List of 20+ Most Common WordPress Errors and How to Fix Them

Many WordPress users discover their first major website error at the worst possible time. Usually, when everything seems to be running perfectly. Seeing a white Screen of Death (WSOD) or a sudden syntax error can make your entire site feel like it’s falling apart.

But here’s the fact: these WordPress errors look simpler than they actually are. You don’t need to be an expert WordPress developer to fix them. With the right steps, even beginners can diagnose and resolve issues that seem complex at first glance.

Over the years, we’ve seen every type of WordPress error, from small glitches on new blog sites to important failures on full-scale e-commerce platforms. Almost all of them follow predictable patterns, making troubleshooting much easier once you know what to check.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common WordPress errors and show you the exact steps to fix them.

The Most Common WordPress Errors List and Their Fixes

Here is the list of those WordPress website issues usually site owners usually face:

1. White Screen of Death (WSOD)

2. Error Establishing a Database Connection

3. 500 Internal Server Error

4. 404 Not Found Error

5. 403 Forbidden Error

6. Maximum Execution Time Exceeded

7. Memory Exhausted Error

8. Upload: Failed to Write File to Disk

9. Briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance. Check back in a minute.

10. Are you sure you want to do this? (Nonce Error)

11. Login Page Keeps Refreshing/Redirecting

12. Syntax Error (Parse Error)

13. Connection Timed Out

14. HTTP Image Upload Error

15. Destination Folder Already Exists

16. 429 Too Many Requests Error

17. Sorry, This File Type Is Not Permitted for Security Reasons.

18. Failed Auto-Update

19. Mixed Content Error (HTTPS/SSL)

20. Sidebar Appears Below Content

21. Image Thumbnails/Sizes Are Incorrect

22. RSS Feed Error

Let’s understand these errors with the proper fixes:

1. White Screen of Death (WSOD) Error

The White Screen of Death appears when WordPress can’t load your site properly. The reason behind this error is caused by faulty themes, plugins, or exhausted resources. They are leaving only a blank white page with no error message.

How to fix this error?

• Start by disabling all free and premium WordPress plugins via FTP and checking if the site loads. If yes, reactivate plugins one by one to find the faulty one.

• Switch temporarily to a default theme to rule out theme conflicts.

• Increase PHP memory and enable debugging to reveal hidden errors.

• Clear the cache from WordPress and your hosting control panel to restore site visibility.

2. Error in Establishing a Database Connection

This error appears when WordPress can’t communicate with your database as usual. The common reasons behind this issue are such as entering incorrect database credentials, corrupted tables, or issues with the web host's database server. Beginners should take the help of an expert WordPress developer when configuring the database.

How to fix this error?

• Verify database username, password, host, and name inside wp-config.php. If credentials are correct, repair the database using WordPress’s built-in repair tool.

• Restart MySQL from your hosting panel if available.

• Contact your host if the database server is down.

• Ensure your database hasn’t reached its size limit or been corrupted.

3. 500 Internal Server Error

A 500 error signals that something on the server is preventing WordPress from loading. There’s no clear guidance to check what aspects of a website are affected, but it can often be caused by corrupted .htaccess files, free of cost plugins having configuration issues, or insufficient PHP limits.

How to fix this error?

• Regenerate the .htaccess file by renaming it and saving new permalink settings.

• Disable plugins to identify conflicts.

• Switch to a default theme for testing. Avoid adding any other free or premium themes.

• Increase PHP memory and execution limits.

• Enable debugging to identify faulty code.

• If nothing works, ask your host to review recent server logs for deeper issues.

4. 404 Not Found Error

This kind of error is the most common one that every website has to face. When you see the “404 Not Found”, it means the website page you want to access is removed, lost, or may be under construction. Due to broken permalinks or missing content, the page opens with the message.

How to fix this error?

• Go to Settings → Permalinks and click Save to rebuild permalink rules.

• Check whether the page or post is actually published.

• Ensure custom post types have correct rewrite rules.

• If using a custom .htaccess setup, regenerate it.

• Clear caching plugins or CDN cache to remove outdated routing issues.

5. 403 Forbidden Error

When you open your WordPress website casually and find “403 Forbidden,” it means the server prevents users from interacting with the page. Behind such issues, you find suspicious plugins affecting site functionality, firewall rules broken, and file permission restrictions.

How to fix this error?

• Temporarily disable security plugins to isolate the cause.

• Reset file and folder permissions to recommended levels (folders 755, files 644).

• Check .htaccess for incorrect rules and rebuild it.

• Disable and re-enable mod_security from your hosting panel if available.

• If the issue persists, request your hosting provider to whitelist legitimate requests.

6. Maximum Execution Time Exceeded Error

This error appears when a PHP script runs longer time than the server allows. There’s no issue from your side in most cases. Some WordPress web hosting providers set the time limit on higher and lower levels as per convenience. Once the limit is exceeded, the message appears.

How to fix this error?

• Increase the max execution time value in your php.ini, .htaccess, or wp-config.php.

• Disable plugins that trigger long-running scripts.

• Update your theme and plugins for efficiency.

• Contact your host to raise resource limits if you’re on shared hosting.

• Optimizing your site’s performance can also prevent repeated timeouts.

7. Memory Exhausted Error

WordPress has its assigned PHP memory limit to access the website. Once the limit is reached, the error with “Fatal Error text” is shown. This results in preventing a complete site load, the current pages may break, and the scripts stop running.

How to fix this error?

• Increase memory in wp-config.php using the WP_MEMORY_LIMIT constant.

• Deactivate resource-loaded plugins and update them.

• Ensure your WordPress theme is optimized and not overloading memory.

• Ask your host to increase server memory or move to a plan with higher resources if the issue keeps returning.

8. Upload: Failed to Write File to Disk Error

Your website has files and folders that have a set of permissions to write to. When you get the “Upload: Failed to Write File to Disk” error, it means there’s somewhere incorrect file permission given. From there, web servers can create a new file or folder you want to make.

How to fix this error?

• Check and correct folder permissions for wp-content/uploads.

• Clear or recreate the temporary upload folder from your hosting panel.

• Make sure you haven’t exceeded storage limits.

• Reset permissions to recommended defaults (755/644).

• Contact your host if the temporary directory is improperly configured.

9. Briefly Unavailable For Scheduled Maintenance Error

This message appears when WordPress updates are interrupted. It leaves the site stuck in maintenance mode due to an incomplete update process. So, you can’t access the website for further requirements and have to fix it by yourself.

How to fix this error?

• Access your site via FTP and delete the .maintenance file in the root directory.

• Ensure your auto-update process isn’t being interrupted by low memory.

• Update plugins and themes individually. Consider the documentation.

• If updates frequently get stuck, increase PHP limits and disable conflicting plugins before major updates.

10. Are You Sure You Want to Do This? (Nonce Error)

A Nonce-related error occurs when WordPress is unable to verify an action performed by the users. Expired sessions, plugin conflicts, or corrupted form requests are common aspects identified for this issue.

How to fix this error?

• Clear the browser cache and re-login. Disable recently added plugins, especially security or form-related ones.

• Increase max upload size and memory if performing large actions.

• Regenerate permalinks and flush cache.

• If the error appears during theme or plugin upload, ensure the file isn’t corrupted.

11. Login Page Keeps Refreshing/Redirecting

When a user wants to log in to the WordPress dashboard with correct credentials, they’re landing on the same admin page. This is called “a redirect loop error on the login page.” It usually happens due to incorrect cookie settings, corrupted .htaccess rules, or issues with plugins controlling authentication.

How to fix this error?

• Clear browser cookies and cache.

• Disable all plugins via FTP.

• Rename wp-admin and wp-includes temporarily, then back to refresh.

• Regenerate .htaccess by resetting permalinks.

• Check the site URL and home URL values in the database to ensure they match.

• Disable security plugins temporarily.

12. Syntax Error (Parse Error)

A syntax error occurs when PHP code is incorrectly written in the prescribed format. By missing characters, extra brackets, or editing theme/plugin files incorrectly, the error appears with the “Line number” where the issue has been found. For solving this issue, taking help from an experienced WordPress developer or a PHP expert can be a good choice.

How to fix this error?

• Use FTP to access the file causing the error, then remove or correct the faulty code.

• Restore from backup if you’re unsure what changed.

• Avoid editing PHP files from the WordPress editor.

• Test custom code in a staging environment before applying changes to your live site.

13. Connection Timed Out Error

Usually, the website has to load within 1-3 seconds, but sometimes it can’t. Then, an error shows: “Connection Timed Out.” When getting this message, it indicates the server takes longer to respond than its ideal time length. Heavy plugin integrations, low hosting resources, or long-running scripts in the background cause this error in a WordPress website.

How to fix this error?

• Disable heavy plugins like page builders or security tools temporarily.

• Increase PHP memory and max execution time for smooth loading.

• Switch to a default theme to test performance and measure the gap.

• Optimize images and caching to reduce load.

• Contact your host to check resource limits or upgrade to a premium plan for speed.

14. HTTP Image Upload Error

Getting “HTTP Error” suggests that the image does not have permission to be uploaded using the WordPress media uploader. The most common reasons behind this error are permission issues, incorrect image sizes, or server configuration limits.

How to fix this error?

• Rename the image by removing the space, including hyphens, and try again.

• Switch temporarily to the browser uploader.

• Ensure correct file permissions in wp-content/uploads.

• Increase WordPress memory and check again.

• Disable plugins affecting media processing to be uploaded for speed.

• If using a CDN, purge cache frequently.

• Confirm that PHP modules like GD or Imagick are enabled on the website.

15. Destination Folder Already Exists Error

When you install a WordPress theme or plugin, WordPress extracts the ZIP file into a folder. The installation can fail if a folder with the same name already exists, usually from a failed or incomplete previous installation. It shows the following text error.

“Destination folder already exists. /home/user/example.com/wp-content/theme/memecoin/

Theme install failed.”

How to fix this error?

• Using FTP, go to wp-content/themes or wp-content/plugins and delete the incomplete folder.

• Reinstall the required plugin or theme in the proposed manner.

• Check file permissions if permissible to avoid installation conflicts.

• If this repeats, clear temporary files and ensure your hosting doesn’t block extraction processes.

16. 429 Too Many Requests Error

The “429 Too Many Requests” error appears when your WordPress site sends an unusually high number of requests within a short period. This behavior often comes from bots, rate-limited APIs, or overly aggressive plugins. When triggered, it can also signal search engines to temporarily slow down or pause crawling your website.

How to fix this error?

• Limit bot traffic using reliable security plugins.

• Reduce the usage of external API calls. If possible, pause it.

• Check CDN or firewall settings for rate-limit rules.

• Disable plugins that generate excessive requests or pings to affect communications.

• Ask your hosting provider to inspect server logs for suspicious activity.

• Implement server-level rate-limiting or throttling if needed.

17. Sorry, This File Type Is Not Permitted for Security Reasons Error

WordPress by default prevents corrupted file formats from being uploaded to your site. This includes SVG, PSD, custom fonts, or visuals. However, if you wish to upload those files, it can be solved with the available plugins and adding code.

How to fix this error?

• Enable additional file types by editing wp-config.php or using a credible file upload plugin.

• Ensure the file extension is correct and safe to be used.

• Verify that MIME types (text/html, image/jpeg) match.

• For security, only allow extra formats temporarily or on trusted sites.

• If uploading SVGs, check them before uploading them.

18. Failed Auto-Update Error

Auto-updates in WordPress are required. Sometimes, it may fail due to connection drops, insufficient resources, permission issues, or conflicting update processes. The site accessibility is no longer available during this duration.

How to fix this error?

• Delete the .maintenance file first.

• Update WordPress manually through FTP if automatic updates fail repeatedly.

• Ensure correct file permissions are given.

• Increase PHP limits and memory to the upper level.

• Disable conflicting plugins during major updates.

• Check hosting logs for update interruptions if they occur.

19. Mixed Content Error (HTTPS/SSL)

A secure website is a must-have as of now. But this error in WordPress appears when your HTTPS site loads images or scripts over HTTP. This can cause security warnings and broken elements. When this error occurs, it is considered a warning signal where privacy can be compromised.

How to fix this error?

• Use a plugin like Really Simple SSL or update URLs manually to HTTPS in the database.

• Fix complex-coded links in themes or widgets.

• Regenerate thumbnails if needed.

• Ensure your SSL certificate is active and configured properly.

• Clear caching and CDN data for refreshing the site.

20. Sidebar Appears Below Content Error

Your website’s sidebar drops below the content when theme templates contain broken HTML, missing div tags, or incorrect width settings. The entire user experience is ruined and frustrates the visitors. This WordPress site error can be found in free themes where the best practices of development have been ignored.

How to fix this error?

• Inspect theme templates for unclosed tags.

• Switch to a default theme to confirm whether it’s a theme-related issue or not.

• Adjust CSS widths in the proposed manner or reset layout settings.

• Disable page builder blocks affecting the website structure.

• Validate the HTML file using online tools to detect markup errors.

21. Image Thumbnails/Sizes Incorrect Error

WordPress may display incorrect image sizes when thumbnail settings change or themes use custom dimensions. This error also increases the website loading speed and needs attention for optimization.

How to fix this error?

• Regenerate all thumbnails using a regeneration plugin.

• Update image size settings in Settings → Media.

• Check the theme documentation for required sizes.

• Replace outdated images manually if needed.

• Disable plugins that alter image compression.

22. RSS Feed Error

RSS feed errors in WordPress occur when themes or plugins output extra spaces, broken XML, or invalid characters that disrupt feed formatting. As a result, clicking your RSS feed link may show an unreadable page. This can affect site navigation for the crawler to catch the web pages.

How to fix this error?

• Remove any blank spaces before or after PHP tags.

• Switch to a default theme to isolate theme issues.

• Disable all plugins and re-enable them gradually.

• Validate your RSS feed using online tools.

• Rebuild permalinks if necessary.

Once you have solved these errors, then it’s better to refer to a WordPress website setup checklist. It guides you on what to prioritize and what not to.

Conclusion

Most WordPress errors look complex, but they’re usually simple to diagnose and fix once you know the cause. With careful troubleshooting, regular updates, and optimized plugins, you can prevent many issues from recurring. Let’s keep your website running smoothly, securely, and with minimal downtime.