How to Fix the Wordpress White Screen of Death

The WordPress white screen of death (WSOD) can be frustrating, but it’s fixable. This guide walks you through step-by-step solutions to identify and resolve the issue, from disabling plugins to restoring backups. You’ll get your site back online fast with minimal downtime.

Key Takeaways

Enable debugging mode: Turn on WP_DEBUG in wp-config.php to reveal hidden error messages behind the white screen.
Disable all plugins: Use FTP or your hosting file manager to rename the plugins folder and rule out plugin conflicts.
Switch to a default theme: Revert to a WordPress default theme like Twenty Twenty-Four to check if your current theme is causing the issue.
Check for memory limits: Increase PHP memory limit in wp-config.php to prevent resource exhaustion.
Restore from backup: If all else fails, restore your site from a recent backup to return to a working state.
Review recent changes: Think about recent updates, new plugins, or code edits that may have triggered the WSOD.
Contact your host: Some server-side issues require hosting provider support—don’t hesitate to reach out.

How to Fix the WordPress White Screen of Death

You’re logged into your WordPress dashboard, ready to update a post—and suddenly, you’re met with a blank white screen. No error message. No admin bar. Just… nothing. Welcome to the infamous WordPress white screen of death (WSOD). It’s one of the most common—and confusing—issues WordPress users face.

But don’t panic. The WSOD is almost always fixable, and in this guide, we’ll walk you through step-by-step solutions to get your site back up and running. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned developer, these troubleshooting methods are safe, effective, and designed to minimize downtime.

By the end of this guide, you’ll know how to:

Enable error logging to see what’s really going on
Isolate the cause—whether it’s a plugin, theme, or server issue
Restore your site using backups or manual fixes

Let’s dive in.

Step 1: Enable WordPress Debugging Mode

The first thing you should do when facing a white screen is turn on debugging. By default, WordPress hides error messages for security, but that also makes troubleshooting harder. Enabling debug mode reveals the actual error causing the blank screen.

How to Enable WP_DEBUG

You’ll need to edit your wp-config.php file. This file is located in the root directory of your WordPress installation.

Access your site via FTP or your hosting provider’s file manager (like cPanel).
Navigate to the root folder (usually public_html or www).
Find and open wp-config.php in a text editor.
Look for this line:
define('WP_DEBUG', false);
Change it to:
define('WP_DEBUG', true);
Save the file and upload it back to your server.

Now, reload your site. If there’s an error, you should see a message like “Fatal error: Allowed memory size exhausted” or “Call to undefined function.” This clue will point you directly to the problem.

Tip: After fixing the issue, remember to set WP_DEBUG back to false for security.

Step 2: Disable All Plugins

Plugins are one of the most common causes of the white screen. A faulty plugin—especially after an update—can crash your site without warning.

Visual guide about How to Fix the WordPress White Screen of Death

Image source: nosegraze.com

How to Disable Plugins via FTP

Since you can’t access the WordPress admin, you’ll need to disable plugins manually.

Connect to your site via FTP or file manager.
Go to wp-content/plugins.
Rename the plugins folder to something like plugins_old.

This effectively disables all plugins at once. Now, reload your site. If the white screen is gone, you’ve confirmed a plugin is the culprit.

How to Identify the Problematic Plugin

To find the exact plugin causing the issue:

Rename the folder back to plugins.
Create a new folder called plugins_test.
Move half of the plugins into plugins_test.
Reload your site.
If it works, the problem is in the moved plugins. If not, the issue is in the remaining ones.
Repeat this process (binary search) until you isolate the bad plugin.

Once identified, delete or replace the problematic plugin. You can also check the plugin’s support forum or update it if a fix is available.

Step 3: Switch to a Default WordPress Theme

Sometimes, the issue lies with your active theme—especially after a theme update or customization. Switching to a default WordPress theme can help you confirm this.

Visual guide about How to Fix the WordPress White Screen of Death

Image source: techuz.com

How to Change Your Theme via FTP

Go to wp-content/themes.
Find your current theme folder (e.g., my-custom-theme).
Rename it to my-custom-theme-old.
WordPress will automatically fall back to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Four.

Reload your site. If it loads normally, your theme was the problem. You can then:

Reinstall a fresh copy of the theme
Check for missing files or corrupted code
Contact the theme developer for support

For more on managing themes safely, check out our guide on how to delete a theme in WordPress or how to update a theme on WordPress to avoid future issues.

Step 4: Increase PHP Memory Limit

WordPress may run out of memory during heavy operations, leading to a white screen. Increasing the PHP memory limit can resolve this.

How to Increase Memory Limit

Edit your wp-config.php file again and add this line above the /* That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */ comment:

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

This sets the memory limit to 256MB, which is sufficient for most sites. If your host allows it, you can go higher (e.g., 512M).

Note: Some hosts restrict memory limits. If the change doesn’t work, contact your hosting provider.

Step 5: Check for Corrupted Core Files

Sometimes, WordPress core files can become corrupted during updates or due to server issues. Replacing them can fix the WSOD.

How to Reinstall WordPress Core Files

Download the latest version of WordPress from wordpress.org/download.
Extract the ZIP file on your computer.
Upload all files except the wp-content folder and wp-config.php to your server via FTP.
Overwrite existing files when prompted.

This refreshes your core files without affecting your content, themes, or plugins.

Step 6: Restore from a Backup

If none of the above steps work, it’s time to restore your site from a backup. This should be your last resort, but it’s often the fastest way to recover.

How to Restore a Backup

Most hosting providers offer one-click restore options. Here’s how:

cPanel: Use the “Backup” or “JetBackup” tool to restore your site to a previous date.
Managed WordPress hosts: Use tools like SiteGround’s Site Tools or WP Engine’s backup restore feature.
Manual restore: If you have a full backup (files + database), upload them via FTP and phpMyAdmin.

Always test your site after restoring to ensure everything works correctly.

Troubleshooting Tips

Check your browser: Try a different browser or incognito mode to rule out caching issues.
Clear server cache: If you use a caching plugin or CDN (like Cloudflare), clear the cache.
Review recent changes: Did you install a new plugin, update a theme, or edit code? Revert those changes if possible.
Check server logs: Your hosting provider may have error logs that show PHP fatal errors or timeouts.

Conclusion

The WordPress white screen of death is scary—but rarely permanent. With the right approach, you can diagnose and fix the issue quickly. Start by enabling debugging, then systematically test plugins, themes, and server settings. Most WSOD cases are caused by a single plugin or theme conflict, so methodical troubleshooting is key.

Remember to keep regular backups and update plugins and themes carefully to prevent future issues. And if you’re ever stuck, don’t hesitate to contact your hosting provider—they often have tools and logs that can speed up recovery.

With this guide, you’re now equipped to handle the white screen like a pro. Your site will be back online in no time.