How to Fix the “Critical Error” on Your WordPress Website

Seeing a critical error message on your WordPress website can be very frustrating. This error usually happens due to conflicts in plugins, theme files, or PHP issues. If you’ve encountered the “There has been a critical error on this website” message, don’t worry! There are several steps you can take to resolve it and prevent it from happening in the future. Let’s dive into how you can fix this error and get your website back up and running.

What is the Critical Error in WordPress?

The “There has been a critical error on this website” message means that there’s a serious PHP error on your site. PHP is the coding language used by WordPress, and this error indicates that a PHP script has stopped running properly. This can happen due to problems with core files, plugins, themes, or even malware.

Why Does the Critical Error Happen?

There are several common reasons why this critical error might occur:

• Issues in Core Files: If your WordPress core files are corrupted or missing, you may encounter this error. This can happen if an update fails or if core files are tampered with.
• Broken Theme or Plugin Files: Sometimes, corrupted theme or plugin files can cause the error. Conflicts between plugins can also lead to issues.
• Syntax Errors: Mistakes in custom code can break PHP execution, leading to critical errors.
• Malware Infections: Malware can disrupt your website’s functions and cause critical errors.
• PHP Memory Limits: If the PHP memory limit is exceeded, it can result in critical errors.
• Outdated PHP Version: Using an outdated version of PHP can cause compatibility issues.

Steps to Fix the Critical Error Message

Here are the steps you can take to fix the critical error on your WordPress website:

1. Check Your Admin Email Inbox

Your admin email should have a message from WordPress with the subject “Your Site Is Experiencing a Technical Issue.” This email will provide details about the problem and often includes a link to access your website in recovery mode. Follow these steps:

1. Check your admin inbox for the email with “Technical Issue” in the subject line.
2. Verify the sender to ensure it’s not a phishing attempt.
3. Click the link for recovery mode in the email.
4. Log in with your credentials.
5. Navigate to your WordPress dashboard.

In recovery mode, you’ll see notifications about the critical error and what caused it. Deactivate the problematic component and try reinstalling or replacing it.

2. Enable Debugging in WordPress

WordPress has a debug tool called WP_DEBUG that helps identify the root causes of errors. To enable it:

1. Open your wp-config.php file.
2. Find the line that defines WP_DEBUG.
3. If it’s disabled, change it to: define('WP_DEBUG', true);
4. Add these lines:

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

This will create a debug.log file in the ./wp-content directory that you can check for errors.

3. Backup Your Website

Before making any changes to core files, backup your website. This will prevent data loss if something goes wrong. You can use tools like WP-CLI for this.

4. Check for Issues in Core Files

Look at the debug.log file for any PHP errors. If you find errors referencing core files, you may need to replace the corrupted files with fresh versions. You can manually update individual files or the entire /wp-includes/ or /wp-admin/ folders.

5. Check for Recently Modified Theme or Plugin Files

Conflicts between themes and plugins can cause critical errors. If you’ve recently updated or installed a new plugin or theme, try disabling them one by one to identify the source of the problem. If the admin panel isn’t loading:

1. Revert to a default theme from your database using phpMyAdmin.
2. Rename the wp-content/plugins folder to plugins-disabled to disable all plugins.

Check if your website works after these changes. If it does, reactivate the plugins one by one to find the culprit.

6. Increase the PHP Memory Limit

If your debug logs show “memory exhausted,” increase the PHP memory limit:

1. Open your wp-config.php file.
2. Add this line: define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '128M');

If the problem persists, try increasing it to 256MB. Be cautious not to set it too high to avoid other issues.

7. Update PHP to the Latest Version

If you’re using an older version of PHP, upgrading to version 7.4 or higher might resolve the error. Check your PHP version in your WordPress dashboard under Tools > Site Health > Info.

8. Scan for Malware

Malware can cause critical errors. Scan your website for malware both at the page level and server level. Tools like SiteCheck can help identify infections. If malware is found, clean it up using a guide or professional help.

By following these steps, you should be able to identify and fix the critical error on your WordPress website. If you’re unsure about any step or need help, consider reaching out to a professional for assistance.