There are several ways to troubleshoot and fix the “The site is experiencing technical difficulties” error in WordPress. Depending on the cause of the error, some methods may work better than others. Here are six steps you can try to resolve the issue:
Step 1: Check Your Email for Recovery Mode Link
As we mentioned earlier, WordPress may send an email to the site administrator with more details about the error and a link to access the site in recovery mode. Recovery mode is a feature that temporarily disables the plugin or theme that caused the error, so you can log in to your site and fix the problem. If you received such an email, you can click on the link and enter your site in recovery mode. You will see a message like this,Recovery mode Recovery mode message You can then go to your WordPress dashboard and deactivate or delete the faulty plugin or theme. You can also update or reinstall it if you think that might solve the issue.
If you didn’t receive an email from WordPress, or the recovery mode link didn’t work, you can move on to the next step.
Step 2: Enable Debug Mode
If you don’t know what plugin or theme is causing the error, you can try to enable debug mode in WordPress. Debug mode is a setting that displays any PHP errors on your site, instead of showing the generic “The site is experiencing technical difficulties” message.
To enable debug mode, you need to access your site’s files via FTP or File Manager in your hosting account. Then, you need to locate and edit the wp-config.php file, which is usually in the root folder of your site.
Open the file and look for this line:
define( ‘WP_DEBUG’, false ); Change it to:
define( ‘WP_DEBUG’, true ); Save and upload the file back to your server. Then, refresh your site and see if there is any error message that tells you which plugin or theme is causing the problem.
For example, you may see something like this,fatal error Fatal error message This tells you that the error is caused by a plugin called “Example Plugin”. You can then disable or delete that plugin using one of the methods below.
Step 3: Deactivate Plugins via FTP or File Manager
If you can’t access your WordPress dashboard, you can deactivate plugins via FTP or File Manager. This can help you identify and remove the plugin that is causing the error. To do this, you need to access your site’s files via FTP or File Manager and go to wp-content/plugins folder. There, you will see all the plugins installed on your site. You can rename each plugin folder one by one, by adding something like “-disabled” at the end of the folder name. For example, if you have a plugin called “example-plugin”, you can rename it to “example-plugin-disabled”. This will deactivate the plugin on your site. You can then refresh your site and see if the error is gone. If it is, then you have found the culprit plugin. You can delete it or contact its developer for support. If the error persists, you can rename the plugin folder back to its original name and repeat the process with another plugin until you find the one that is causing the issue.
Alternatively, you can deactivate all plugins at once by renaming the entire plugins folder to something like “plugins-disabled”. This will disable all plugins on your site. You can then refresh your site and see if the error is gone.
If it is, then you know that one of your plugins is causing the problem. You can then rename the plugins folder back to “plugins” and reactivate each plugin one by one until you find
How to reinstall a plugin or theme in WordPress?
Reinstalling a plugin or theme in WordPress can be a useful way to fix some issues or reset some changes. There are different methods to do this, depending on your situation and preference. Here are some of the common methods:
- Using the WordPress admin panel: This is the easiest method if you have access to your WordPress dashboard. You can simply deactivate and delete the plugin or theme you want to reinstall, and then install and activate it again from the plugin or themes page. You can also use a plugin like Force Reinstall to make this process easier.
- Using FTP or File Manager: This method requires some technical skills, but it can be helpful if you can’t access your WordPress dashboard. You can use an FTP software or File Manager in your hosting account to access your site’s files and folders. You can then locate the plugin or theme folder you want to reinstall and either rename it or delete it. Then, you can upload the plugin or theme zip file to the same location and extract it.
- Using WP-CLI: This method is for advanced users who are comfortable with using command-line interface. You can use WP-CLI, a tool that lets you manage WordPress from the command line, to reinstall a plugin or theme with a simple command. For example, to reinstall a plugin called “example-plugin”, you can use this command.
WordPress plugin install example-plugin –force
The –force flag will overwrite the existing plugin files with the latest version. For more details and instructions on how to reinstall a plugin or theme in WordPress, you can check out these web search results I found for you:
- Force Reinstall – Word Press plugin | WordPress.org
- How to Reinstall WordPress Plugins • Themify
- How to Reinstall WordPress: 5 Different Methods for All Needs
I hope this helps you with your website technical issues. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask me.
Plugin or theme not working after reinstalling WordPress?
There are a few possible reasons why a plugin or theme may not work properly after reinstalling, such as:
- The plugin or theme is incompatible with your WordPress version, PHP version, or other plugin or themes on your site.
- The plugin or theme has a bug or a conflict that prevents it from functioning correctly.
- The plugin or theme settings or options are not configured properly for your site.
- The plugin or theme files are corrupted or missing some components.
To troubleshoot and fix the issue, you can try the following steps:
Check the plugin or theme documentation and support forums for any known issues or solutions. You can also contact the plugin or theme developer directly for assistance. Disable all other plugin and switch to a default WordPress theme to see if the issue is caused by a compatibility problem. If the plugin or theme works fine, then you can reactivate the other plugin and themes one by one to find the culprit. Reset the plugin or theme settings to their default values and see if that resolves the issue. You can also try to delete and reinstall the plugin or theme again, making sure to follow the installation instructions carefully. Scan your site for malware or viruses that may have infected your plugin or theme files. You can use a security plugin like Wordfence or Sucuri to do this.
Restore your site from a backup that was taken before the issue occurred. This can help you revert any changes that may have caused the problem.
Web search results
- How to Fix WordPress Plugins or Theme Errors – Hostinger
- Update a Plugin or Theme – WordPress.com Support
- 7 Reasons Why Your WordPress Plugins or Themes Won’t Install
What are common security issues in WordPress and How to prevent them?
WordPress is a popular and powerful content management system, but it also has some common security issues that you should be aware of and prevent. Here are some of the most frequent WordPress vulnerabilities and how to fix them:
Weak passwords:
One of the easiest ways for hackers to access your WordPress site is by guessing your password. To prevent this, you should use strong and unique passwords for your WordPress admin account, as well as for your database, FTP, and hosting accounts. You can also enable two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security to your login process.
Malware:
Malware is malicious software that can infect your WordPress site and cause various problems, such as redirecting your traffic, displaying spam ads, stealing your data, or even taking over your site. To prevent malware infections, you should scan your site regularly with a reputable security plugin, such as Sucuri or Wordfence. You should also backup your site frequently, so you can restore it in case of an attack.
Cross-site scripting (XSS):
XSS is a type of attack that injects malicious code into your site through user input, such as comments, forms, or search fields. The code can then execute in the browser of your visitors, compromising their security and privacy. To prevent XSS attacks, you should sanitize and validate all user input on your site, and use proper escaping and output encoding functions. You should also update your WordPress core, plugins, and themes regularly to fix any known vulnerabilities.
Outdated software, plugins, and themes:
One of the main reasons why WordPress sites get hacked is because they run on outdated software, plugins, or themes. Outdated software can contain security flaws that hackers can exploit to gain access to your site. To prevent this, you should always update your WordPress core, plugins, and themes as soon as possible. You should also delete any unused or inactive plugins or themes from your site.
Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks:
DDoS attacks are a type of attack that floods your site with a large amount of traffic, overwhelming your server and making your site slow or unavailable. To prevent DDoS attacks, you should use a reliable web hosting provider that can handle high traffic volumes and has DDoS protection features. You should also use a content delivery network (CDN), such as Cloudflare or Jetpack, to distribute your traffic across multiple servers and locations.
Structured query language (SQL) injections:
SQL injections are a type of attack that manipulates the database queries on your site, allowing hackers to access, modify, or delete your data. To prevent SQL injections, you should use prepared statements and parameterized queries when interacting with the database. You should also limit the privileges of your database user account and use a strong password for it.
Search engine optimization (SEO) spam: SEO spam is a type of attack that inserts spam links or keywords into your site content, affecting your site ranking and reputation. To prevent SEO spam, you should monitor your site regularly for any signs of spam content, such as unusual keywords, links, or redirects. You should also use a security plugin to scan and clean your site from any malware or spam injections.
HTTP instead of HTTPS:
HTTP is an insecure protocol that transmits data in plain text over the internet, making it vulnerable to interception and manipulation by hackers. HTTPS is a secure protocol that encrypts data using SSL certificates, making it safe from eavesdropping and tampering. To prevent hackers from stealing or altering your data or your visitors’ data, you should use HTTPS on your WordPress site. You can get a free SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt or from your hosting provider.
Phishing:
Phishing is a type of attack that tricks you into revealing your personal or financial information by sending you fake emails or messages that look like they come from legitimate sources, such as WordPress, your hosting provider, or a plugin developer. To prevent phishing attacks, you should always verify the sender’s identity and the URL of any links before clicking on them. You should also avoid opening any attachments or downloading any files from unknown sources.
Low-quality hosting:
Your web hosting provider plays a crucial role in the security of your WordPress site. A low-quality hosting provider can expose your site to various risks, such as poor performance, downtime, malware infections, data breaches, or even account suspension. To prevent these issues, you should choose a reputable and reliable hosting provider that offers WordPress-specific features and services, such as automatic updates, backups, security scans, SSL certificates, firewalls, and malware removal.
These are some of the most common WordPress security issues and how to prevent them. By following these tips and best practices, you can protect your WordPress site from hackers and keep it safe and secure.
Best security plugins for WordPress?
There are many WordPress security plugins available, but not all of them offer the same features and benefits. Some of the factors you should consider when choosing a security plugin are:
- The type of firewall it provides: DNS-level or application-level
- The frequency and accuracy of malware scanning and removal
- The availability and quality of customer support
- The impact on your website’s performance and speed
- The compatibility with other plugins and themes
- The price and value for money
Best WordPress security plugins are:
Sucuri:
Sucuri is a popular and trusted security plugin that offers a DNS-level firewall, security hardening, malware scanning and removal, CDN, and more. It can protect your website from various threats such as brute force attacks, DDoS attacks, XSS attacks, SQL injections, etc. Sucuri also offers to clean up your website for free if it gets hacked. Sucuri has a free version, but the paid plans start from $16.66 per month1.
WebARX:
WebARX is another powerful security plugin that offers an application-level firewall, vulnerability monitoring, malware scanning and removal, uptime monitoring, SSL certificate monitoring, and more. It can block malicious bots, hackers, spammers, and other bad actors from accessing your website. WebARX also provides detailed security reports and alerts. WebARX does not have a free version, but the paid plans start from $14.99 per month.
Wordfence: Wordfence is a comprehensive security plugin that offers security hardening, login protection, application-level firewall, malware scanning and removal, live traffic monitoring, and more. It can detect and block various types of attacks such as brute force attacks, phishing attacks, backdoor attacks, etc. Wordfence also has a large community of users and developers who provide support and feedback. Wordfence has a free version, but the paid plans start from $99 per year.
MalCare:
MalCare is a simple and effective security plugin that offers malware scanning and removal, basic firewall and hardening, login protection, backup and restore, and more. It can scan your website daily for malware and remove it with one click. MalCare also has a minimal impact on your website’s performance and speed. MalCare has a free version, but the paid plans start from $99 per year.
Cloudflare:
Cloudflare is not a plugin, but a cloud-based service that offers DNS-level security, CDN, DDoS protection, SSL encryption, caching, optimization, and more. It can improve your website’s security, speed, and reliability by routing your traffic through its global network of servers. Cloudflare also has a large user base and reputation in the industry. Cloudflare has a free plan, but the paid plans start from $20 per month.
IThemes Security:
iThemes Security is a popular security plugin that offers security hardening, login protection, malware scanning and removal, backup and restore, two-factor authentication, and more. It can help you fix common WordPress security issues and prevent hackers from exploiting them. iThemes Security also has a user-friendly interface and dashboard. iThemes Security has a free version, but the paid plans start from $80 per year.
All In One WP Security & Firewall:
All In One WP Security & Firewall is a free security plugin that offers security hardening, login protection, firewall protection, spam protection, database security, file system security, and more. It can help you improve your website’s security by applying various rules and settings. All In One WP Security & Firewall also has a security meter that shows you how secure your website is.
These are some of the best WordPress security plugins you can use to protect your website from hackers and malware. However, you should also follow other WordPress security best practices such as keeping your WordPress core, plugins, and themes updated; using strong passwords; limiting login attempts; using SSL certificates; backing up your website regularly; etc.