How to fix common WordPress errors

Last updated 2026-07-30 5 min read Web Hosting

What this solves

Your WordPress site shows a white screen, 500 error, or “Error establishing a database connection.”

Open File Manager

Log in to the Client Area → your hosting → Log in to cPanel → File Manager. Work inside public_html (or your WordPress folder). Back up first — see How to create and restore backups.

cPanel File Manager for renaming plugins or .htaccess — cPanel → File Manager

White screen of death

Rename the plugins folder (e.g. to plugins-off) to disable all plugins. If the site returns, rename back and reactivate plugins one by one. Same idea for a broken theme: rename the active theme folder.

Database connection error

Check wp-config.php: DB_NAME, DB_USER, DB_PASSWORD, DB_HOST must match MySQL® Databases in cPanel. Reset the DB password there if needed and update wp-config.php.

cPanel MySQL Databases for checking WordPress database credentials — cPanel → MySQL® Databases

500 error

Rename .htaccess to .htaccess.bak and retest. Also check PHP version and see 403 / 404 / 500 errors.

Note: Always back up files and database before making changes.

When to contact support

If the error persists, open a ticket with the exact message.

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