The ‘There Has Been a Critical Error on Your Website’ message is a common WordPress error that occurs when there’s a PHP fatal error on your site. This guide will walk you through several methods to diagnose and fix this issue.
1. Enable WordPress Debug Mode
First, enable WordPress debug mode to get more information about the error:
1. Access your WordPress site files via FTP or file manager in your hosting control panel.
2. Locate and edit the `wp-config.php` file.
3. Find the line that says `define( ‘WP_DEBUG’, false );`
4. Change it to:
“`php
define( ‘WP_DEBUG’, true );
define( ‘WP_DEBUG_LOG’, true );
define( ‘WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY’, false );
“`
5. Save the file and refresh your website.
Now, check the `wp-content/debug.log` file for error messages that can help identify the problem.
2. Deactivate All Plugins
Plugins are a common cause of this error. To deactivate them:
1. Connect to your website via FTP.
2. Navigate to the `wp-content` folder.
3. Rename the `plugins` folder to `plugins_old`.
4. WordPress will automatically deactivate all plugins.
5. Check if your website loads correctly.
If the site works, reactivate plugins one by one to identify the problematic one.
3. Switch to a Default Theme
If the problem persists, your theme might be the culprit:
1. Via FTP, go to `wp-content/themes/`.
2. Rename your current theme’s folder.
3. WordPress will default to a standard theme.
4. Check if your site loads correctly.
4. Increase PHP Memory Limit
Sometimes, the error occurs due to insufficient PHP memory:
1. Edit your `wp-config.php` file.
2. Add this line before “That’s all, stop editing!”:
“`php
define( ‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’ );
“`
3. Save the file and refresh your site.
5. Check for Corrupt WordPress Core Files
If the issue persists, core WordPress files might be corrupted:
1. Download a fresh copy of WordPress from wordpress.org.
2. Extract the files.
3. Via FTP, upload and overwrite the `wp-admin` and `wp-includes` folders.
Do not overwrite your `wp-content` folder or `wp-config.php` file.
6. Review Server Logs
If you’re still encountering issues:
1. Access your server’s error logs through your hosting control panel.
2. Look for PHP fatal errors or other issues related to your WordPress installation.
7. Restore from a Backup
If all else fails, restore your site from a recent backup:
1. Access your backup files (from your hosting provider or a backup plugin).
2. Restore both your files and database to a point before the error occurred.
Prevention Tips
To prevent this error in the future:
1. Keep WordPress, themes, and plugins updated.
2. Use reputable plugins and themes.
3. Regularly back up your website.
4. Monitor your site’s performance and errors.
By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the “There Has Been a Critical Error on Your Website” error in WordPress. If the problem persists, consider seeking help from our tech support.
Read Also: How to Access Your WordPress Dashboard.