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How to Fix WordPress Website Not Loading (All Methods) 

Written By: author avatar Seahawk
author avatar Seahawk
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Picture this: You’re about to show off your website to a potential client, and boom—it won’t load. Heart racing, palms sweaty. We’ve all been there. A WordPress website not loading can send even the calmest person into a panic. Is it faulty WordPress development, or is it something wrong with your hosting? A rogue plugin? Did you break something in the last update? Or worse, did your site get hacked? The reasons can be many, but don’t worry—you’re not alone in this. 

Thousands of WordPress users face this issue every day. The good news? Most of the time, it’s fixable. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the common culprits and how to get your site back up and running. Ready to turn that panic into relief? Let’s dive in and fix your WordPress site.

Possible Reasons Your WordPress Website Is Not Loading

Can’t figure out why it won’t load? Let’s look at some common culprits:

  • Your hosting service is having a bad day (or week): Servers can crash or slow down due to high traffic or technical issues.
  • Too many plugins are slowing things down to a crawl: Each plugin and theme auto-update adds code, and too many can overload your site’s resources.
  • A recent update broke something important: New versions of WordPress, themes, or plugins can sometimes cause conflicts.
  • Your theme doesn’t play nice with your current WordPress version: Outdated themes may not be compatible with newer WordPress updates.
  • Someone hacked your site and messed things up: Hackers can inject malicious code, causing your site to malfunction.
  • Your database is overloaded with old, unnecessary stuff: Accumulated data from posts, revisions, and comments can slow WordPress backend of your site.
  • A plugin conflict is causing everything to freeze up: Two or more plugins might be fighting each other, causing your site to crash.
  • Your .htaccess file got corrupted and needs fixing: This important file controls how your server behaves, and errors here can break your site.
  • Your site’s memory limit is set too low for what you’re trying to do: If your site needs more than memory limit, it can stop working.
  • A caching plugin is holding onto old versions of your pages: Sometimes caching plugins don’t update properly, showing outdated content.

Also Check: How to do Emergency WordPress Troubleshooting of Issues

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Fixing WordPress Website Not Loading: 12 Methods

Here, we outline 12 effective methods to get your site back up and running:

Method 1: Troubleshooting and Fixing Server Errors Hidden in Your .htaccess File

The .htaccess file is a powerful tool that controls how your server behaves. Sometimes, errors in this file can cause your site to break.

.htaccess-file

Here’s how to fix it:

  • Connect to your site using FTP
  • Find the .htaccess file in your WordPress root directory
  • Rename it to .htaccess_old
  • Try to access your site again
  • If it works, generate a new .htaccess file through WordPress
  • If it doesn’t, the issue lies elsewhere

Also Find Out: WordPress Debugging Tools For Troubleshooting

Method 2: Resolving Database Connection Issues by Tweaking Your wp-config.php File

Database connection problems can stop your site from loading. The wp-config.php file holds your database info. Let’s check if it’s correct:

  • Access your site files via FTP
  • Open the wp-config.php file
  • Check if the database name, username, and password are correct
  • Update them if needed
  • Save the file and upload it back
  • Try loading your site again

Also Read: How to Troubleshooting PHP Errors in WordPress?

Method 3: Overcoming the Dreaded White Screen: Steps to Bring Your Site Back to Life

The “White Screen of Death” can be scary, but it’s often fixable. It usually happens due to memory issues or plugin conflicts. Here’s what to do:

  • Increase PHP memory limit in wp-config.php file
  • If that doesn’t work, deactivate all plugins
  • Access your plugins folder via FTP
  • Rename the plugins folder to “plugins_old”
  • Check if your site loads
  • If it does, rename the folder back and activate plugins one by one to find the culprit

Read More In Detail: How to Troubleshooting PHP Errors in WordPress?

Method 4: Unsticking Your WordPress Site from Endless Maintenance Mode

Endless-Maintenance-Mode-for-WordPress-Website-Not-Loading

Sometimes, WordPress gets stuck in maintenance mode after an update. This is how you can manually take it out:

  • Connect to your site using FTP
  • Look for a file named .maintenance in your WordPress root directory
  • If you find it, delete it
  • Refresh your website
  • If it’s still not working, clear your browser cache and try again

Know More: The Importance of Caching in WordPress

Method 5: Avoiding Unexpected Downtime: Keeping Track of Domain and Hosting Renewals

One of the most frustrating reasons for a site to go down is simply forgetting to renew your domain or hosting. This oversight can lead to your site disappearing without warning, potentially causing lost traffic and revenue. 

Keeping track of these renewal dates is a crucial part of website maintenance that’s often overlooked. By staying on top of these important deadlines, you can ensure your site remains accessible to your visitors without interruption, this way:

  • Set up reminders for domain and hosting renewal dates
  • Enable auto-renewal if your budget allows
  • Keep your contact info up to date with your registrar and host
  • Check your spam folder for renewal notices
  • Consider renewing for multiple years to avoid yearly hassles

Also Check: Top Free WordPress Hosting Providers in the USA 

Method 6: Debugging and Repairing Syntax Errors Lurking in Your function.php File

Syntax errors in your theme’s functions.php file can crash your site. Here’s how to fix them:

  • Connect to your site via FTP
  • Navigate to your current theme’s folder
  • Download the functions.php file
  • Open it in a text editor
  • Look for obvious errors like missing semicolons or brackets
  • If you can’t find the error, replace the file with a backup version
  • If you don’t have a backup, create a new functions.php with just <?php ?>
  • Upload the file and check if your site loads

Also Read: Best WordPress Backup Plugins

Method 7: Optimizing Your Site’s URL Structure: A Guide to Proper Permalink Settings

Your site’s URL structure, controlled by permalink settings, plays a crucial role in both user experience and search engine optimization. Incorrect permalink settings can lead to “404 Not Found” errors, making your pages inaccessible to visitors and search engines alike. Optimizing these settings ensures your content is easily reachable and your URLs are clean and descriptive, which can boost your site’s overall performance in search results.

secure-SSL

Wrong permalink settings can make your pages unreachable. Let’s fix that:

  • Log into your WordPress dashboard
  • Go to Settings > Permalinks
  • Choose a permalink structure (Post name is often best for SEO)
  • Save changes
  • If you can’t access the dashboard, edit the .htaccess file manually
  • Add the default WordPress permalink structure to .htaccess
  • Save and upload the file

Method 8: Boosting Your Site’s Performance by Increasing PHP Memory Limits

Low PHP memory can cause your site to crash. Here’s how to give it more room:

  • Access your wp-config.php file via FTP
  • Add this line: define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);
  • Save and upload the file
  • If that doesn’t work, contact your host to increase server-side limits
  • Consider upgrading your hosting plan if you consistently need more resources

Method 9: Allowing Complex Tasks to Complete: Extending Script Execution Time

WordPress uses PHP scripts to generate your pages dynamically. By default, these scripts have a limited time to complete their tasks. For most operations, this time limit is sufficient. However, when dealing with complex processes like importing large amounts of data, generating reports, or running website backups, the script might time out before finishing. 

This can lead to incomplete operations and common error messages. Extending the script execution time gives these complex tasks the opportunity to complete successfully. Sometimes, your site times out before finishing a task. Let’s give it more time:

  • Open your wp-config.php file
  • Add this line: set_time_limit(300);
  • This extends the execution time to 5 minutes
  • Save and upload the file
  • If issues persist, talk to your host about increasing server-side limits
  • Be careful with this setting, as it can affect server performance

Also Check: What is Enqueue-Script in WordPress?

Method 10: Hunting Down and Eliminating Broken Code That’s Crashing Your Site

Broken code snippets can lurk in various parts of your WordPress site, causing unexpected crashes and errors. These snippets might be leftover from old plugins, poorly implemented customizations, or even malicious injections. 

fixing-broken-code

Identifying and removing this problematic code can be like finding a needle in a haystack, but it’s crucial for restoring your site’s stability and performance. This method involves a systematic approach to locating and eliminating the troublesome code.

  • Enable WordPress debug mode in wp-config.php
  • Add these lines: define(‘WP_DEBUG’, true); define(‘WP_DEBUG_LOG’, true);
  • Check your site and note any errors in the debug.log file
  • Look for patterns in the errors pointing to specific files or plugins
  • Use FTP to access and review the highlighted files
  • Remove or comment out suspicious code snippets
  • Test your site after each change
  • If the issue persists, consider using a staging site to test more extensively

Method 11: Staying Current and Secure: Upgrading to the Latest WordPress Version

Keeping your WordPress installation up to date is crucial for security, performance, and compatibility. Older versions may have known vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit, or they might not support the latest features of themes and plugins. However, updating WordPress can sometimes lead to conflicts with existing themes and plugins. This method guides you through a safe update process to minimize the risk of breaking your site.

  • Back up your entire WordPress site and database
  • Check your current WordPress version in the dashboard
  • Visit the official WordPress site to see the latest version
  • If an update is available, click “Update Now” in your dashboard
  • If you can’t access your dashboard, use FTP for a manual update
  • Download the latest WordPress version
  • Replace the wp-admin and wp-includes folders
  • Replace individual files in the root directory (except wp-config.php)
  • Run the WordPress update script by visiting your site
  • Test your site thoroughly after the update

Also Read: How to Fix CORS Error in WordPress?

Method 12: Streamlining Your Site: Identifying and Deactivating Outdated Plugins and Themes

Over time, WordPress sites can accumulate a collection of plugins and themes that are no longer necessary or compatible with the current version. These outdated components can slow down your site, create security vulnerabilities, or even cause conflicts that crash your website. Regularly reviewing and cleaning up your plugins and themes can significantly improve your site’s performance and stability.

  • Log into your WordPress dashboard
  • Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins
  • Look for plugins marked as “out of date” or not tested with your WP version
  • Deactivate and delete plugins you no longer use
  • Update remaining plugins that have available updates
  • Go to Appearance > Themes
  • Delete any themes you’re not actively using
  • Update your current theme if an update is available
  • If your site uses a child theme, ensure it’s still compatible with the parent
  • After cleaning up, test your site’s functionality thoroughly
  • Consider using a plugin like Query Monitor to check for any remaining conflicts

Check More: How to Fix the “Update Failed: -1” Error in WordPress: Actionable Tips

Conclusion

A non-functioning WordPress site can be a headache, but it’s rarely a lost cause. With the methods we’ve explored, you’re now armed with the knowledge to tackle most common issues. Remember, patience is key when troubleshooting. If you’re still stuck after trying these solutions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your hosting provider or a WordPress expert. Regular maintenance and backups can prevent many of these issues from occurring in the first place. Keep learning, stay curious, and your WordPress journey will be smoother sailing. Here’s to your site staying up and running, come what may!

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