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How to Fix WordPress Plugin Errors

A bad plugin can break your site or lock you out of the dashboard. This guide shows you how to find it and get your site back.

WordPress2 min read16 steps

What is a plugin error?

A plugin is a small add-on that gives WordPress new features, like contact forms or shop tools. Sometimes a plugin has a bug. It may clash with another plugin, with your theme, or with a new WordPress version. Then you may see a white screen, an error message, or a broken page.

Warning: Take a backup of your files and database before you change anything.

If you can still log in

  1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
  2. Go to Plugins, then Installed Plugins.
  3. Tick the box at the top to select all plugins.
  4. Choose Deactivate from the bulk actions menu and click Apply.
  5. Check your site. If the error is gone, a plugin caused it.
  6. Activate the plugins one at a time. Check the site after each one.
  7. When the error returns, you have found the bad plugin.
  8. Deactivate it. Look for an update, or find a different plugin that does the same job.

If you are locked out

When the dashboard will not open, switch plugins off using files instead.

  1. Log in to your client area at https://secure.hostvento.com/clientarea.php and open your hosting control panel.
  2. Open File Manager.
  3. Go to your site folder, often public_html, then open wp-content.
  4. Right-click the plugins folder and choose Rename.
  5. Change the name to plugins-old. WordPress now sees no plugins.
  6. Try to log in to the dashboard.
  7. Rename the folder back to plugins.
  8. In the dashboard, turn plugins on one by one to find the bad one.

To test just one plugin, rename only that plugin's folder inside plugins.

Read the error message

The message often names a plugin folder, like wp-content/plugins/some-plugin. That tells you which plugin is guilty.

Other common fixes

  • Update the plugin, your theme and WordPress to their newest versions.
  • Raise the memory limit. Add define( 'WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M' ); to wp-config.php.
  • Reinstall the plugin. Delete it, then install a fresh copy from the plugin page.
  • Check PHP version. PHP is the language WordPress runs on. An old plugin may need an older version, and a new one may need a newer one.
Tip: Install only plugins you need, and only from trusted sources. If you cannot fix the problem, open a ticket at https://secure.hostvento.com/submitticket.php and tell us which plugin you suspect.

Quick recap

  • A plugin error is often a bug or a clash.
  • Deactivate all plugins, then turn them on one by one.
  • If locked out, rename the plugins folder in File Manager.
  • Keep everything updated and back up first.