Imagine, one day, your website displays the dreaded message: “There Has Been a Critical Error on Your Website.” This message creates panic for website owners and visitors. Whether you are running a blog or an online business, the error feels like a nightmare, especially if you don’t know how to resolve it.
Nevertheless, the issue is more common than you think. The good news is that it is fixable. In this tutorial, we will point out all possible solutions to fix this problem. Whether it is a plugin conflict or a theme issue, we have got you covered.
Step-by-Step Guide to Troubleshoot Critical Website Error
Follow these quick steps to resolve your critical website error.
Enable Debug Mode
- Log in to your cPanel.
- Go to the website’s root folder where all files are stored.
- Locate and open the wp-config.php file.
- Modify the following line. Change to false, if the boolean value is true.
define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );- Check your website after you enable debug mode. It will how the error log.
Troubleshoot Plugin Issues
- Try temporarily disabling the plugin mentioned in the error log to see if it is causing the problem.
- You can identify the problematic plugins by disabling all plugins and enabling them one by one.
- If the problematic plugins are not essential to your website, you can either reinstall them or remove them.
Switch to a Default Theme
- Sometimes, you need to switch to the default WordPress theme to avoid such conflicts.
- Access the WordPress dashboard by switching themes from Appearances >> Themes. Use FTP if the dashboard is inaccessible.
- Connect through FTP.
- Navigate to wp-content/themes.
- Rename your current theme folder (this allows you to restore it later if needed).
Increase PHP Memory Limit
- A Low PHP memory can also be the reason to trigger such issues. Refer to our valuable learning resources to increase PHP memory:
How to Update the WordPress Memory Limit from cPanel?
How to Change PHP Settings in cPanel Using the MultiPHP INI Editor?
Update Your PHP Version
- Running an outdated PHP version can cause site crashes and compatibility issues. Always keep your PHP version updated. Follow this guide:
How can I change my PHP Version in cPanel?
Facing the “There has been a critical error on your website” error is frustrating, but it is easy to resolve. You can enable debug mode, check for the plugin and theme conflicts, increase the PHP memory limit, and update the PHP version, so you can quickly identify and resolve the issue.
But always backup your website data before making any major changes to avoid such data loss. If still the problem occurs, reach out to the support team of MilesWeb. Our team would be happy to assist you further. Keeping your WordPress website updated and optimized will help prevent such errors in the future, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience for both you and your visitors.
