How to Fix the Critical Error in WordPress (Step by Step)

As a WordPress expert with over 15 years of experience, I’ve seen my fair share of “critical errors.” It’s a frustrating situation for any website owner, leaving you staring at a blank screen or an error message with no clear solution. But fear not! This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools to troubleshoot and fix these errors, getting your website back up and running in no time.

Let’s dive into the world of WordPress critical errors, unraveling the mysteries behind their occurrence and discovering the most effective strategies to overcome them.

What is the Critical Error in WordPress?

The “critical error” in WordPress signifies a major problem that prevents the platform from functioning correctly. It essentially halts the loading of essential scripts, hindering the display of your website’s content and functionality.

In the past, critical errors often resulted in a dreaded “white screen of death,” leaving you with a blank page and no indication of what went wrong. Fortunately, since WordPress 5.2, you’ll encounter a more user-friendly error message:

“There has been a critical error on this website. Please check your site admin email inbox for instructions.”

Along with this message, you’ll receive an email at your WordPress admin address, providing further insights into the error’s cause and potential solutions. These emails typically point to specific problematic plugins or themes, making it easier to pinpoint the source of the issue.

Sometimes, you might encounter a critical error without any instructions to check your email. This usually occurs when WordPress cannot load the necessary files to trigger recovery mode or send the email, often due to server-side issues.

What Causes the Critical Error in WordPress?

The root cause of WordPress critical errors can be attributed to various factors, but they often stem from issues within your website’s code or its interaction with server resources.

Here are some of the most common culprits:

• Malfunctioning Plugins: While most reputable WordPress plugins undergo rigorous testing, conflicts or errors within a plugin’s code can disrupt your website’s operation.
• Theme Errors: Similar to plugins, bugs or incompatible code within your WordPress theme can lead to critical errors.
• Custom Code Conflicts: If you’ve added custom code snippets to your website, these modifications can introduce errors if not properly implemented or tested.
• Server Issues: Insufficient server resources (like memory or PHP version) can strain your website’s performance and lead to critical errors.
• Corrupted Core Files: Malware or corrupted core files can compromise your website’s integrity and trigger errors.

Fixing the Critical Error in WordPress (2 Methods)

Now that we understand the root causes, let’s dive into the solutions! There are two primary methods to fix the critical error:

Fixing the Critical Error With WordPress Debugging Email

The most straightforward approach is to utilize the debugging email sent to your WordPress admin account. This email contains invaluable information that can guide you through the troubleshooting process.

Here’s how to leverage this email:

1. Check Your Email: Look for an email titled “Your Site is Experiencing a Technical Issue.” It will provide details about the error, including the likely culprit (plugin or theme).
2. Access Recovery Mode: The email will include a unique link to access your WordPress dashboard in recovery mode. This special mode allows you to diagnose and fix issues without compromising your live website.
3. Identify the Issue: Within recovery mode, WordPress will display a notification about the critical error, outlining the specific plugin or theme causing the problem. You’ll also see a link to the respective plugin or theme page in your dashboard.
4. Resolve the Issue: If the error is due to a plugin, you can deactivate it temporarily. You can then explore alternative plugins or seek assistance from the plugin developer. For theme-related issues, consider switching to a default theme or reinstalling a fresh copy of your current theme.
5. Exit Recovery Mode: Once you’ve addressed the issue, click on the “Exit Recovery Mode” button. Your WordPress website should now function normally.

Fixing the Critical Error in WordPress Manually (Without Email)

What if you didn’t receive the debugging email? Fear not! Here’s a comprehensive guide to manually troubleshoot the critical error:

1. Deactivate All Plugins: Plugin conflicts are a common culprit behind critical errors. Deactivating all plugins simultaneously can help isolate whether a plugin is the source of the problem. This requires access to your website’s files using FTP or your hosting control panel’s file manager.

   Here’s how to do it:

   1. Connect to your Website: Use an FTP client (like FileZilla) or your hosting control panel’s file manager to connect to your WordPress website.
   2. Navigate to the Plugins Folder: Locate the “wp-content” folder and then the “plugins” folder within it.
   3. Rename the Plugins Folder: Right-click on the “plugins” folder and choose the “Rename” option. Change the folder name to something like “plugins.deactivated.” This prevents WordPress from loading the plugins, effectively deactivating them.
   4. Visit Your Website: Refresh your website’s page. If the critical error disappears, you know a plugin was the culprit.
   5. Reactivate Plugins One by One: Rename the “plugins.deactivated” folder back to “plugins.” Then, go to your WordPress dashboard’s “Plugins” page and reactivate plugins one by one, testing your website after each reactivation to identify the problematic plugin.
2. Switch to a Default Theme: If your theme is causing the critical error, switching to a default theme can resolve the problem. Here’s the process:
   1. Download a Default Theme: Visit the WordPress.org theme directory and download a default theme (like Twenty Twenty-Two or Twenty Twenty-Three).
   2. Extract the Theme Files: Unzip the theme file on your computer. This will create a folder with the theme’s name.
   3. Connect to your Website: Use FTP or your hosting control panel’s file manager to access your website’s files.
   4. Navigate to the Themes Folder: Locate the “wp-content” folder and then the “themes” folder within it.
   5. Backup Your Existing Themes: Download all existing theme folders to your computer as a backup.
   6. Delete Existing Themes: Delete all theme folders from your website’s “themes” folder.
   7. Upload the Default Theme: Upload the extracted default theme folder to your website’s “themes” folder.
   8. Visit Your Website: Refresh your website’s page. If the error disappears, your theme was the issue.
   9. Switch Back to Your Theme: Once you’ve confirmed that your theme was the culprit, you can switch back to your original theme after troubleshooting the problem. If your theme is outdated, consider updating it or seeking assistance from the theme developer. If you’ve made custom code modifications to your theme, ensure that the code is correct and compatible with your WordPress version.
3. Reinstall WordPress: If you suspect that corrupted core files or malware are causing the critical error, reinstalling WordPress is the most effective solution.

   Here’s how to do it:

   1. Download a Fresh WordPress Copy: Visit WordPress.org and download the latest version of WordPress.
   2. Extract the Files: Unzip the downloaded WordPress file on your computer. It will create a folder named “wordpress” containing all the files for the reinstall.
   3. Connect to your Website: Use FTP or your hosting control panel’s file manager to access your website’s files.
   4. Navigate to the Root Folder: Locate the root folder of your website. This is the folder containing the “wp-admin,” “wp-content,” “wp-includes,” and “wp-admin” folders.
   5. Upload WordPress Files: Upload the files from the “wordpress” folder on your computer to your website’s root folder. Ensure that you overwrite existing files when prompted by your FTP client.
   6. Visit Your Website: Refresh your website’s page. If the error disappears, you’ve successfully reinstalled WordPress.
4. Turn On Debugging in WordPress: WordPress has a built-in debugging system that can help you identify errors and troubleshoot issues. Enable debug mode to gain more insights into the critical error:
   1. Edit the wp-config.php File: Use FTP or your hosting control panel’s file manager to access your website’s “wp-config.php” file.
   2. Enable Debug Mode: Find the line that reads:

   define( 'WP_DEBUG', false );

   3. Replace with Debug Code: Replace this line with the following code:

   define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );

   define( 'WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', true );

   define( 'WP_DEBUG_LOG', true );

   define( 'SCRIPT_DEBUG', true );

   4. Save and Upload: Save the changes to the “wp-config.php” file and upload it back to your website.
   5. View Debugging Information: Visit your website. The debug mode will display error messages and additional information that can help you pinpoint the cause of the critical error. Additionally, it will generate a “debug.log” file within the “wp-content” folder, containing a detailed log of errors.
5. Increase PHP Memory Limit: Insufficient server memory can sometimes trigger critical errors. Increasing the PHP memory limit allows your server to allocate more memory to WordPress:
   1. Edit the wp-config.php File: Use FTP or your hosting control panel’s file manager to access your website’s “wp-config.php” file.
   2. Add Memory Limit Code: Add the following line to the “wp-config.php” file:

   define( 'WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '512M' );

   3. Save and Upload: Save the changes to the “wp-config.php” file and upload it back to your website.
6. Upgrade Your PHP Version: WordPress requires a minimum PHP version of 7.4. If your server is running an older PHP version, it can lead to compatibility issues and errors.
   1. Check Your PHP Version: In your WordPress dashboard, navigate to “Tools” » “Site Health” and click the “Info” tab. Scroll down to the “Server” section and expand it. The displayed PHP version will reveal whether it meets the minimum requirements.
   2. Upgrade PHP (if necessary): If your PHP version is below 7.4, you’ll need to update it. Most hosting providers offer a simple way to upgrade PHP within your hosting control panel. Check with your hosting provider for instructions.
7. Hire WordPress Support: If you’ve exhausted all other options and are still unable to resolve the critical error, consider seeking assistance from a professional WordPress support service. This can save you valuable time and ensure that the problem is fixed correctly.
   

   How to Avoid the ‘Critical Error’ in the Future

   While critical errors can be frustrating, taking proactive measures can significantly minimize their occurrence and keep your website running smoothly.

   1. Always Have Automated Backups: Backups are your lifeline in the event of critical errors, ensuring that you can quickly restore your website to a previous working state. Implement a reliable backup solution like Duplicator, which provides automated backups and seamless restoration.
   2. Ensure WordPress Email Deliverability: Ensure that WordPress can send emails properly, as these emails often contain crucial information for troubleshooting errors. Utilize WP Mail SMTP to configure WordPress to send emails through a reliable SMTP server, guaranteeing email delivery and preventing missed notifications.
   3. Manage Custom Code Snippets Safely: Custom code modifications can introduce vulnerabilities. Utilize the WPCode plugin to manage custom code snippets safely. WPCode provides built-in checks that automatically disable code if it causes errors, preventing critical issues from arising.

   Conclusion

   The critical error in WordPress can be a daunting obstacle, but with the right knowledge and approach, it’s manageable. By understanding the causes and implementing the troubleshooting steps outlined above, you can effectively fix these errors and maintain a healthy and functional website.

   Remember, prevention is key. Implementing regular backups, ensuring email deliverability, and using a plugin like WPCode to manage custom code snippets can drastically reduce the likelihood of encountering critical errors in the future.

   FAQs

   What is the difference between a “critical error” and a “white screen of death” in WordPress?

   While both indicate major problems, the “white screen of death” was the traditional way WordPress displayed fatal errors. Since WordPress 5.2, the “critical error” message has become the standard, offering a more user-friendly approach with instructions for troubleshooting.

   Why am I not receiving the “critical error” email?

   If you’re not receiving the email, it’s likely that WordPress cannot send emails due to configuration issues. Check your email settings and ensure that you have a valid email address configured as your WordPress admin email. You can also troubleshoot email delivery using a plugin like WP Mail SMTP.

   What should I do if I can’t access my WordPress dashboard even in recovery mode?

   If you’re unable to access your dashboard even in recovery mode, the problem likely lies with your hosting environment. Contact your hosting provider for assistance with server-side issues.

   How do I know if my theme is causing the “critical error”?

   The debugging email will often pinpoint the theme if it’s the culprit. Alternatively, switching to a default theme and seeing if the error disappears will confirm that your theme is causing the problem.

   Is it safe to rename the “plugins” folder to deactivate all plugins?

   Yes, renaming the “plugins” folder is a safe and temporary solution to deactivate all plugins. It prevents WordPress from loading the plugins, effectively disabling them. Remember to rename the folder back to “plugins” after troubleshooting to reactivate your plugins.

   Can I reinstall WordPress without losing my website’s content?

   Reinstalling WordPress will overwrite your core files, but it should not affect your website’s content, including posts, pages, and media. Make sure you have a recent backup before proceeding with the reinstall.

   What is the “debug.log” file, and how do I use it?

   The “debug.log” file, generated when debugging mode is enabled, contains a detailed log of errors and warnings. Review this file to gain deeper insights into the critical error and identify potential causes.

   How do I determine the PHP version on my server?

   In your WordPress dashboard, navigate to “Tools” » “Site Health” and click the “Info” tab. Scroll down to the “Server” section, expand it, and the displayed PHP version will be shown.

   Can I increase the PHP memory limit without affecting my website’s performance?

   Increasing the PHP memory limit can help resolve memory-related errors but should be done cautiously. If you increase the limit too high, it might strain your server resources, leading to performance issues. Start with a reasonable increase (like 512M) and monitor your website’s performance.

   Should I always use a default theme when troubleshooting critical errors?

   Switching to a default theme is a useful step in isolating the issue. If you’re confident that your theme is not the culprit, you can skip this step. However, using a default theme can simplify troubleshooting and eliminate potential conflicts caused by your theme.

   If you’re interested in learning more about tech news, feel free to visit my website: www.naveedahmed.me.