Seeing the dreaded “There has been a critical error on this website” message in WordPress can stop your heart for a second, as your site suddenly goes blank. Don’t worry; this doesn’t mean your website is gone forever. This error simply means something in your site’s code has caused WordPress to stop loading correctly.

It might sound scary, but here’s the truth: this error is one of the most common issues WordPress users face, and it’s almost always fixable, even if you’re not a developer.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what the WordPress critical error means, why it happens, and how to fix it step-by-step, all in plain language.

What does this error mean?

When you see the message “There has been a critical error on this website” in WordPress, it’s WordPress’s way of saying, “Something broke, and I had to shut down to protect your site.”

Usually, this happens when:

• A plugin or theme conflicts with your WordPress version.
• Your PHP memory limit runs out.
• There’s a bug or syntax error in a piece of custom code.
• A WordPress core file is missing or corrupted.

Instead of showing you a broken site, WordPress now shows this error message to prevent more damage.

Why You’re Seeing the “There Has Been a Critical Error on This Website” Message

Think of your WordPress site like a puzzle — each plugin, theme, and file is a piece. If one piece doesn’t fit right (maybe it’s outdated, buggy, or incompatible), the whole puzzle can break.

Here are the most common reasons this error appears:

1. Plugin Conflicts:
   Two plugins trying to do the same thing or one not updated for your version of WordPress.
2. Theme Issues:
   A broken or outdated theme function can crash your site, especially after WordPress updates.
3. PHP Version Incompatibility:
   If your hosting server runs an older or newer version of PHP than your plugins/themes expect.
4. Corrupted Core Files:
   This can happen during a failed update or manual file edit.
5. Server or Memory Limit Problems:
   Your site might simply be running out of memory to process requests.

How to Fix the WordPress Critical Error (Step-by-Step)

Let’s roll up our sleeves. These steps will walk you through diagnosing and fixing the WordPress critical error safely, even if you can’t access your dashboard.

1. Enable WordPress Debug Mode

This is your first step to see what’s actually causing the issue.

1. Connect to your website files via FTP like Filezilla/SCP or your hosting File Manager.
2. Locate your wp-config.php file in the root folder.
3. Add or modify these lines of code:

define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );

define( 'WP_DEBUG_LOG', true );

define( 'WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false );

Save the file and reload your site.

WordPress will now log the specific error in a file called debug.log inside the /wp-content folder. This file will often point you to the plugin, theme, or file causing the issue.

2. Deactivate All Plugins

If the error started after activating or updating a plugin, this is the likely culprit.

Since you can’t access the admin area:

1. Use FTP or your File Manager.
2. Go to the /wp-content/ folder and rename the plugins folder to something like plugins-deactivated.
3. Reload your site, and if it works, you’ve confirmed it’s a plugin conflict.
4. Rename the folder back to plugins, then go in and rename each plugin folder one by one until the site breaks again.
   The last one you renamed before your site breaks again is your troublemaker.

3. Switch to a Default Theme

If plugins aren’t the problem, your theme might be.

1. Go to /wp-content/themes/.
2. Rename your active theme’s folder.
3. WordPress will automatically switch to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Five.

If your site starts working, it means your theme was causing the WordPress critical error. You can reinstall or replace it with an updated version.

4. Check Your PHP Version

Your hosting provider might be running an outdated or incompatible version of PHP.
To check this:

• Log into your hosting dashboard (like cPanel or Plesk).
• Look for PHP Version under your settings.
• WordPress currently recommends PHP 8.0 or higher.

If you see anything older, update it or contact your host to switch to the latest compatible php version.

5. Increase the PHP Memory Limit

Sometimes the problem isn’t with code — your site just runs out of room to breathe.

You can increase your WordPress memory limit by adding this line to wp-config.php:

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

Save and refresh your site. This often fixes the “critical error” instantly.

6. Reinstall WordPress Core Files

If nothing else works, your WordPress core files might be corrupted. Don’t worry — reinstalling doesn’t delete your content.

1. Download a fresh copy of WordPress from wordpress.org.
2. Unzip it on your computer.
3. Upload only the wp-admin and wp-includes folders via FTP, replacing the old ones.

This restores all the default files that make WordPress run properly.

How to Prevent “There Has Been a Critical Error on this website” from Happening Again

Now that your site’s back online, let’s make sure this doesn’t happen again.

Here’s what to do going forward:

1. Keep WordPress, plugins, and themes updated. Outdated software is the #1 cause of critical errors.
2. Use reliable plugins only. Avoid poorly rated or abandoned plugins.
3. Create regular backups. Tools like UpdraftPlus or your hosting backup system can save your site before things go wrong.
4. Test updates on a staging site. Many hosts let you create a safe copy of your site for testing.
5. Choose quality hosting. A good host keeps your site stable, secure, and compatible with the latest PHP versions.

When to Call in an Expert

If you’ve tried everything and your site still shows the WordPress critical error, it might be time to call in help. Sometimes the issue is deep in the server configuration or hidden in custom code.

Pro tip: Don’t spend hours panicking, an expert can usually spot and fix the cause in no time.

At wpsaul, we’ve helped hundreds of site owners troubleshoot, repair, and secure their WordPress websites, all while keeping your data and design safe.

Get professional WordPress help from wpsaul, and get your site running smoothly again.

Final Thoughts

The error “There has been a critical error on this website” might look intimidating, but it’s almost always fixable with a bit of patience and methodical troubleshooting. Whether it’s a plugin conflict, a theme bug, or a simple memory limit issue, following the steps above can get your website back online fast.

And if you ever feel stuck, wpsaul is always here to help you fix, maintain, and protect your WordPress site so you can focus on what you do best — running your business.

FAQs

What does “There has been a critical error on this website” mean in WordPress?
It means a plugin, theme, or code error has caused WordPress to stop running properly. It’s WordPress’s way of protecting your site from a full crash.

Can I fix the WordPress critical error myself?
Yes, most of the time! Follow the steps in this guide to identify the problem and restore your site.

Will I lose my content when fixing the critical error?
No. Your posts, pages, and media stay safe in the database. Just be careful not to delete important files during troubleshooting.

How can I prevent this error from happening again?
Keep everything updated, avoid sketchy plugins, and back up your site regularly.