15+ Proven Ways to Fix “There Has Been a Critical Error on Your WordPress Website”

Encountering the dreaded “There has been a critical error on this website” message is enough to send panic through any website owner. Unlike the classic White Screen of Death, WordPress at least gives you a slight hint that something is wrong, usually accompanied by an email notification pointing toward the culprit.

Because this error acts as a catch-all for various fatal PHP errors, troubleshooting requires a systematic approach. In this comprehensive guide, SiteSuraksha’s security and maintenance experts break down the top 15+ methods to resolve this issue and get your website back online safely.

Why Does the WordPress Critical Error Happen?

The error almost always stems from a PHP issue—typically a plugin or theme conflict, exhausted memory limits, or outdated PHP versions. When WordPress encounters a fatal error it cannot recover from on its own, it triggers this safety message to prevent further damage.

15+ Steps to Troubleshoot and Fix the Critical Error

1. Check Your Email for Details

When this error occurs, WordPress automatically sends a troubleshooting email to the site administrator’s address. This email usually includes the exact file and line of code that triggered the failure, pointing you directly to the problematic plugin or theme.

2. Enable WordPress Debug Mode

If you didn’t receive an email, you can enable debugging manually. Access your site via FTP or cPanel, locate your wp-config.php file, and add the following lines:

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

This will display the error messages directly on your screen, helping you identify the root cause.

3. Deactivate All Plugins via FTP

Plugins are the most common cause of critical errors. If you cannot access your WordPress dashboard, use FTP or your host’s File Manager to navigate to wp-content and rename the plugins folder to plugins_old. Check if your site loads. If it does, rename it back and disable plugins one by one from your dashboard to find the offender.

4. Switch to a Default WordPress Theme

A corrupted theme file can also trigger a fatal error. Using FTP, navigate to wp-content/themes and temporarily move your active theme folder to another directory. This will force WordPress to default to a standard theme (like Twenty Twenty-Four). If your site returns, the issue lies within your custom theme.

5. Increase Your PHP Memory Limit

WordPress requires adequate memory to run smoothly. If your site exhausts its allocated memory, a critical error occurs. You can increase the limit by adding this line to your wp-config.php file:

define( 'WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M' );

6. Update Your PHP Version

Running an outdated PHP version (like PHP 7.2 or lower) can cause compatibility issues with modern plugins and themes. Log into your hosting control panel (cPanel or Plesk) and upgrade your PHP version to at least 8.0 or higher.

7. Check Error Logs

Your web host keeps server error logs that record every critical failure. Access your control panel to view the error logs, or check the debug.log file inside your wp-content directory if you enabled debugging earlier.

8. Reinstall WordPress Core Files

Sometimes, core WordPress files become corrupted during an update. You can safely reinstall WordPress via FTP by uploading a fresh copy of all core folders and files (excluding the wp-content folder and wp-config.php) from a fresh download of WordPress.org.

9. Restore from a Recent Backup

If you have a reliable, recent backup of your website, restoring it is often the fastest way to restore functionality. At SiteSuraksha, we always recommend maintaining automated, daily off-site backups so you can roll back instantly when things go wrong.

10. Check for Database Corruption

A damaged database can also lead to critical errors. You can check and repair your database by logging into phpMyAdmin, selecting your WordPress database, scrolling to the bottom, and selecting “Repair table” from the With selected dropdown menu.

11. Clear Your Cache

Cached versions of broken pages can sometimes trap you in an error loop. Clear your server-side cache, CDN cache (like Cloudflare), and browser cache to ensure you are viewing the live version of your site.

12. Review Recent Changes

Did you recently install a new plugin, update a theme, or tweak code in functions.php? Retrace your steps. Reverting the most recent change is often the quickest fix.

13. Scan for Malware and Security Breaches

Unidentified critical errors can sometimes be the result of a malicious code injection or a hacked website. Running a thorough security audit will help ensure your site hasn’t been compromised.

14. Check File Permissions

Incorrect file permissions can block WordPress from executing necessary files. Standard permissions are 755 for folders and directories, and 644 for files.

15. Contact Your Hosting Provider

If you have tried all the steps above and the error persists, the issue might be related to server configuration, database connectivity, or resource limitations on your hosting provider’s end. Reach out to their support team for assistance.

Secure and Maintain Your WordPress Site with SiteSuraksha

Troubleshooting critical errors can be stressful and time-consuming. Prevent future downtime and keep your website secure, updated, and fully optimized around the clock with SiteSuraksha’s professional WordPress maintenance and security services. Let our experts handle the technical heavy lifting while you focus on growing your business.