How to Fix the WordPress White Screen of Death (WSoD): A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction: What is the White Screen of Death?

The WordPress White Screen of Death (WSoD) is a blank screen that appears when loading your site, leaving no error messages or clues. It’s often caused by PHP errors , memory exhaustion , plugin/theme conflicts , or database issues . This guide will walk you through diagnosing and resolving the WSoD, even if you’re a beginner.

Why Does the White Screen Happen?

Before fixing the issue, it’s crucial to understand its root causes:

1. Plugin/Theme Conflicts : A faulty plugin or theme can crash your site
2. Memory Exhaustion : Low PHP memory limits can halt WordPress processes.
3. Corrupted Files : Damaged core files or incomplete updates may trigger the WSoD.
4. Server Issues : Caching, PHP version mismatches, or hosting misconfigurations.

Step 1: Basic Checks to Rule Out Simple Fixes

Start with these quick actions to eliminate common (and easy-to-resolve) causes.

A. Refresh the Browser and Clear Cache

• Why? A cached version of your site might display the WSoD even after the issue is resolved.
• How :
  • Press Ctrl + F5 (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + R (Mac) to hard-refresh the browser.
  • Test the site in an incognito window.
  • Clear your browser cache or try a different browser.

B. Clear WordPress Caching Plugins

Caching plugins like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache can sometimes serve outdated files.

• Action :
  • Log in to your WordPress dashboard (if possible).
  • Navigate to your caching plugin’s settings.
  • Click Clear Cache or Purge Cache
• No Access to Dashboard? Delete the plugin folder via FTP:
  • Go to /wp-content/plugins/ and rename the caching plugin’s folder (e.g., wp-rocket_deactivated).

C. Disable All Plugins

A misbehaving plugin is the most common cause of WSoD.

• Via WordPress Dashboard :
  • Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins .
  • Select all plugins → Bulk Actions → Deactivate → Apply.
• Via FTP (If Dashboard Is Inaccessible) :
  • Connect to your site via FTP (e.g., FileZilla).
  • Navigate to /wp-content/plugins/.
  • Rename the plugins folder to plugins_deactivated.
  • Check if your site loads. If yes, reactivate plugins one by one to identify the culprit.

Step 2: Switch to a Default Theme

A corrupted or poorly coded theme can cause the WSoD.

• Via Dashboard :
  • Go to Appearance → Themes .
  • Activate a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Four .
• Via FTP (If Dashboard Is Down) :
  1. Navigate to /wp-content/themes/.
  2. Rename your current theme’s folder (e.g., my-theme_deactivated).
  3. WordPress will automatically revert to a default theme.

Step 3: Increase PHP Memory Limit

Low memory can crash PHP scripts, leading to a blank screen.

• How to Fix :
  1. Access your site via FTP or hosting file manager.
  2. Open wp-config.php (located in the root directory).
  3. define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’); Add this line above /* That's all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */,
  4. Save the file and reload your site.
• Note : Some hosts restrict memory limits. Contact support if the issue persists.

Step 4: Enable WordPress Debugging Mode

Debugging logs reveal hidden PHP errors.

Open wp-config.php., Replace define('WP_DEBUG', false); with:

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

Check the /wp-content/debug.log file for errors.

Step 5: Resolve PHP Version Conflicts

Outdated PHP versions can clash with themes/plugins.

1. Update PHP :
   • Go to your hosting control panel → PHP Settings → Select PHP 8.0+
2. Check Compatibility :
   • Ensure all plugins/themes support your PHP version.
   • Temporarily disable custom code if errors arise.

Step 6: Scan for Malware

Malware infections can corrupt files and cause WSoD.

• Use Security Plugins :
  • Install Wordfence or Sucuri to scan and clean your site.
• Manual Check :
  • Look for unfamiliar files in /wp-content/uploads/ or core directories.

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