements ensures the security and performance of your website and minimizes the risk of disruptive errors. Regularly backup your website and invest in reliable hosting. These proactive measures can significantly reduce the risk of critical errors.

Conclusion

In summary, while a critical error on your WordPress website may initially raise concern, it’s reassuring to know that with the appropriate expertise and a structured approach, you have the capability not only to resolve the issue promptly but also to establish safeguards to prevent its recurrence in the future. Remember to identify the issue, deactivate problematic plugins and themes, increase memory limits if needed, and restore core files if they are corrupted. With these steps, you can keep your website running smoothly and avoid critical errors.

Nonetheless, it’s worth emphasizing that WordPress is a multifaceted platform, and critical errors may occasionally prove to be tenacious or challenging to pinpoint.In such cases, it’s highly beneficial to have a trusted support service provider by your side. One such reliable service provider for WordPress errors is “WP Customer Service.”

WP Customer Service is a dedicated support service specializing in WordPress-related issues. Leveraging their proficiency and seasoned knowledge, they are well-equipped to aid you in swiftly and efficiently identifying, addressing, and rectifying critical errors. Whether it’s a persistent critical error or a complex technical issue, WP Customer Service is a valuable resource to ensure the smooth operation of your WordPress website. Feel free to contact them for expert support and a sense of assurance.