A critical error on a WordPress website can be caused by various issues such as plugin or theme conflicts, corrupted files, or server configuration problems. Here are the steps to diagnose and resolve a critical error:
WordPress has a built-in feature to detect fatal PHP errors and notify the site admin via email. This notification typically includes details about the error and can help in diagnosing the issue. Here’s a detailed approach to resolving a fatal PHP error based on this information:
Step 1
1. Check Admin Email Notification
Locate the email sent by WordPress to the admin address. This email often contains specifics about which plugin or theme is causing the issue.
The email subject usually looks like: “Your Site is Experiencing a Technical Issue”.
2. Review the Error Details
The email will provide details such as the file and line number where the error occurred, as well as a stack trace.
Use this information to identify the problematic plugin or theme.
3. Access Your Site in Recovery Mode
The email should contain a special link to access your WordPress site in recovery mode. This mode allows you to log in to the admin dashboard even if the site is experiencing a critical error.
Click on the link provided in the email to enter recovery mode.
4. Deactivate the Problematic Plugin or Theme
You need to manually disable each plugin or Theme first by changing its name. You can put “-disabled” after the Plugin’s current name to disable them. You can do this in your File menu of cPanel. Then refresh your website with ctrl + F5. Your site is visible again but not yet as you would like it to be. That’s because the required plugins are disabled.
Then enable each Plugin one by one and refresh your website each time you have enabled a Plugin. You do this by removing “-disabled.” This way you can detect which plugin is causing the problem. Once you have found the Plugin or Theme causing the problem, uninstall it and then reinstall it from a backup. Here’s where making regular backups comes in handy.
You can also switch the Plugins or theme of when you have access to your Admin controle of WordPress.
Once logged in via recovery mode, navigate to the Plugins or Themes section of the WordPress dashboard.
Deactivate the plugin or switch the theme mentioned in the email.
Then, folow the steps above.
5. Further Troubleshooting
After deactivating the problematic component, you can perform additional steps to resolve the issue:
A. Debugging
Follow the earlier step to enable debugging in wp-config.php to gather more details if needed.
B. Update the Plugin or Theme
If the problematic plugin or theme has an update available, update it to the latest version. This might fix compatibility issues.
C. Check for Compatibility
Ensure that the plugin or theme is compatible with your current version of WordPress and PHP.
D. Reinstall the Plugin or Theme
Sometimes, reinstalling the plugin or theme can resolve corrupted files issues.
6. Contact Developer Support
If deactivating the plugin or theme resolves the issue but you still need it active, consider reaching out to the plugin or theme developer for support.
Provide them with the error details from the email for faster assistance.
7. Restore from Backup
If you have recent backups of your site, you may consider restoring from a backup before the error occurred.
Summary Steps:
Check the admin email for error details and recovery mode link.
Access recovery mode using the link provided.
Deactivate the problematic plugin or theme via the WordPress dashboard.
Enable debugging if more information is needed.
Update or reinstall the plugin or theme.
Check compatibility with your WordPress and PHP versions.
Contact developer support if necessary.
Consider restoring from a backup if the issue persists.
Or you can also try Step 2
1. Enable Debugging Mode
Enable WordPress debugging to get more information about the error.
Add the following lines to your wp-config.php file, just before the line that says /* That's all, stop editing! Happy publishing.*/:
This will create a debug log file (debug.log) in the wp-content directory.
2. Check the Debug Log
Access the wp-content/debug.log file via FTP or your hosting file manager to view the error messages and stack traces.
3. Disable All Plugins
Access your site via FTP or your hosting file manager.
Navigate to the wp-content directory and rename the plugins folder to something like plugins_old. This will deactivate all plugins.
4. Switch to a Default Theme
Similarly, navigate to the wp-content/themes directory.
Rename your active theme folder to something else. WordPress will automatically revert to a default theme like twentytwentyone if it is installed.
5. Check File Permissions
Ensure that WordPress has the correct permissions to read and write files. The typical recommended permissions are:
Files: 644
Directories: 755
6. Increase PHP Memory Limit
Edit your wp-config.php file and add or modify the following line to increase the PHP memory limit:
7. Re-upload Core Files
Download a fresh copy of WordPress from wordpress.org.
Extract the files and upload the wp-admin and wp-includes directories to your server, overwriting the existing files. Be careful not to overwrite the wp-content directory or the wp-config.php file.
8. Update PHP Version
Ensure that your hosting server is running a compatible version of PHP. WordPress recommends using PHP 7.4 or higher.
9. Check .htaccess File
If you have access to the .htaccess file, try renaming it to .htaccess_old to see if the issue is related to configuration rules. WordPress will generate a new .htaccess file if necessary.
10. Contact Hosting Support
If none of the above steps resolve the issue, contact your hosting provider’s support team. They can help diagnose server-level issues or review server logs for more clues.
Summary of Actions
Enable debugging in wp-config.php.
Check the debug log for errors.
Disable all plugins by renaming the plugins folder.
Switch to a default theme by renaming your current theme folder.
Verify file permissions (644 for files, 755 for directories).
Increase the PHP memory limit in wp-config.php.
Re-upload WordPress core files (wp-admin and wp-includes).
Ensure PHP version compatibility.
Check the .htaccess file for issues.
Contact hosting support if the problem persists.
These steps should help you identify and resolve the critical error on your WordPress site.
Managing a dedicated server involves tasks such as initial setup, ongoing maintenance, security measures, and monitoring to ensure optimal performance and security. Here’s a guide on how to manage a dedicated server:
Initial Setup:
Provision the server: Purchase or lease a dedicated server from a hosting provider or data center.
Choose an operating system: Select the operating system (OS) that best suits your needs, such as Linux (e.g., Ubuntu, CentOS) or Windows Server.
Configure network settings: Set up networking configurations, including IP addresses, DNS settings, and firewall rules.
Remote Access:
Use remote administration tools: Access the server remotely using tools like SSH (for Linux) or Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) (for Windows).
Secure remote access: Ensure secure remote access by using strong authentication methods like SSH keys or VPN connections.
Security Measures:
Install security updates: Regularly apply OS updates and patches to address security vulnerabilities.
Configure firewall: Set up a firewall to control incoming and outgoing traffic, and only allow necessary ports and services.
Implement security software: Install antivirus, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and other security tools to protect against malware and unauthorized access.
Harden server configurations: Follow security best practices to configure the server securely, such as disabling unnecessary services, limiting user permissions, and using encryption where appropriate.
Monitoring and Performance Optimization:
Monitor server health: Use monitoring tools to track server resource usage (CPU, memory, disk, network) and detect performance issues or anomalies.
Optimize performance: Configure server settings and applications to maximize performance, such as adjusting resource allocation, optimizing database settings, and caching frequently accessed data.
Implement backups: Regularly back up critical data and configurations to prevent data loss in case of hardware failures, accidental deletions, or security breaches.
Regular Maintenance:
Perform routine maintenance tasks: Schedule regular maintenance activities, such as disk defragmentation (for Windows), disk cleanup, log rotation, and database optimization.
Monitor logs: Review server logs for errors, warnings, and security-related events, and take appropriate actions to address any issues identified.
Update software: Keep server software up to date by installing patches, updates, and new releases to address bugs, security vulnerabilities, and performance improvements.
Disaster Recovery Planning:
Develop a disaster recovery plan: Create a plan outlining procedures for restoring server functionality in case of disasters such as hardware failures, data corruption, or cyberattacks.
Test backups and recovery procedures: Regularly test backups and recovery procedures to ensure data integrity and verify that systems can be restored effectively in case of emergencies.
By following these steps and staying proactive in managing your dedicated server, you can ensure its security, reliability, and optimal performance for your business or organization.
Managing a dedicated server involves tasks such as initial setup, ongoing maintenance, security measures, and monitoring to ensure optimal performance and security. Here’s a guide on how to manage a dedicated server:
Initial Setup:
Provision the server: Purchase or lease a dedicated server from a hosting provider or data center.
Choose an operating system: Select the operating system (OS) that best suits your needs, such as Linux (e.g., Ubuntu, CentOS) or Windows Server.
Configure network settings: Set up networking configurations, including IP addresses, DNS settings, and firewall rules.
Remote Access:
Use remote administration tools: Access the server remotely using tools like SSH (for Linux) or Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) (for Windows).
Secure remote access: Ensure secure remote access by using strong authentication methods like SSH keys or VPN connections.
Security Measures:
Install security updates: Regularly apply OS updates and patches to address security vulnerabilities.
Configure firewall: Set up a firewall to control incoming and outgoing traffic, and only allow necessary ports and services.
Implement security software: Install antivirus, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and other security tools to protect against malware and unauthorized access.
Harden server configurations: Follow security best practices to configure the server securely, such as disabling unnecessary services, limiting user permissions, and using encryption where appropriate.
Monitoring and Performance Optimization:
Monitor server health: Use monitoring tools to track server resource usage (CPU, memory, disk, network) and detect performance issues or anomalies.
Optimize performance: Configure server settings and applications to maximize performance, such as adjusting resource allocation, optimizing database settings, and caching frequently accessed data.
Implement backups: Regularly back up critical data and configurations to prevent data loss in case of hardware failures, accidental deletions, or security breaches.
Regular Maintenance:
Perform routine maintenance tasks: Schedule regular maintenance activities, such as disk defragmentation (for Windows), disk cleanup, log rotation, and database optimization.
Monitor logs: Review server logs for errors, warnings, and security-related events, and take appropriate actions to address any issues identified.
Update software: Keep server software up to date by installing patches, updates, and new releases to address bugs, security vulnerabilities, and performance improvements.
Disaster Recovery Planning:
Develop a disaster recovery plan: Create a plan outlining procedures for restoring server functionality in case of disasters such as hardware failures, data corruption, or cyberattacks.
Test backups and recovery procedures: Regularly test backups and recovery procedures to ensure data integrity and verify that systems can be restored effectively in case of emergencies.
By following these steps and staying proactive in managing your dedicated server, you can ensure its security, reliability, and optimal performance for your business or organization.
Connecting to a Cloud VPS (Virtual Private Server) typically involves several steps, including provisioning the server, accessing it remotely, and configuring it according to your needs. Here’s a general guide on how to connect to a Cloud VPS:
Provision the VPS: Depending on the cloud provider you’re using (such as Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Azure, DigitalOcean, etc.), you’ll need to log in to the provider’s dashboard, navigate to the VPS or instance creation section, and follow the steps to create a new virtual server. This usually involves selecting the operating system, server size, region, and other configuration options.
Obtain Server Credentials: Once the VPS is provisioned, the cloud provider will usually provide you with credentials to access the server. This typically includes an IP address or hostname, a username, and a password or SSH key pair. Make sure to keep these credentials secure.
Connect via SSH (Secure Shell): SSH is a common method for securely accessing remote servers. If you’re using a Unix-based system (such as Linux or macOS), you can open a terminal and use the ssh command to connect to your VPS. For example: ssh username@server_ip Replace username with your actual username and server_ip with the IP address or hostname of your VPS. If you’re prompted for a password, enter the password provided by your cloud provider.
Connect via Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP): If you’re using a Windows-based VPS, you can connect via RDP instead of SSH. On a Windows computer, you can use the Remote Desktop Connection application to connect to your VPS. Enter the IP address or hostname of your VPS, and then enter the username and password provided by your cloud provider.
Initial Server Setup: Once connected to your VPS, you may want to perform some initial configuration tasks, such as updating the system packages, setting up firewalls, installing necessary software, and securing the server. This may vary depending on your specific requirements and the operating system you’re using.
Install Additional Software: Depending on your needs, you may need to install additional software on your VPS, such as a web server (e.g., Apache or Nginx), a database server (e.g., MySQL or PostgreSQL), or other applications.
Regular Maintenance: Keep your VPS up to date with security patches and software updates, and regularly monitor its performance and security.
Remember to follow best practices for security, such as using strong passwords or SSH keys, keeping software up to date, and configuring firewalls to restrict access to your server.
Connecting to a Cloud VPS (Virtual Private Server) typically involves several steps, including provisioning the server, accessing it remotely, and configuring it according to your needs. Here’s a general guide on how to connect to a Cloud VPS:
Provision the VPS: Depending on the cloud provider you’re using (such as Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Azure, DigitalOcean, etc.), you’ll need to log in to the provider’s dashboard, navigate to the VPS or instance creation section, and follow the steps to create a new virtual server. This usually involves selecting the operating system, server size, region, and other configuration options.
Obtain Server Credentials: Once the VPS is provisioned, the cloud provider will usually provide you with credentials to access the server. This typically includes an IP address or hostname, a username, and a password or SSH key pair. Make sure to keep these credentials secure.
Connect via SSH (Secure Shell): SSH is a common method for securely accessing remote servers. If you’re using a Unix-based system (such as Linux or macOS), you can open a terminal and use the ssh command to connect to your VPS. For example: ssh username@server_ip Replace username with your actual username and server_ip with the IP address or hostname of your VPS. If you’re prompted for a password, enter the password provided by your cloud provider.
Connect via Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP): If you’re using a Windows-based VPS, you can connect via RDP instead of SSH. On a Windows computer, you can use the Remote Desktop Connection application to connect to your VPS. Enter the IP address or hostname of your VPS, and then enter the username and password provided by your cloud provider.
Initial Server Setup: Once connected to your VPS, you may want to perform some initial configuration tasks, such as updating the system packages, setting up firewalls, installing necessary software, and securing the server. This may vary depending on your specific requirements and the operating system you’re using.
Install Additional Software: Depending on your needs, you may need to install additional software on your VPS, such as a web server (e.g., Apache or Nginx), a database server (e.g., MySQL or PostgreSQL), or other applications.
Regular Maintenance: Keep your VPS up to date with security patches and software updates, and regularly monitor its performance and security.
Remember to follow best practices for security, such as using strong passwords or SSH keys, keeping software up to date, and configuring firewalls to restrict access to your server.
