A Step-by-Step Guide to Bringing Your Website Back to Life
Photo: Mikhail Reshetnikov from Reshetnikov_art
Experiencing the white screen of death on your website can be a nerve-wracking ordeal, but don’t worry! Here are some tried-and-true steps on how to recover your site and get it back up and running smoothly. For those who are not tech-savvy, contact your host provider, such as HostGator or Blue Host, to handle the issue for you.
Check for Plugin or Theme Conflicts
Turn off all plugins and switch to a default theme (like Twenty Twenty-Four). If the issue is resolved, reactivate them one by one to pinpoint the culprit.
Increase Memory Limit
Sometimes, insufficient memory can cause this issue. Edit your wp-config.php file to increase the PHP memory limit:
define (‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);
Enable Debugging:
Turn on debugging to identify errors, then add the following lines to your wp-config.php file:
define (‘WP_DEBUG’, true);
define (‘WP_DEBUG_LOG’, true);
define (‘WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY’, false);
Check for Corrupted Files
Corrupted core files can cause a white screen—re-upload fresh versions of WordPress core files (excluding wp-content).
Review Server Logs
You can access your server’s error logs through cPanel or your hosting provider’s dashboard. Look for any errors that could indicate a problem.
Increase PHP Text Processing Capability
Sometimes, complex content can exhaust the PHP text processing capability. Increase it by adding or modifying the following line in your .htaccess file:
php_value max_input_vars 5000
Check File Permissions
Your file folders should be set to 755 and files to 644. Doing this will ensure that your files have the right permissions.
Reinstall WordPress
If all else fails, consider reinstalling WordPress. Using the built-in update function can do this without affecting your content.
These steps are to help you identify and resolve any issues that caused the white screen of death and bring your website back to life. Remember, with regular website backups, you can prevent data loss, and your recovery will be easier in the future.
Need for tips and advice? Check out The Jameela Adams Experience Podcast every Friday.
