> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kb.hostcloud.in/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Fix a white screen or 500 error in WordPress

> Find and fix the plugin, theme or setting that's crashing your WordPress site.

A blank white page, "There has been a critical error on this website", or **500 Internal Server Error** usually means a plugin, theme or setting is causing PHP to crash. This guide shows you how to find the cause and fix it.

> [!TIP]
>
> Did it break right after you changed something, such as updating a plugin? Undo that change first. It's the most likely cause.

## 1. Check your email

WordPress often emails the site's admin address when a plugin or theme crashes. The email names the cause and includes a link to log in using recovery mode, where you can turn off the problem plugin or theme.

## 2. Find the error message

**1. Check the error log**

[Log in to cPanel](/cpanel/log-in-to-cpanel.md) and open **Errors**. The most recent errors appear at the top. Look for a mention of `wp-content/plugins/` or `wp-content/themes/`. The folder name after it is usually the cause.

**2. Or turn on debugging**

In **File Manager**, open `wp-config.php` and find `define( 'WP_DEBUG', false );`. Change it to:

```php theme={null}
define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );
define( 'WP_DEBUG_LOG', true );
define( 'WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false );
```

Reload your site, then open `wp-content/debug.log` to read the error.

> [!WARNING]
>
> Turn debugging off again when you're done, by setting `WP_DEBUG` back to `false` and deleting `debug.log`. The log can reveal details about your site.

## 3. Turn off all plugins

If you can't find the cause, turn off every plugin at once:

**1. Rename the plugins folder**

In **File Manager**, go to `public_html/wp-content/` and rename the `plugins` folder to `plugins-off`.

**2. Check your site**

If your site now works, a plugin was the cause. Rename the folder back to `plugins`.

**3. Find the plugin**

Log in to WordPress, go to **Plugins**, and activate them one at a time, checking your site after each. When it breaks again, you've found the cause. Delete that plugin, or look for an update or replacement.

## 4. Switch to a default theme

If plugins weren't the cause, the theme may be. In **File Manager**, go to `wp-content/themes/` and rename your current theme's folder. WordPress falls back to a default theme, such as Twenty Twenty-Five, if one is installed.

## 5. Check PHP version and memory

* **PHP version:** a theme or plugin may not support your PHP version. In cPanel, open **Select PHP Version** and try the version it supports.
* **Memory limit:** "Allowed memory size exhausted" in the error means PHP ran out of memory. Raise `memory_limit` on the **Options** tab of **Select PHP Version**.

See [Change your PHP version and settings](/cpanel/change-php-version.md).

## 6. Reset the .htaccess file

A damaged `.htaccess` file can cause 500 errors. In **File Manager**, turn on **Show Hidden Files** in **Settings**, then rename `.htaccess` in `public_html` to `.htaccess-old`. If your site works, log in to WordPress and go to **Settings → Permalinks**, then click **Save Changes** to create a fresh file.

## Still broken?

Restore your files and database from a daily backup with **Backuply**. See [Restore and download backups](/cpanel/take-and-restore-backups.md). Or [open a Technical Support ticket](/support/open-a-ticket.md) with your domain name and the error message.


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