How to Fix the WordPress White Screen of Death

The WordPress White Screen of Death (WSOD) can be a frustrating issue, but here are several steps to troubleshoot and potentially fix it:

1. Enable Debugging:
   • Edit the wp-config.php file in your WordPress root directory.
   • Set define('WP_DEBUG', true); to enable debugging. This will show errors and can help identify the issue.
2. Increase Memory Limit:
   • Sometimes the WSOD is due to memory exhaustion. In wp-config.php, add or modify this line: define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
3. Check for Plugin or Theme Issues:
   • Deactivate all plugins: Rename the plugins folder in wp-content to something like plugins_old. If this resolves the issue, reactivate plugins one by one to identify the culprit.
   • Switch to a default theme: Rename your current theme’s folder in wp-content/themes. WordPress will default to a standard theme like Twenty Twenty-One.
4. Review .htaccess File:
   • Rename the .htaccess file in your WordPress root directory to .htaccess_old and check if the site loads. If it does, go to Settings > Permalinks in the WordPress dashboard and save the settings to regenerate a new .htaccess file.
5. Check File Permissions:
   • Ensure that file and directory permissions are set correctly. Directories should typically be 755 and files 644.
6. Re-upload Core Files:
   • Download the latest version of WordPress from the official site and re-upload core files (excluding wp-content and wp-config.php) to your server.
7. Check for PHP Errors:
   • Review the PHP error logs on your server. They can often provide clues about what is causing the issue.
8. Contact Hosting Provider:
   • If none of the above steps work, your hosting provider may be able to offer additional assistance or identify server-related issues.

If you need more detailed guidance on any of these steps, feel free to ask!