Troubleshooting common WordPress errors

Common WordPress errors and fixes

White Screen of Death (WSOD)

A blank white page usually means a PHP error. To fix:

1. Enable WordPress debug mode: in wp-config.php add define('WP_DEBUG', true);
2. Check the error log in Plesk → Logs
3. Deactivate all plugins via FTP: rename the /wp-content/plugins folder
4. Switch to a default theme (Twenty Twenty-Four) via FTP if needed

500 Internal Server Error

1. Check Plesk error logs
2. Rename .htaccess to .htaccess_old and visit your site — if it loads, regenerate .htaccess from WordPress → Settings → Permalinks → Save
3. Increase PHP memory: add define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M'); to wp-config.php

Too many redirects / login loop

Usually caused by wrong URL settings. In wp-config.php add:

define('WP_HOME', 'https://yourdomain.com');
define('WP_SITEURL', 'https://yourdomain.com');

Error establishing database connection

1. Check your database credentials in wp-config.php
2. In Plesk → Databases, verify the database and user exist and the user has full privileges
3. Test the database connection from Plesk → Databases → Webadmin (phpMyAdmin)