The dreaded white screen of death (WSOD) – a blank page instead of your WordPress website – can strike fear into the heart of any website owner. Fear not! Often, this frustrating issue stems from memory exhaustion on your WordPress site. Let’s explore the common culprits and equip you with solutions to get your website back online quickly.
Need help fixing WordPress memory issues? We can fix any WordPress problem, big or small. Contact Website Helper to get your WordPress website fixed.
Understanding the Memory Maze
WordPress, along with its plugins and themes, requires a specific amount of memory to function properly. Imagine it as your website’s workspace – if it overflows with too much stuff, things can grind to a halt. Here are the frequent memory drainers:
- Insufficient PHP Memory Limit: The amount of memory allocated to WordPress by your web host might be inadequate. This can be adjusted, but always check with your hosting provider for recommended limits.
- Memory-Guzzling Plugins or Themes: Not all plugins and themes are created equal. Bloated themes or feature-rich page builders like WPBakery Page Builder and Elementor, especially when combined with many other plugins, can be memory hogs. These can consume excessive memory or clash with other elements on your site, triggering the WSOD.
- Corrupted Core Files: In rare cases, corrupted core WordPress files can lead to memory-related errors and cause the white screen.
Learn More
Taming the Memory Monster
Now that we’ve identified the potential causes, let’s explore some solutions to banish the WSOD:
- Boosting Your PHP Memory Limit: If insufficient memory is the culprit, you can increase the PHP memory limit allocated to WordPress. This can be done by editing the wp-config.php file (consult your hosting provider for specific instructions) or by modifying your server’s PHP configuration. Here’s an example of how to adjust the memory limit in your wp-config.php file:
define( 'WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '128M' );
Remember to replace ‘128M’ with the appropriate memory limit based on your website’s needs.
By default, WordPress sets the PHP memory limit to 40MB (or 64MB for multisite installs).
- Pinpointing Problematic Plugins or Themes: If a recent plugin or theme installation coincides with the WSOD, it might be the troublemaker. Try deactivating your plugins one by one to see if the issue persists. You can also deactivate themes by logging in to your WordPress admin area via FTP.
- Examining the Error Logs: Your server’s error logs can offer valuable clues about the specific errors causing the WSOD. These logs are usually located in the server’s error log file or within the WordPress directory. Scrutinising the error messages can help you identify the source of the problem.
- Keeping Everything Up-to-Date: Outdated WordPress core files, plugins, and themes can sometimes contribute to memory-related issues. Make sure to keep your WordPress core, plugins, and themes updated to the latest versions to benefit from bug fixes and performance improvements.
- Consider a Lighter Theme or Plugin: If you’re using a particularly feature-rich theme or plugin, especially a page builder like WPBakery or Elementor with many other active plugins, explore switching to lighter alternatives. There are many high-quality, lightweight themes and plugins available that can provide the functionality you need without consuming excessive memory.
500 Internal Server Error
It’s important to note that a 500 internal server error can also sometimes indicate memory exhaustion on your WordPress site. The 500 error is a more generic message, but if it coincides with slow loading times or other performance issues, memory limitations could be the culprit.
By following these steps, you should be well-equipped to tackle the WSOD caused by memory issues on your WordPress site. Remember, if you’re unsure about any of the troubleshooting methods, don’t hesitate to consult your web hosting provider for assistance or contact us for help.