Likely fix
Fix: WordPress critical error or white screen
A WordPress critical error or white screen is usually caused by a plugin conflict, theme error, PHP fatal error, memory limit issue, or failed update.
Quick answer
Disable plugins first, then switch to a default theme if needed. Check the WordPress recovery email, hosting error logs, and recent updates.
Important warning
Back up the site before deleting plugins, themes, or database tables. Renaming folders is safer than deleting them.
Try this
- 1 Check your email for a WordPress recovery mode link.
- 2 If recovery mode works, disable the plugin or theme named in the error.
- 3 If you cannot access wp-admin, use hosting file manager or FTP.
- 4 Rename the plugins folder to plugins-disabled.
- 5 Reload the site.
- 6 If the site works, rename the folder back to plugins and reactivate plugins one by one.
- 7 If plugins are not the cause, switch to a default theme such as Twenty Twenty-Four.
- 8 Check hosting error logs for the exact PHP fatal error.
Common causes
Plugin conflict.
Theme PHP error.
Failed update.
Unsupported PHP version.
Memory limit exceeded.
Missing plugin or theme file.
What to check next
- Check the WordPress recovery mode email.
- Check which plugin or theme changed recently.
- Check hosting error logs.
- Check PHP version.
- Check whether the site works with plugins disabled.