Overview
While WordPress is a robust and user-friendly platform,users may occasionally encounter issues that disrupt their site's functionality.Understanding how to diagnose and resolve common problems can save time andprevent potential site downtime. This guide will cover troubleshooting stepsfor frequently encountered WordPress issues for sites hosted on HSJ.HOST.
Prerequisites
- A WordPress site hosted on HSJ.HOST.
- Administrative or FTP access to your WordPress site.
Procedure
1. The White Screen of Death (WSOD)
- Causes: PHP errors, exhausted memory limit, or problematic plugins/themes.
- Solution: Increase the PHP memory limit in the wp-config.php file by adding define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '64M');. Deactivate all plugins and switch to a default theme to identify the culprit.
2. Error Establishing Database Connection
- Causes: Incorrect database information in wp-config.php, corrupted database, or server issues.
- Solution: Check the database credentials in wp-config.php for accuracy. Repair the database using WordPress's built-in repair tool by adding define('WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true); to your wp-config.php file.
3. Lost Admin Access
- Causes: Hacked site, incorrect password resets, or user role changes.
- Solution: Use the password reset function. If that fails, update the admin password directly in the database via phpMyAdmin or create a new admin user using a MySQL query.
4. 404 Errors on Posts and Pages
- Causes: Permalink issues or .htaccess file problems.
- Solution: Go to Settings > Permalinks in the WordPress dashboard and simply click "Save Changes" to flush the permalink structure. If the issue persists, manually reset the .htaccess file by replacing it with the default WordPress .htaccess code.
5. Slow Site Performance
- Causes: Unoptimised images, poorly coded plugins/themes, or lack of caching.
- Solution: Optimise images for the web. Deactivate and test all plugins to find any that are slowing down your site. Install a caching plugin and consider using a Content Delivery Network (CDN).
6. Plugin or Theme Installation Failures
- Causes: WordPress version compatibility, file permission issues, or memory limit restrictions.
- Solution: Ensure compatibility with your WordPress version. Check file permissions for the wp-content folder. Increase the PHP memory limit as described in the WSOD section.
7. Email Delivery Issues
- Causes: WordPress's default PHP mail function is unreliable on some hosts.
- Solution: Use an SMTP plugin to configure WordPress to use a proper SMTP server for sending emails, improving reliability and deliverability.
8. Site Migration Problems
- Causes: Incorrectly configured URLs, missing files, or database import/export issues.
- Solution: Use a migration plugin like Duplicator or WP Migrate DB. Ensure all URLs are correctly updated using tools like Velvet Blues Update URLs or directly in the database.
Conclusion
Troubleshooting common WordPress issues involves asystematic approach to identifying and resolving the root causes. Byfamiliarising yourself with these solutions, you can quickly address problemsthat may arise, keeping your site running smoothly on HSJ.HOST. Remember,regular backups and maintenance are your best defence against potential issues.
