Introduction
The White Screen of Death (WSOD) is one of the most frustrating errors WordPress users encounter. It appears as a blank white screen instead of your website — no error messages, no clues. This issue can affect the front end, the admin panel, or both, making it difficult to pinpoint the root cause.
In this detailed guide, we’ll explore why the WordPress White Screen of Death occurs, how to diagnose it properly, and walk through step-by-step solutions to fix it. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, this guide will help you get your site back up and running.
H2: What Is the WordPress White Screen of Death?
The WSOD refers to a completely blank page on your WordPress website or admin panel. Unlike other WordPress errors, this one doesn’t display any message — hence the “death” part of the name. It’s a silent failure and usually points to serious PHP or memory-related issues.
Common Causes of WSOD
- PHP memory limit exceeded
- Faulty or outdated plugins
- Theme conflicts
- Corrupted WordPress core files
- Syntax errors in PHP files
- Server misconfiguration
Preliminary Checks Before Debugging
Before jumping into fixes:
· Check multiple browsers and devices.
· Use incognito mode or clear your browser cache.
· Try accessing both frontend and /wp-admin.
· Make sure your hosting service isn’t experiencing downtime.
If the issue persists, proceed with the fixes below.
Step-by-Step Fixes
Increase the PHP Memory Limit
A common cause of WSOD is exceeding the memory limit.
Edit wp-config.php and add:
define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);
Alternatively, modify .htaccess:
php_value memory_limit 256M
If you still see the white screen, move on.
Disable All Plugins
Sometimes a single plugin causes a fatal error.
Steps:
- Access your site via FTP or File Manager in cPanel.
- Navigate to /wp-content/
- Rename the plugins folder to plugins_old
- Refresh your website. If it loads, a plugin is the issue.
Rename it back to plugins and then rename each plugin one by one to isolate the culprit.
Switch to a Default Theme
A corrupted or incompatible theme may also trigger the WSOD.
Steps:
- Navigate to /wp-content/themes/
- Rename your active theme folder (e.g., mytheme to mytheme_old)
- WordPress will revert to a default theme like twentytwentyfive
If your site loads, your theme is to blame.
Enable Debug Mode
Enabling debug mode will show the PHP errors on screen or in logs.
Edit wp-config.php:
define(‘WP_DEBUG’, true);
define(‘WP_DEBUG_LOG’, true);
define(‘WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY’, false);
Then check the wp-content/debug.log file for error messages.
Clear Cache
A caching plugin or server-level cache could serve the white page even after you fix the problem.
- Clear your browser cache
- If using caching plugins like W3 Total Cache or WP Super Cache, clear them via FTP by removing their respective cache folders
- Clear CDN cache if using Cloudflare or similar
Check File Permissions
Incorrect permissions can break your WordPress functionality.
Recommended permissions:
- Files: 644
- Folders: 755
- wp-config.php: 440 or 400
You can change permissions using FTP or the cPanel file manager.
Replace Corrupted Core Files
If you suspect a corrupted core file:
- Download the latest version of WordPress from wordpress.org
- Extract and upload everything except the wp-content folder and wp-config.php
- Overwrite the existing files
This refreshes the core without affecting your content.
Restore from a Backup
If all else fails, revert to a working backup.
- Use your hosting provider’s one-click restore
- Or use backup plugins like UpdraftPlus, BlogVault, or BackupBuddy
Ensure your backups are up-to-date moving forward.
Special Case: White Screen in Admin Only
If your admin dashboard shows a white screen but the frontend works, the issue is likely with:
- A plugin hooked into admin
- A theme function affecting admin
- Memory limit too low for dashboard scripts
Follow the same troubleshooting steps with special attention to plugins and admin-related custom code.
Using Error Logs for Deeper Diagnosis
Ask your hosting provider to enable PHP error logging or check:
- error_log in your root directory
- wp-content/debug.log (if debug mode is enabled)
Search for lines like:
PHP Fatal error: Call to undefined function…
These lines pinpoint the exact file and line causing WSOD.
Preventing WSOD in the Future
· Use staging environments before updates
· Keep plugins/themes updated
· Maintain regular backups
· Monitor your site using tools like Uptime Robot
· Avoid poorly coded plugins/themes from unknown sources
· Use a managed WordPress host with automated backups and staging
Final Thoughts
The WordPress White Screen of Death may seem intimidating, but it’s almost always fixable with systematic troubleshooting. By understanding the potential causes and implementing preventive practices, you can minimize downtime and keep your site healthy.
If you’re not comfortable editing code or handling server-side issues, don’t hesitate to contact a professional — sometimes a quick expert fix can save hours of frustration.
Facing the WordPress White Screen of Death? Follow this step-by-step guide and restore your site like a pro. Bookmark this post — you’ll be glad you did!
