White Screen of Death” (WSOD)

One common complicated issue in WordPress is the “White Screen of Death” (WSOD). This issue occurs when you try to access your WordPress site, but all you see is a blank white screen, without any error messages. This can be caused by various factors, making it a bit tricky to diagnose and solve. Here’s a step-by-step solution to troubleshoot and resolve the White Screen of Death issue:

Troubleshooting Steps:

1. Enable Debugging:
   • Access your WordPress site’s files using FTP or a file manager provided by your hosting provider.
   • Look for the wp-config.php file and open it in a text editor.
   • Find the line that says define('WP_DEBUG', false); and change it to define('WP_DEBUG', true);.
   • Save the changes and upload the file back to your server.
2. Check for Errors:
   • Reload your WordPress site. You should now see error messages instead of a white screen. These messages will help you identify the cause of the issue.
3. Plugin Deactivation:
   • If you can access the WordPress admin dashboard, deactivate all plugins and check if the site is working.
   • If the site starts working, reactivate each plugin one by one until you find the one causing the issue.
4. Theme Switch:
   • Switch to a default WordPress theme (like Twenty Twenty-One). If the issue is resolved, your theme might be the culprit.
   • Update the theme or contact the theme developer for support.
5. Check Server Resources:
   • Insufficient server resources (memory or CPU) can cause the white screen issue.
   • Increase PHP memory limit by adding define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M'); to your wp-config.php file.
6. Check for Corrupted Files:
   • Reinstall WordPress core files by downloading the latest version from the official WordPress website and replacing the existing files (except wp-content).
7. Check for Syntax Errors:
   • Sometimes, a syntax error in one of your theme or plugin files can cause the white screen. Review recent changes and correct any syntax errors.
8. Database Issues:
   • Check the database for corruption or issues. Tools like phpMyAdmin can help you repair and optimize the database.
9. Server Logs:
   • Check server error logs for any clues. Your hosting provider should be able to assist you in accessing these logs.
10. Contact Hosting Support:
    • If you’ve tried all the above and the issue persists, contact your hosting provider’s support. They may be able to identify and resolve server-related issues.