How to Troubleshoot a White Screen of Death (WSOD) in WordPress

The White Screen of Death (WSOD) is a common WordPress issue where your site displays a blank white screen with no error message. This can be caused by plugin or theme conflicts, PHP memory issues, or corrupted files. Follow these steps to identify and resolve the WSOD.

Step 1: Check for Plugin Conflicts

Conflicting plugins are a frequent cause of WSOD. You can disable plugins either through the WordPress Dashboard or directly in the Shared Hosting Control Panel.

Method 1: Deactivate Plugins in the Shared Hosting Control Panel

1. Log into the Shared Hosting Control Panel

   • Go to https://cp.lonestardataranch.com and enter your credentials.

2. Navigate to the Apps Section

   • Click on the website experiencing the WSOD.
   • Select Apps from the top menu.
   • Choose the WordPress install you want to modify from the list.

3. Deactivate Plugins

   • Click on Plugins in the left-hand menu.
   • Locate the plugin you want to deactivate and click Deactivate next to it.

Method 2: Deactivate Plugins in the WordPress Dashboard

1. Log into the Dashboard (if accessible).
2. Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
3. Deactivate all plugins by selecting them, choosing Deactivate, and clicking Apply.

After deactivating plugins, check if the WSOD is resolved. If it is, reactivate each plugin one-by-one, refreshing the site each time to identify the conflicting plugin.

Step 2: Switch to a Default Theme

A corrupted or incompatible theme can also cause WSOD. You can switch to a default theme through either the WordPress Dashboard or the Shared Hosting Control Panel.

Method 1: Switch Theme in the Shared Hosting Control Panel

1. Log into the Shared Hosting Control Panel and click on the website.
2. Go to Apps at the top menu and select the WordPress install.
3. Click Themes in the left-hand menu.
4. Find the theme you want to deactivate and click Deactivate.

Method 2: Switch Theme in the Dashboard

1. Go to Appearance > Themes in the WordPress Dashboard.
2. Activate a default theme like Twenty Twenty-One.

If you cannot access the Dashboard, use FTP to rename the active theme’s folder in wp-content/themes, which will force WordPress to switch to a default theme.

Step 3: Increase PHP Memory Limit

Sometimes, WSOD is caused by low PHP memory. Increasing the memory limit can help resolve the issue.

1. Edit wp-config.php

   • Log into the Shared Hosting Control Panel and open the File Manager or connect via FTP.

   • Find wp-config.php in the root directory and open it.

   • Add the following line near the bottom:

     php

     Copy code

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

2. Save Changes and Refresh

   • Save the changes, and then try reloading your website. If the issue was due to memory, the white screen should be resolved.

Step 4: Enable Debugging in WordPress

Enabling debugging mode can provide more information about the cause of WSOD.

1. Enable Debug Mode in wp-config.php

   • Open wp-config.php in the File Manager or FTP.

   • Look for define('WP_DEBUG', false); and change it to:

     php

     Copy code

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

2. Check the Debug Log

   • Visit your site again, then check the wp-content/debug.log file for error messages. These messages can help pinpoint the cause of the issue.

Important: Once troubleshooting is complete, turn off debugging by setting WP_DEBUG to false.

Step 5: Restore a Backup

If the issue persists and troubleshooting hasn’t resolved it, consider restoring your site to a previous state.

1. Restore from Control Panel Backup

   • In the Shared Hosting Control Panel, navigate to Backups and select a recent backup to restore.

2. Restore via Backup Plugin

   • If you use a plugin like UpdraftPlus, follow the plugin’s instructions to restore your site.

By following these steps, you can resolve the White Screen of Death and restore your WordPress site to normal. If you still encounter issues, our support team is here to help.