15 most annoying things about wordpress and how to fix them

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15 Most Annoying Things about WordPress and How to Fix Them

As a seasoned WordPress expert with 15 years of experience, I’ve encountered my fair share of frustrating WordPress issues. But, just like in any craft, understanding the common pitfalls helps you navigate them efficiently. This guide is your roadmap to conquering those annoying WordPress hurdles.

WordPress, while powerful, can present some hurdles. These are not necessarily flaws but rather quirks that, when encountered, can seem like roadblocks. The good news is that most of these issues have straightforward solutions. This article will guide you through those solutions, making your WordPress journey smoother.

Here’s what we’ll be tackling:

Setting Up WordPress Backup
Deleting the Uncategorized Category
Changing Your Username
Adding More Formatting Options to the Content Editor
Getting White Screen of Death
Getting Locked Out of WordPress
Deactivating All WordPress Plugins without Admin Access
Fixing Common WordPress Errors
Setting up Automatic Updates for WordPress Plugins
Creating Better Image Galleries
WordPress Plugins Can Conflict with Each Other
Customizing WordPress Excerpts
Showing Excerpts in RSS Feeds
Dealing with Comment Spam
Improving WordPress Search

Let’s dive in!

Setting Up WordPress Backup

A cornerstone of any WordPress website is having a solid backup strategy. WordPress doesn’t come with a built-in backup system. This means you need to take proactive steps to protect your data. It’s like having a fire extinguisher for your website. Regular backups ensure you can easily restore your site in case of accidents, security breaches, or even accidental deletions.

Why Backups are Crucial

Data Loss Prevention: Accidents happen. A wrong click, a plugin malfunction, or even a server error can lead to data loss. Backups are your safety net.
Security Breaches: Hackers are constantly looking for vulnerabilities. Having regular backups enables you to restore your website to a clean state if it gets compromised.
Testing and Updates: When making changes to your website, like updating themes or plugins, a backup lets you revert to the previous version if something goes wrong.
Peace of Mind: Knowing that you have a backup in place provides immense peace of mind. You can work on your website without the constant worry of data loss.

How to Set Up Backups

There are several ways to create backups for your WordPress website:

Backup Plugins: These plugins are the easiest and most popular method. Some popular options include:

Duplicator: Creates a complete backup of your website, including files, databases, folders, and more. You can schedule backups for automated peace of mind.
UpdraftPlus: Another excellent backup plugin with both free and premium versions. It offers flexible backup options and integrates with cloud storage services.
BackWPup: A feature-rich backup plugin that provides a wide array of backup options, including remote storage.

cPanel: If your hosting provider offers cPanel, you can often find a built-in backup tool. This can be a convenient option, but it might not offer the same level of flexibility as plugins.
Manual Backups: This involves manually downloading your website files and database using an FTP client and a database management tool (like phpMyAdmin). While effective, it’s more time-consuming and requires technical knowledge.

It’s recommended to use a backup plugin for maximum ease and flexibility. Ensure your backups are stored in a secure location, ideally off-site (like cloud storage). Don’t rely solely on your hosting provider for backups, as they may not always be reliable.

Deleting the Uncategorized Category

By default, WordPress creates a category called “Uncategorized.” When you create a new post and forget to assign it to a category, it automatically falls into this category. While harmless, it can make your website look unorganized and unprofessional.

Why You Should Delete “Uncategorized”

Improves Website Organization: Creating categories for your content helps users find information more easily. “Uncategorized” disrupts this flow.
Better User Experience: Users expect websites to be structured and well-organized. “Uncategorized” posts can be confusing.
Professional Look: A website with no categories can look unprofessional, especially for businesses.
SEO Benefits: Categories help search engines understand your content, leading to better ranking potential.

How to Delete “Uncategorized”

You can either rename or delete the “Uncategorized” category:

Rename the Category:

Go to Posts > Categories in your WordPress dashboard.
Click the “Edit” link under the “Uncategorized” category.
Change the “Name” to your desired category name.
Click the “Update” button.

Change the Default Category:

Go to Settings > Writing in your WordPress dashboard.
In the “Default Post Category” dropdown, select a different category you want to use as the default.
Click the “Save Changes” button.

Delete the Category:

Go to Posts > Categories in your WordPress dashboard.
Click the “Edit” link under the “Uncategorized” category.
Scroll down to the “Delete” option.
Click the “Delete” button.
Important: If you have posts in the “Uncategorized” category, you will need to manually assign them to a different category before deleting it.

Deleting the “Uncategorized” category helps streamline your website’s organization and improve the user experience.

Changing Your Username

During the WordPress installation process, you choose a username for your admin account. It’s frustrating that WordPress doesn’t offer an easy way to change this username later. This can be a problem if you want to update your username for security reasons or to improve the look of your user profile.

Why Changing Your Username is Important

Security: Using a generic or easily guessable username makes your account vulnerable to hackers. Changing to a strong username improves security.
Professional Branding: A user-friendly username that aligns with your brand name can create a more professional image.
Improved User Experience: A clear username makes navigating the WordPress dashboard more intuitive.

How to Change Your Username

There are three ways to change your username:

Deleting the User:

This method involves deleting your current user and creating a new user with the desired username. However, it can be risky as it could lead to data loss if you don’t have backups.
Important: Before deleting your user, ensure you have a complete website backup. It’s also a good idea to check if you have any custom plugin settings that might be tied to your current username and need to be updated.

Using a Plugin:

Plugins like “Advanced Users” and “Change Username” allow you to change your username without deleting the user. These plugins are often easier to use than manual methods.

Manual Editing:

This involves directly editing the WordPress database. It requires technical expertise and caution. Make sure you have a complete backup before making any changes to the database.
Important: If you are not comfortable with database editing, it’s best to use a plugin or contact a WordPress developer for assistance.

It’s best to use a plugin for changing your username. If you choose to manually edit the database, ensure you understand the risks and proceed with caution.

Adding More Formatting Options to the Content Editor

The WordPress content editor (formerly known as the “TinyMCE editor” and now known as the “Block Editor” or “Gutenberg”) has come a long way. However, there might be times when you need additional formatting options beyond what the default editor offers. You might want to use a specific font, add a unique style, or insert a custom element. This is where plugins come in.

Why You Need More Formatting Options

Creative Control: The ability to customize the appearance of your content gives you more creative control and lets you bring your vision to life.
Brand Consistency: Using specific fonts, colors, and styles helps maintain brand consistency across your website.
Enhanced User Experience: Visually appealing and well-formatted content is more engaging for users.
Accessibility: Certain formatting options, like headings and lists, improve content accessibility for screen readers.

How to Add More Formatting Options

Here are some popular plugins that offer enhanced formatting options:

TinyMCE Advanced: This plugin adds a wide range of formatting controls to the WordPress editor, including custom styles, font options, and more.
Advanced Editor Toolbar: Adds more buttons to the editor toolbar, giving you easier access to various formatting options.
WPCode: While primarily a code editor, WPCode also provides advanced formatting features like adding custom CSS and shortcodes.
Elementor: A popular page builder that gives you complete creative control over your website design, including custom formatting options.

Experiment with these plugins to find the ones that best suit your needs. Adding more formatting options lets you craft visually engaging and brand-consistent content.

Getting White Screen of Death

The “White Screen of Death” (WSOD) is one of the most dreaded WordPress errors. It’s frustrating because you’re suddenly locked out of your WordPress dashboard, and you have no idea what’s going on. This usually occurs due to a plugin or theme conflict, a memory limit issue, or a database error.

Why the White Screen Happens

Plugin or Theme Conflicts: Incompatible plugins or themes can cause conflicts, leading to the WSOD.
Memory Limit Exceeded: A script on your website might be using more memory than allowed. This can happen with resource-intensive plugins or themes.
Database Errors: Issues with your website’s database can also trigger the WSOD. This could be due to corrupt tables or server-side problems.

How to Fix the White Screen of Death

Here’s a step-by-step guide to resolving the WSOD:

Check for Updates: First, ensure that your WordPress core, themes, and plugins are up to date. Outdated versions can cause conflicts and errors.
Disable Plugins: This is a common troubleshooting step. Go to your website’s /wp-content/plugins folder using FTP. Deactivate all plugins by renaming the plugin folders (e.g., add “deactivated” to the folder name). This will effectively disable all plugins.
Switch Themes: Try switching to a default WordPress theme like “Twenty Twenty-Three.” This can help isolate whether the issue is with your current theme.
Increase Memory Limit: Go to your website’s wp-config.php file (using FTP). Add the following line:

define( 'WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M' );

Check Database Errors: If the issue persists, you may have a database error. Contact your hosting provider for assistance. They can check for database issues and provide solutions.

The WSOD can be frustrating, but these steps will help you diagnose and resolve the issue. Remember, always have backups so you can restore your website if you accidentally make changes that cause further problems.

Getting Locked Out of WordPress

It’s possible to lock yourself out of your WordPress dashboard. This can happen if you forget your password, if a plugin or theme causes an issue, or if you have a corrupted database. It’s like having a locked door to your website, and you can’t get in.

Why You Might Get Locked Out

Forgotten Password: It’s easy to forget your password, especially if you don’t use it often.
Plugin or Theme Errors: Certain plugins or themes can interfere with the login process, preventing you from accessing your dashboard.
Database Errors: If your website’s database is corrupted, you might not be able to log in.
Hacking: Hackers can sometimes change your login credentials, locking you out of your website.

How to Get Back In

Here are some solutions to getting back into your WordPress dashboard:

Password Reset: If you forgot your password, you can use the “Lost Password” feature on the WordPress login page. Enter your username or email address, and WordPress will send you a password reset link.
Disable Plugins: Use FTP to access your website’s /wp-content/plugins folder. Deactivate all plugins by renaming the plugin folders. This might resolve the issue if a plugin is interfering with the login process.
Switch Themes: If a theme is causing problems, try switching to a default theme (e.g., Twenty Twenty-Three). This can help isolate the issue.
Database Repair: If you suspect database errors, contact your hosting provider for assistance. They can check for database corruption and try to repair it.
Change Your Login Credentials: If you think your account might be compromised, you can change your password and username. This will help prevent unauthorized access.

It’s crucial to keep your WordPress login credentials secure and to have a backup plan in place. If you’re unable to regain access, contact your hosting provider or a WordPress developer for assistance.

Deactivating All WordPress Plugins without Admin Access

Sometimes, troubleshooting a WordPress issue requires disabling all plugins. However, what if you can’t access your WordPress dashboard? You need to deactivate plugins manually using an FTP client or a database management tool.

Why You Might Need to Disable Plugins Manually

Troubleshooting: Disabling all plugins can help isolate whether a plugin is causing a problem.
Security Issues: If your website is hacked, disabling all plugins can prevent malicious scripts from running.
Website Performance: Too many plugins can slow down your website. Disabling unnecessary plugins can improve performance.

How to Disable Plugins Manually

Here are two methods:

Using FTP:

Connect to your website using an FTP client like FileZilla.
Navigate to the /wp-content/plugins folder.
Rename each plugin folder by adding “deactivated” to the folder name (e.g., “wp-super-cache” becomes “wp-super-cache-deactivated”).
This will effectively deactivate all plugins. You can then re-enable plugins one by one to see if a particular plugin is causing the issue.

Using phpMyAdmin:

Log in to your cPanel and access the “phpMyAdmin” tool.
Select your WordPress database.
Go to the “wp_options” table.
Search for the “active_plugins” option.
Click the “Edit” button.
Delete the contents of the “option_value” field. This will deactivate all plugins.

It’s essential to back up your database before using phpMyAdmin. If you’re not comfortable with manual database editing, use the FTP method. Once you have deactivated all plugins, you can then re-enable them one by one to see if any are causing conflicts.

Fixing Common WordPress Errors

WordPress can throw various errors, from syntax errors to 404 errors. These can be frustrating, especially for beginners who might not know where to start. This section will cover some of the most common WordPress errors and provide solutions.

Common WordPress Errors and How to Fix Them

Syntax Error: This usually occurs due to a coding mistake in a plugin, theme, or custom code. Check your code for errors, and if you find any, correct them. If the error is in a plugin or theme, contact the developer for assistance.
404 Error (Not Found): This means the page you’re trying to access doesn’t exist. Check if the page URL is correct, if the page has been deleted, or if there are any broken links.
500 Error (Internal Server Error): This indicates an issue with the server. Contact your hosting provider for assistance. They can check for server configuration errors or other problems.
Image Upload Error: This could be due to incorrect file permissions, insufficient disk space, or a problem with the server. Check your file permissions, ensure you have enough disk space, and contact your hosting provider if the issue persists.
White Screen of Death (WSOD): As discussed earlier, this can be caused by plugin conflicts, memory limit issues, or database errors. Follow the troubleshooting steps in the “Getting White Screen of Death” section.

These are just a few of the common WordPress errors you might encounter. Always check the WordPress support forums or Google for solutions if you encounter a specific error. There are plenty of resources available to help you troubleshoot and fix errors.

Setting up Automatic Updates for WordPress Plugins

Keeping your WordPress plugins updated is essential for security and performance. However, constantly checking for updates can be tedious. Thankfully, WordPress allows you to set up automatic updates for your plugins. This means you can focus on other aspects of your website while your plugins are kept up-to-date automatically.

Why Automatic Updates are Important

Security: Updates often include security patches that fix vulnerabilities and protect your website from attacks.
Performance: Updates can sometimes include performance optimizations that make your website faster and more efficient.
Compatibility: Updates ensure compatibility with the latest WordPress version, reducing the risk of conflicts or errors.
Convenience: Automatic updates save you time and effort, freeing you from constantly checking for new updates.

How to Set Up Automatic Updates

Here’s how to enable automatic updates for your WordPress plugins:

Go to Plugins: In your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
Enable Auto-Updates: Under the “Plugin Actions” column, you’ll see an “Enable Auto-updates” option. Click it to enable automatic updates for that plugin.
Important: It’s generally safe to enable automatic updates for critical plugins that are frequently updated and have a proven track record. For less frequently updated plugins or those with complex functionality, you might want to manually check for updates to ensure compatibility and avoid potential issues.

Automatic updates make managing your plugins easier and safer. Ensure you have a recent backup before enabling automatic updates. This way, you can always revert to a previous version if an update causes any problems.

Creating Better Image Galleries

WordPress’s default image gallery feature is basic. It’s great for simple galleries, but it lacks features like albums, tagging, lightboxes, and more. For visually appealing and interactive galleries, you’ll need to use a dedicated image gallery plugin.

Why You Need a Better Image Gallery

Enhanced Visual Appeal: Dedicated image gallery plugins offer a wide range of designs and styles to create visually stunning galleries.
Interactive Elements: Features like lightboxes, zoom options, and slideshows make your galleries more engaging for users.
Album Creation: Organize your images into albums or categories for easy browsing and navigation.
Improved User Experience: Well-designed galleries improve user experience, making your website more enjoyable to explore.
SEO Benefits: Some plugins offer SEO-friendly image galleries, helping search engines understand your images better.

How to Create Better Image Galleries

Here are some highly recommended image gallery plugins:

Envira Gallery: A powerful and user-friendly image gallery plugin that offers a wide range of features, including albums, tagging, lightboxes, and even selling photos.
NextGEN Gallery: Another popular image gallery plugin known for its extensive features and customization options.
Photo Gallery by WebToffee: A lightweight and easy-to-use plugin that allows you to create responsive galleries and slideshows.
FooGallery: Offers a wide range of gallery styles, customization options, and integrations with other plugins.
WP-Photo Album Plus: A comprehensive image gallery plugin that provides features like albums, slideshows, lightboxes, and more.

Choose the plugin that best fits your needs and website design. Creating beautiful and interactive galleries is a great way to enhance the visual appeal of your website and improve the user experience.

WordPress Plugins Can Conflict with Each Other

While plugins are fantastic for adding functionality to your WordPress website, they can sometimes cause conflicts with each other. This can result in unpredictable behavior, broken features, or even a complete website crash. Managing plugins is crucial for a smooth WordPress experience.

Why Plugin Conflicts Happen

Incompatible Code: Different plugins can use conflicting code, causing them to clash and interfere with each other’s functionality.
Resource Competition: Plugins can compete for resources like memory, CPU power, or database connections. If one plugin demands more resources than available, it can affect the performance of other plugins.
Outdated Plugins: Outdated plugins are more prone to conflicts, as they may not be compatible with the latest WordPress version or other plugins.
Too Many Plugins: Having too many plugins installed can increase the likelihood of conflicts. It’s best to keep your plugin count manageable.

How to Prevent and Resolve Plugin Conflicts

Here are some tips to prevent and resolve plugin conflicts:

Use Reputable Plugins: Choose plugins from reputable developers who provide regular updates and support. This reduces the risk of incompatibility or security vulnerabilities.
Check Plugin Compatibility: Before installing a new plugin, check its compatibility with your current WordPress version and other plugins. Look for reviews and feedback from other users.
Disable Unused Plugins: Deactivate and delete any plugins that are not in use. This reduces the number of plugins running on your website and minimizes the chance of conflicts.
Test Changes: Whenever you install a new plugin, update an existing plugin, or make any changes to your website, test your website thoroughly to ensure everything is working as expected.
Use a Plugin Conflict Resolver: Plugins like “Conflict Detection & Resolution” can help identify and resolve plugin conflicts. They analyze your website for potential conflicts and suggest solutions.

By following these tips, you can minimize the risk of plugin conflicts and ensure your website runs smoothly. Always have a backup of your website before making any changes, so you can revert if necessary.

Customizing WordPress Excerpts

By default, WordPress displays the full content of your blog posts on your homepage, archive pages, and category pages. This can lead to duplicate content and make it difficult for users to navigate your website. Customizing excerpts to show just a snippet of your content is a much better approach.

Why Excerpts are Important

Avoid Duplicate Content: Displaying full posts on multiple pages can harm your website’s SEO and lead to penalties from search engines.
Improved User Experience: Excerpts provide a clear overview of the content on each page, making it easier for users to find what they’re looking for.
Increased Engagement: Excerpts encourage users to click through to read the full posts, increasing engagement and pageviews.
More Visually Appealing: Excerpts can help you create a more visually appealing homepage and archive pages, making your website more inviting.

How to Customize Excerpts

Here are two ways to customize your excerpts:

Using the “Excerpt” Field:

When creating or editing a post, you’ll find an “Excerpt” field below the post content.
Write a brief summary of your post in this field. WordPress will use this excerpt on your homepage and other pages instead of the full post content.

Using the “Read More” Tag:

If you don’t want to manually write excerpts, you can use the “Read More” tag to control where WordPress cuts off the post content on your homepage and other pages.
Place the “Read More” tag where you want the excerpt to end. This will automatically create an excerpt from the text before the tag.
To add a “Read More” tag, click the “+” button in the Gutenberg editor and select “Read More.”

Customizing excerpts helps you improve your website’s SEO, user experience, and overall engagement. Experiment with different excerpt lengths and styles to find what works best for your website.

Showing Excerpts in RSS Feeds

By default, WordPress includes your full posts in your RSS feeds. This means users reading your blog posts in feed readers won’t have any reason to visit your website. You can change this setting to only show excerpts in your RSS feeds.

Why Excerpts in RSS Feeds are Better

Encourage Website Visits: Showing excerpts in RSS feeds encourages users to visit your website to read the full posts, driving traffic to your site.
Improve User Experience: For users who prefer to read blog posts in feed readers, excerpts provide a quicker and more efficient way to scan and choose what to read.
Reduced Bandwidth Consumption: Showing excerpts in RSS feeds reduces the amount of data that needs to be downloaded, saving bandwidth and improving loading times.

How to Show Excerpts in RSS Feeds

Here’s how to change the RSS feed setting:

Go to Settings: In your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Settings > Reading.
Change the Feed Option: Scroll down to the “For each article in a feed, include” option. Select “Excerpt” from the dropdown menu.
Save Changes: Click the “Save Changes” button to save your settings.

By showing excerpts in your RSS feeds, you can encourage users to visit your website, improve the user experience, and reduce bandwidth consumption.

Dealing with Comment Spam

Comment spam is one of the most annoying aspects of the internet. Spam comments can clog your comment sections, making it difficult for genuine users to find valuable discussions. WordPress has built-in comment moderation features, but it’s best to use a spam filtering plugin to reduce spam significantly.

Why Comment Spam is a Problem

Clutters Comment Sections: Spam comments make it hard to find real conversations and can make your comment sections look unorganized and unprofessional.
Harms User Experience: Spam comments detract from the user experience and can deter users from commenting on your website.
Security Risks: Some spam comments may contain malicious links or scripts that could harm your website.
SEO Impact: Excessive spam comments can negatively impact your website’s SEO by creating low-quality content.

How to Prevent and Filter Comment Spam

Here are some strategies to combat comment spam:

Use Akismet: Akismet is a popular spam filtering plugin. It analyzes comments and flags suspicious ones as spam. It’s integrated with WordPress and is highly effective in reducing spam.
Enable Comment Moderation: WordPress’s built-in comment moderation features allow you to review and approve comments before they are published. This can help catch spam that Akismet might miss.
Use Captcha: Captcha (Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart) is a security measure that requires users to solve a simple puzzle to prove they are human. This helps prevent bots from posting spam comments.
Limit Commenting: Consider limiting commenting to registered users or requiring users to provide an email address. This can deter spammers who don’t want to use real information.
Regularly Review Comments: Even with spam filtering plugins, it’s essential to regularly review comments to catch any spam that might slip through.

By implementing these strategies, you can effectively reduce comment spam and create a more welcoming and engaging environment for genuine users. Remember, it’s crucial to have a balance between security and user experience. Use spam filtering tools to protect your website while ensuring that legitimate users can easily interact with your content.

Improving WordPress Search

WordPress has a built-in search feature, but it’s not very efficient or robust. If you have a large website with a lot of content, the default search won’t be able to provide accurate results. To enhance your website’s search functionality, consider using a dedicated WordPress search plugin.

Why You Need Better Search

More Accurate Results: Dedicated search plugins offer advanced search algorithms that can provide more relevant and accurate search results, improving the user experience.
Faster Search Speeds: Search plugins can improve search speeds, especially on websites with a lot of content. This makes your website feel more responsive and enjoyable for users.
Customizable Search Options: You can customize your search settings to include specific content types, taxonomies, custom fields, and more. This allows you to fine-tune your search to meet your specific website needs.
Improved SEO: A well-configured search plugin can enhance your website’s SEO by making it easier for search engines to crawl and index your content.

How to Improve WordPress Search

Here are some highly recommended WordPress search plugins:

SearchWP: One of the

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