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Fixing the WordPress White Screen of Death (WSOD)

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Fixing the WordPress White Screen of Death (WSOD): A Complete Troubleshooting Guide

The White Screen of Death (WSOD) is one of the most alarming issues WordPress users can face. One minute your site is live—and the next, it’s just a blank white screen. No error message. No clues. Just… nothing.

But don’t panic. This guide will help you identify the cause and fix the WSOD step by step, whether it’s happening on the frontend, admin area, or both.

What Is the WordPress White Screen of Death?

The White Screen of Death happens when a PHP error or misconfiguration prevents WordPress from loading content, but error reporting is turned off—so instead of an error message, you get a blank screen.

Common Causes of the WSOD

  • Plugin conflicts
  • Theme issues or broken updates
  • PHP memory exhaustion
  • Syntax errors in custom code
  • Corrupt core files or failed auto-updates

Step-by-Step Fixes for the White Screen of Death

1. Enable Debug Mode

Turn on WordPress debugging to see what’s really going on. Open your wp-config.php file and add or modify the following lines:

define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);

Then visit your site again. Check the error log in wp-content/debug.log for clues.

2. Increase PHP Memory Limit

Low memory is a common cause of WSOD. Try raising the limit in wp-config.php:

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

If that doesn’t work, edit your .htaccess file:

php_value memory_limit 256M

Or ask your host to increase it for you.

3. Deactivate All Plugins

If you can access wp-admin, go to Plugins > Installed Plugins and deactivate everything. If you can’t access the dashboard:

Via FTP or File Manager:

/wp-content/plugins

Rename the plugins folder to plugins-old. If the site loads, rename it back and activate plugins one by one to find the culprit.

4. Switch to a Default Theme

If your theme is broken or missing, WordPress may fail silently. Try switching to a default theme like twentytwentyfour.

To do it manually via database (if wp-admin is inaccessible):

  1. Log in to phpMyAdmin
  2. Go to your WordPress database
  3. Open the wp_options table
  4. Edit these two rows:
    • template → set value to twentytwentyfour
    • stylesheet → set value to twentytwentyfour

5. Check for Syntax Errors

If you recently edited a theme or plugin file, revert the change or look for missing brackets, semicolons, or PHP tags.

6. Restore from Backup

If none of the above works and you have a recent backup, restoring it might be the quickest path to recovery.

7. Reinstall WordPress Core Files

Corrupted core files from failed updates can trigger WSOD. Reinstall manually:

  • Download a fresh copy of WordPress from wordpress.org
  • Delete everything in your site’s root directory except wp-content and wp-config.php
  • Upload the new files

Bonus Tip: Use a Staging Site

If you’re making custom changes or updates, use a staging site first. Many managed hosts like SiteGround, WP Engine, and Kinsta offer one-click staging environments. This can prevent WSOD errors from ever appearing on your live site.

Final Thoughts

The WordPress White Screen of Death is frustrating, but it’s almost always fixable with the right approach. Whether it’s a plugin, theme, or server issue, start with debugging and work through the steps methodically.

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