If you’re a WordPress user, you’ve likely encountered the dreaded “White Screen of Death” (WSoD). This frustrating issue leaves your site looking like a blank page with no error message, and it can happen unexpectedly. Whether you’re managing a blog, an online store, or a business website, this issue is critical because it can bring your site to a halt, leading to loss of traffic, revenue, and credibility. The good news is that this error is usually fixable. In this article, we’ll walk you through the causes and solutions to the White Screen of Death in WordPress.


What is the White Screen of Death?

The White Screen of Death is exactly what it sounds like—a completely blank page in your browser when you try to visit your WordPress site. Unlike other errors that display messages, WSoD shows no text or indication of what went wrong, making it difficult to troubleshoot at first glance. It’s often caused by plugin conflicts, theme issues, or even server-side problems.


Why Does the White Screen of Death Happen?

The causes of WSoD can vary, but here are the most common:

  1. Plugin Conflicts – A conflict between plugins can lead to a blank screen. This often happens after an update to a plugin or WordPress core.
  2. Theme Issues – A poorly coded theme or a theme conflict with plugins may cause a site to crash.
  3. Exhausted PHP Memory Limit – If your WordPress site exceeds the PHP memory limit, it might lead to a crash.
  4. Corrupted Files – Corrupted WordPress core files or incomplete plugin/theme installations may result in a blank screen.
  5. Server Issues – Occasionally, server-side issues such as low resources, expired PHP versions, or misconfigured server settings can cause WSoD.
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How to Fix the White Screen of Death in WordPress

Here’s a step-by-step guide to fix the White Screen of Death.

  1. Deactivate All Plugins

    The most common cause of WSoD is a conflict between plugins. To troubleshoot this:

    • Log in to your website via FTP or use your hosting file manager.
    • Navigate to the wp-content folder.
    • Rename the plugins folder to something like plugins-old.
    • This will deactivate all plugins.
    • Refresh your website to see if the issue resolves.

    Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a reliable hosting service that ensures minimal plugin conflicts and excellent performance, consider Kinsta Managed WordPress Hosting or Pressable Managed WordPress Hosting. Both offer top-notch service for WordPress sites.


  1. Switch to a Default Theme

    If deactivating plugins doesn’t work, the issue may be with your theme. To check:

    • Log into your WordPress admin dashboard.
    • Go to Appearance > Themes.
    • Activate a default theme like Twenty Twenty-One or Twenty Twenty-Three.
    • Refresh your website.

    If the White Screen disappears after switching to a default theme, your active theme is likely causing the issue. Consider using well-coded, lightweight themes like GeneratePress or Astra, which are known for their fast performance and minimal conflicts.


  1. Increase PHP Memory Limit

    Sometimes the White Screen of Death is caused by an exhausted PHP memory limit. If your website is running out of memory, increasing the PHP limit can help. Here’s how:

    • Access your wp-config.php file.
    • Add the following line just above the “/* That’s all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */” line:
      define( 'WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M' );

    This increases the memory limit, which may fix the issue if it was related to low resources.


  1. Enable Debugging

    If the White Screen persists, enabling WordPress debugging can help you identify the root cause:

    • Access the wp-config.php file.
    • Add the following line to enable debugging: define('WP_DEBUG', true);
    • Once you refresh your site, any PHP errors or warnings should appear, helping you track down the issue.

  1. Reinstall WordPress

    If all else fails, it’s possible that your WordPress core files have been corrupted. You can reinstall WordPress to ensure all files are intact:

    • Go to your WordPress dashboard.
    • Navigate to Dashboard > Updates.
    • Click the Reinstall Now button.

    This will replace any corrupted or missing core files without affecting your content or settings.


How to Prevent WSoD from Happening Again

  1. Test New Plugins and Themes on a Staging Site
    Before installing a new plugin or theme, always test it on a staging site. This helps ensure compatibility with your existing setup and prevents conflicts from affecting your live site.
  2. Keep WordPress, Themes, and Plugins Updated
    Regularly updating WordPress, your themes, and plugins helps ensure they are compatible and reduces the risk of errors.
  3. Choose a Reliable Hosting Provider
    A solid hosting provider can significantly reduce the risk of issues like WSoD. Opt for high-quality WordPress hosting services such as Kinsta or Pressable, which are designed to offer robust security, fast performance, and reliable uptime.
  4. Increase Your PHP Memory Limit
    If you run a resource-heavy site with many plugins, consider increasing your PHP memory limit from the start. This simple tweak can help prevent site crashes.

Conclusion

The White Screen of Death is a common but fixable issue in WordPress. By following these simple steps—deactivating plugins, switching themes, increasing PHP memory, enabling debugging, and reinstalling WordPress—you can get your site back online quickly. Prevention is key, so make sure you use quality hosting, test plugins on staging sites, and keep everything updated to avoid future disruptions.


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