The “There has been a critical error on this website” message is one of the most frustrating problems WordPress users face. It locks you out of your website and prevents visitors from accessing your content. Luckily, this error is usually easy to identify and fix once you know the cause.
In this guide, I’ll explain why this error happens and how to fix it quickly, even if you’re not a developer.
What Causes the Critical Error?
This error usually appears when WordPress encounters a fatal PHP error. The most common causes include:
✔️ Plugin conflicts
A newly installed or updated plugin may be incompatible with your current WordPress version or theme.
✔️ Theme issues
A faulty theme file or a bad update can break your entire site.
✔️ PHP version mismatch
Some plugins require PHP 8+, while your hosting may still be on 7.4.
✔️ Memory limit exhaustion
If your website hits PHP memory limits, it can crash.
✔️ Corrupted core files
Especially after failed WordPress updates.
How to Fix the Critical Error in WordPress (Step-by-Step)
Follow the steps below in order. One of them will fix your issue.
1. Enable WordPress Debug Mode
This reveals the real cause of the error.
- Connect to your site via FTP or hosting File Manager
- Open wp-config.php
- Add or modify this line:
Next time you load the site, WordPress will display the exact error message, helping you find the problem plugin or file.
2. Disable All Plugins
Since plugin conflicts are the #1 cause, disable all plugins at once:
- Go to
wp-content/plugins - Rename the folder to:
plugins-disabled
WordPress will auto-disable all plugins.
If your site works again → a plugin is the problem.
Then:
- Restore folder name to
plugins - Disable plugins one-by-one until the error returns
3. Switch to a Default Theme
If plugins aren’t the issue, try switching themes.
- Open
wp-content/themes/ - Rename your active theme folder (e.g.,
hello-elementor-disabled) - WordPress automatically falls back to a default theme (e.g., TwentyTwentyFive)
If the site loads → the theme is the cause.
4. Increase PHP Memory Limit
Add this inside wp-config.php:
define( 'WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M' );
Many hosts set low limits like 64M — too small for modern websites.
5. Update PHP Version
Go to your hosting control panel → PHP settings → set version to:
PHP 8.1 or PHP 8.2
Almost all major plugins require PHP 8+ in 2025.
6. Reinstall WordPress Core Files
If nothing works:
- Download a fresh WordPress copy from wordpress.org
- Upload everything except
/wp-content - Overwrite old files on the server
Don’t worry — this won’t affect your content.
Preventing the Critical Error in the Future
Once your site is fixed, follow these tips:
- Keep plugins updated weekly
- Avoid nulled plugins/themes
- Backup your site regularly
- Enable auto-updates for minor WordPress versions
- Use a reputable caching plugin
- Keep PHP updated
Final Thoughts
The WordPress critical error looks scary, but it’s usually easy to fix if you know where to look.
By checking plugins, themes, memory limits, and PHP versions, you can restore your site quickly — often in just a few minutes.
If you still see the error after trying everything, it’s usually caused by a corrupted plugin or a server misconfiguration, and your hosting provider can help.