Fixing the “There Has Been a Critical Error on This Website” WordPress Issue

What Does the “Critical Error” in WordPress Mean?

You load your WordPress site, and instead of your homepage you’re hit with the alarming message:

“There has been a critical error on this website.”

This isn’t just frustrating it’s a site-breaking issue. But don’t worry in this guide by Muhammad Tanzeel Ur Rehman of MT Web Experts, we’ll walk you through exactly what causes this error and how to fix it, even if you’re not a developer.

You’ll also find relevant links to our other helpful tutorials like how to fix database connection errors and how to duplicate WordPress pages safely.

Why You’re Seeing This Error

This WordPress error usually means that something fatal happened during execution. Common culprits include:

• Faulty plugin or theme
• PHP version incompatibility
• Exhausted memory limit
• Corrupted core files
• Database connection problems
• Missing or incorrect file permissions

Step-by-Step: How to Fix “There Has Been a Critical Error on This Website”

1. Enable WordPress Debug Mode

This reveals the exact cause of the error.

1. Access your site’s files via cPanel or FTP
2. Open wp-config.php
3. Add or update the following:

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

Reload your site

Now check the wp-content/debug.log file it will usually mention the file and line where the issue occurred.

2. Deactivate All Plugins

A corrupt plugin can often crash your site.

• Rename the /wp-content/plugins/ folder to something like /plugins_backup/
• Refresh your site
• If it loads, one of the plugins is the issue
• Rename the folder back and reactivate plugins one by one

💡 Read our post on duplicating WordPress pages to learn how to clone working layouts before editing.

3. Switch to a Default Theme

Themes can cause fatal errors if not updated or coded properly.

1. Navigate to /wp-content/themes/
2. Rename your current theme folder (e.g., astra-old)
3. WordPress will default to Twenty Twenty-Four or another standard theme
4. If the site loads, your theme was the problem

4. Check PHP Version Compatibility

Some plugins/themes require PHP 8.0+, while others break with it.

• Go to cPanel > Select PHP Version
• Try downgrading or upgrading PHP
• Refresh your site after each change

5. Increase PHP Memory Limit

Exhausted memory can lead to fatal execution errors.

In wp-config.php, add:

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

Also update .htaccess or php.ini if possible:

memory_limit = 256M

6. Restore a Recent Backup

If you have a backup before the error occurred, restore it via your hosting control panel or plugin.

If you don’t consider setting up a system like UpdraftPlus after recovery.

📚 Also read: How to Install WordPress on Amazon Linux 2 – Step-by-Step

7. Reinstall WordPress Core Files

Sometimes your core files might be corrupted. Here’s how to fix them:

1. Download the latest WordPress version from wordpress.org
2. Extract it on your computer
3. Upload everything except wp-content and wp-config.php via FTP
4. Overwrite existing files

How to Prevent the Critical Error in the Future

• Always test plugin/theme updates on a staging site
• Keep backups (weekly minimum)
• Use a managed hosting plan
• Install a firewall/security plugin (e.g., Wordfence or iThemes Security)
• Monitor site health via tools like Jetpack or SiteGround Optimizer

💡 If you’re struggling with content visibility, explore our article on untold truths of WordPress blogging

When to Contact Your Host

If you:

• Can’t access files via FTP
• Have multiple sites showing the same error
• Can’t determine the root cause from logs

… then it’s time to reach out to your web host. They may have server-level logs or automated recovery tools.

Final Thoughts

The dreaded “There has been a critical error on this website” message can be intimidating — but with a systematic approach, it’s often a quick fix.

With this guide from MT Web Experts, authored by Muhammad Tanzeel Ur Rehman, you’re now equipped with both knowledge and tools to handle it confidently.

Explore more of our helpful WordPress resources:

• WordPress vs. Squarespace
• How to Fix Database Connection Errors

📩 Need hands-on help? Reach out to MT Web Experts for site recovery, setup, or optimization.