Troubleshooting Guide: How to Fix ‘This Page Isn’t Working’ Error on wordpress

wordpress is a popular content management system used by millions of website owners around the world. However, like any other technology, wordpress is not immune to errors. One common error that users often encounter is the ‘This Page Isn’t Working’ error. This error message can be frustrating as it prevents visitors from accessing your website. In this troubleshooting guide, we will explore the possible causes of this error and provide step-by-step instructions on how to fix it. Follow the methods below to get your wordpress website up and running smoothly again.

1. Clear Your Browser Cache

Before diving into more technical troubleshooting steps, it’s essential to start with the basics. The ‘This Page Isn’t Working’ error can sometimes be caused by a cached version of your site in your browser. Clearing your browser cache can often resolve this issue. Here’s how you can do it on popular browsers:

Google Chrome

To clear the cache in Google Chrome, follow these steps:

1. Click on the three dots in the top-right corner to open the Chrome menu.
2. Select ‘More Tools’ and then ‘Clear browsing data’.
3. In the ‘Clear browsing data’ pop-up, select the ‘Cached images and files’ option.
4. Click on the ‘Clear data’ button to clear the cache.

Mozilla Firefox

If you are using Mozilla Firefox, follow these steps to clear the cache:

1. Click on the three lines in the top-right corner to open the Firefox menu.
2. Select ‘Options’ and navigate to the ‘Privacy & Security’ tab.
3. Scroll down to the ‘Cached Web Content’ section and click on the ‘Clear’ button.

2. Deactivate All Plugins

In some cases, a faulty plugin may be causing the ‘This Page Isn’t Working’ error. To identify if a plugin is the culprit, you need to deactivate them all temporarily and then check if the error persists. Follow these steps:

1. Log in to your wordpress dashboard.
2. Go to the ‘Plugins’ section and select ‘Installed Plugins’.
3. Select all the plugins by clicking on the checkbox at the top.
4. From the ‘Bulk Actions’ dropdown, choose ‘Deactivate’ and click on the ‘Apply’ button.
5. Visit your website and check if the error is resolved.
6. If the error is gone, reactivate your plugins one by one while regularly checking for the error to determine the problematic plugin.
7. Once you identify the faulty plugin, contact the plugin developer for support or find an alternative plugin.

3. Switch to a Default Theme

If deactivating plugins doesn’t fix the error, the issue may lie with your current theme. To verify this, switch to a default theme temporarily, such as Twenty Twenty or Twenty Twenty-One. Follow these steps:

1. Go to your wordpress dashboard and navigate to ‘Appearance’ → ‘Themes’.
2. Select a default theme and click on the ‘Activate’ button.
3. Visit your website and check if the error is resolved.
4. If the error disappears after switching the theme, the issue might be with your previous theme. Contact the theme developer for assistance or consider finding an alternative theme.

4. Increase Memory Limit

Inadequate memory allocation can also lead to the ‘This Page Isn’t Working’ error. By default, wordpress sets a memory limit, but if your site requires more resources, you can increase the memory limit. Here’s how:

1. Connect to your website using an FTP client or cPanel File Manager.
2. Locate the ‘wp-config.php’ file in the root folder of your wordpress installation.
3. Right-click on the file and choose ‘Edit’ (or ‘Code Edit’).
4. Add the following line of code just before the line that says ‘That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging.’:

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

Feel free to choose the desired memory limit that suits your website’s requirements, for example, ‘128M’, ‘512M’, or ‘1024M’.

Conclusion

The ‘This Page Isn’t Working’ error on wordpress can be a frustrating issue for website owners. However, by following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide, you can identify and resolve the problem causing this error. Remember to clear your browser cache, deactivate plugins, switch to a default theme, and increase the memory limit if needed. These actions will help you get your wordpress website up and running again.

FAQs

Q: How can I determine which plugin is causing the error?

A: To identify the problematic plugin, you need to deactivate all plugins temporarily and then reactivate them one by one. Check for the error after activating each plugin to pinpoint the faulty one.

Q: Will increasing the memory limit affect the performance of my website?

A: Increasing the memory limit in wordpress should be done cautiously. While it may resolve specific issues, it can also increase resource usage. It is recommended to consult with your hosting provider or a wordpress professional if you have concerns about the impact on performance.

Q: Are there any additional steps I can take to troubleshoot the error?

A: If the methods mentioned in this guide do not resolve the ‘This Page Isn’t Working’ error, you can try disabling all custom code snippets or reaching out to wordpress support forums for further assistance.