What problem are you experiencing?
Find your symptom, then follow the available guide.
Choose the right procedure
File and server operations mainly concern WordPress on your own hosting. On WordPress.com, the available tools depend on your plan and account permissions. A store, multisite network or external integration also requires checking the components involved.
Start by recording the failing address, exact message and last known change. Before making any changes, prepare a restorable backup and a rollback plan.
Installation and environment
Install WordPress in a compatible environment: folders, permissions, PHP and initial configuration. Identify blockers before changing the server.
- Read the guide →
The site displays the installation wizard even though it already contained posts.
self-hosted; check the database and prefix before any reinstallation
- Read the guide →
The server does not meet the PHP or MySQL/MariaDB requirements.
self-hosted; WordPress.com manages the environment on its platform
- Read the guide →
Installation stops because the destination folder is not writable.
self-hosted; server file permissions
- Read the guide →
The browser downloads a PHP file instead of displaying the site.
self-hosted; PHP engine configuration by the host
- Read the guide →
WordPress is installed in a subfolder and the homepage is at the wrong address.
self-hosted; installation and site/WordPress addresses
- Read the guide →
The theme or plugin installation menus are missing on WordPress.com.
WordPress.com; check the current plan, role and features
- Read the guide →
The account belongs to WordPress.com but cannot open the administration interface of the self-hosted installation.
moving from WordPress.com to a self-hosted installation; separate accounts unless an explicit login mechanism connects them
- Read the guide →
WordPress form values are truncated with an “Input variables exceeded” warning.
self-hosted; effective max_input_vars, actual request and separate multipart limits; settings imposed on a managed platform
- Read the guide →
After migration, PHP rejects a path with “open_basedir restriction in effect”.
self-hosted and managed platform; obsolete paths, effective PHP configuration and targeted domain permission, distinct from permissions or the upload temporary directory
- Read the guide →
The WordPress domain displays an “Index of /” listing instead of the homepage.
document root, entry file and DirectoryIndex/index selection; remove the listing while distinguishing direct-file protection from WordPress recovery
- Read the guide →
WP-CLI fails with a different PHP: correct the terminal context
Authorised CLI access; web PHP is distinct from terminal or scheduler PHP.
- Read the guide →
Changed SSH fingerprint: restore SFTP access to WordPress after verification
Authorised SFTP/SSH access; server identity independently verified before targeted replacement of trust.
- Read the guide →
WP-CLI loads a different WordPress installation or the wrong subsite.
Check the server, folder, database, alias and multisite context before a command; distinct from choosing the PHP engine.
- Read the guide →
Theme installation is refused because style.css is missing from the package.
Distinguish a plugin, outer delivery package and incomplete theme; select the installable ZIP, check the directory tree and preserve existing files.
- Read the guide →
The first-installation wizard appears on an existing WordPress site or reports “Already Installed” for a new destination.
Root and database actually read, prefix, siteurl, recovery of a copy and intermittent redirect.
Site unavailable and server errors
Identify errors that prevent the site from responding: critical error, database, blank screen and server timeouts. Choose the diagnosis suited to the observed message.
- Read the guide →
The site displays a critical error and no recovery email arrives.
self-hosted; diagnosis handled by WordPress.com on its platform
- Read the guide →
A blank page replaces the site without an error message.
self-hosted; diagnosis handled by WordPress.com on its platform
- Read the guide →
An HTTP 500 error appears on every page.
self-hosted; diagnosis handled by WordPress.com on its platform
- Read the guide →
A 502 error occurs between the proxy and the origin server.
self-hosted; diagnosis handled by WordPress.com on its platform
- Read the guide →
A 503 error makes the site intermittently unavailable.
self-hosted; diagnosis handled by WordPress.com on its platform
- Read the guide →
A request ends with a 504 error after a long wait.
self-hosted; diagnosis handled by WordPress.com on its platform
- Read the guide →
The site displays an error establishing a database connection.
self-hosted; diagnosis handled by WordPress.com on its platform
- Read the guide →
A PHP memory error appears during a specific action.
self-hosted; diagnosis handled by WordPress.com on its platform
- Read the guide →
A 403 error blocks a public path that should be allowed.
self-hosted; diagnosis handled by WordPress.com on its platform
- Read the guide →
The server rejects requests with a 429 error.
self-hosted; diagnosis handled by WordPress.com on its platform
- Read the guide →
WordPress displays “Cannot modify header information — headers already sent” after premature PHP output.
self-hosted; output origin, file encoding and redirect order; provider intervention on a managed platform
- Read the guide →
A search or bulk action fails with HTTP 414: URI too long.
self-hosted; request, component and proxy/server limits; WordPress.com: server settings through the service
- Read the guide →
A site request is rejected with “431 Request Header Fields Too Large”.
both platforms; header size, targeted cookies and rejection layer; server settings restricted to the service administrator
- Read the guide →
A WordPress response fails HTTP decoding despite sometimes returning status 200.
Self-hosted WordPress or a managed service with support; browser, WordPress cache, PHP, web server and CDN.
- Read the guide →
The WordPress log is not created: find where errors are going
Self-hosted WordPress or managed platform according to access; targeted diagnosis without broadly disabling protection.
- Read the guide →
Cloudflare returns 525 or 526 during the TLS connection to the WordPress server.
WordPress site proxied through Cloudflare: origin TLS negotiation and certificate. Excludes Gateway and Workers subrequests.
- Read the guide →
Cloudflare displays 524 during a WordPress import or export without indicating whether processing continues.
Diagnose processing after the proxy disconnects, controlled resumption and split exports; do not confuse status 524 with a 504 error, or a disconnected screen with a confirmed stop.
Login, accounts and permissions
Regain reliable WordPress access: password, login loop, accounts and permissions. Distinguish an authentication problem from insufficient permissions.
- Read the guide →
A forgotten password prevents access to the dashboard.
both platforms; details depend on the administrator
- Read the guide →
The reset link is invalid or expired.
both platforms; details depend on the administrator
- Read the guide →
Logging in immediately returns to the form without opening the administration interface.
both platforms; details depend on the administrator
- Read the guide →
A message reports blocked cookies or cookies that cannot be saved.
both platforms; details depend on the administrator
- Read the guide →
The session repeatedly closes while writing.
both platforms; details depend on the administrator
- Read the guide →
A permissions error appears despite a role that should allow the action.
both platforms; details depend on the administrator
- Read the guide →
The user cannot upload files with their current role.
both platforms; details depend on the administrator
- Read the guide →
The wrong author name appears on posts.
both platforms; details depend on the administrator
- Read the guide →
Access to a site is missing from the signed-in account’s site list.
WordPress.com or multisite network; account and site context
- Read the guide →
A WordPress application password receives a 401 rejection, or its access needs to be revoked precisely.
self-hosted WordPress; authorised account, native API and HTTPS; check network scope in multisite
- Read the guide →
Wordfence 2FA codes are rejected or the phone has been lost.
Wordfence Security already installed; second factor for the local WordPress account, according to permissions and network policy.
- Read the guide →
New WordPress sessions need a limited duration on shared computers.
Explicit native cookie duration policy for all relevant accounts and contexts; not an inactivity timeout, a login-loop repair or automatic revocation of old sessions.
- Read the guide →
A former collaborator retains Manage Team member access in cPanel.
cPanel team owner, handover, reversible suspension and possible deletion; associated services and independent identities examined separately. Distinct from a WordPress user or administrator.
Updates and plugins
Identify blocked updates, persistent maintenance mode and plugin conflicts. Prepare a backup before changing files.
- Read the guide →
The site remains in maintenance mode after an interrupted update.
self-hosted; managed features depend on WordPress.com
- Read the guide →
The update reports that another update is already in progress.
self-hosted; managed features depend on WordPress.com
- Read the guide →
An update download fails because WordPress.org cannot be reached.
self-hosted; managed features depend on WordPress.com
- Read the guide →
WordPress requests FTP credentials for an operation that normally works directly.
self-hosted; file ownership and permissions
- Read the guide →
Installing a plugin ZIP reports an invalid archive.
self-hosted; managed features depend on WordPress.com
- Read the guide →
Installing a theme ZIP reports a missing stylesheet.
self-hosted; managed features depend on WordPress.com
- Read the guide →
A plugin refuses to activate because of PHP or WordPress incompatibility.
self-hosted; managed features depend on WordPress.com
- Read the guide →
A feature stops working after two plugins are updated.
self-hosted; managed features depend on WordPress.com
- Read the guide →
A modification to the parent theme disappears after it is updated.
a directly modified custom theme; file access depends on hosting
- Read the guide →
A plugin cannot be deactivated or remains loaded: dependency, network activation or MU-plugin.
self-hosted and multisite; component responsible for loading and file access; platform components through their administrator
- Read the guide →
DISALLOW_FILE_MODS or a file policy hides WordPress installation and update commands.
maintenance policy, PHP booleans, file_mod_allowed filter and network; retain the restriction when deployment is managed, distinguishing account permissions from write failures
- Read the guide →
The WordPress database schema update is requested repeatedly.
Self-hosted WordPress core; native process, WP-CLI and hosting provider, with a controlled multisite variant.
- Read the guide →
After deployment, PHP still executes an old version of the WordPress code.
PHP code actually executed after deployment, distinct from HTML cache; web configuration and authorised operational access.
- Read the guide →
After a security update, the dashboard, notification or hosting panel report different WordPress versions.
Identify the active installation, record the version and check files followed by production features.
- Read the guide →
A plugin update fails because WordPress cannot move the old version to upgrade-temp-backup.
Moving the old version, source and temporary folders, targeted file restoration and a second attempt.
- Read the guide →
A WordPress plugin retains English strings despite a language pack being present.
Distinguish account locale, site locale, request language, text domain and PHP or JavaScript translations.
Editor, blocks and saving
Diagnose WordPress editor errors: JSON response, invalid block, saving and revisions. Preserve content before testing.
- Read the guide →
Saving fails with an invalid JSON response.
both platforms; specify whether the theme is block-based or classic
- Read the guide →
The editor stays blank while the public site works.
both platforms; specify whether the theme is block-based or classic
- Read the guide →
The Publish or Update button does not respond.
both platforms; specify whether the theme is block-based or classic
- Read the guide →
A block displays unexpected or invalid content.
both platforms; specify whether the theme is block-based or classic
- Read the guide →
A block can no longer be moved or deleted because it is locked.
both platforms; specify whether the theme is block-based or classic
- Read the guide →
Text pasted from a word processor retains unwanted formatting.
both platforms; specify whether the theme is block-based or classic
- Read the guide →
A third-party block is no longer available after its plugin is deactivated.
both platforms; specify whether the theme is block-based or classic
- Read the guide →
A database error prevents a new post from being created.
symptom possible on both; SQL investigation requires appropriate administrator access
- Read the guide →
A recent version of a draft was overwritten by mistake.
both platforms; specify whether the theme is block-based or classic
- Read the guide →
Simultaneous changes by several authors cause an editing conflict.
both platforms; specify whether the theme is block-based or classic
- Read the guide →
rest_no_route in WordPress: correct the API address and method
Self-hosted WordPress or managed platform according to access; targeted diagnosis without broadly disabling protection.
- Read the guide →
rest_invalid_param in WordPress: correct the data sent to the API
Self-hosted WordPress or managed platform according to access; targeted diagnosis without broadly disabling protection.
- Read the guide →
The block toolbar or sidebar settings have disappeared from the WordPress editor.
Native block editor. Check selection, panels, preferences and account display modes.
- Read the guide →
An old post or page needs to move from classic content to editable blocks while preserving its elements.
Classic content opened in the block editor. Check links, media, plugin components and rollback through revisions.
- Read the guide →
WordPress search does not find a public custom field value.
Native search, explicit selection of public keys in Relevanssi and checks on excluded data.
- Read the guide →
An ACF field group is missing from the expected editing screen.
Preferences, account, location and loaded ACF definition; existing values and keys preserved.
- Read the guide →
A WordPress form’s labels, instructions or errors do not explain what to enter.
WPForms settings and CF7 markup, label association and synthetic error tests.
- Read the guide →
Saving an Elementor page receives an HTTP 403 response.
Writing in an already open editor: session and permissions, control snippet, contributing rule and firewall blocking event.
- Read the guide →
The two records in an ACF relationship do not retain the expected reciprocal references.
Target configuration, cardinality, permissions, raw comparison and historical backfill using approved pairs.
- Read the guide →
The reviewer does not receive the expected notification after a WordPress post is submitted.
Native queue, status transition, editorial rule, recipients and notification receipt; does not address the WP-045 editing lock.
- Read the guide →
A correction to a published post needs review before replacing its public version.
Manual proposal or PublishPress Revisions queue, submission/rejection/approval; public post and history preserved.
- Read the guide →
After AI translation, a WordPress post displays incorrect links or altered blocks.
Compare markup, repair links and blocks on a copy, and restore the last healthy version.
- Read the guide →
A Pods block displays an empty value or the value from another WordPress record.
Compare the field’s technical name, current record and explicit targeting using two control records.
- Read the guide →
An AI-suggested WordPress link contains a ping attribute that may trigger a tracking request on click.
Compare the link’s HTML and destination, isolate unexpected tracking on a copy, then check the link after correction.
- Read the guide →
After an AI-suggested HTML change, the button remains clickable but disappears from keyboard navigation.
Compare HTML and Tab/Shift+Tab navigation, remove the added tabindex without losing the visual change, then verify rollback.
- Read the guide →
After pasting, a footnote number remains visible but its reference or return link no longer works.
Distinguish superscript, manual link and native reference, then restore and test both journeys.
- Read the guide →
A quotation pasted into WordPress inherits the language or text direction of its surroundings.
Check the document language, passage language and direction in the DOM, then correct on a copy.
Publishing, organisation and content
Check posts, pages, categories and publication dates. Find missing content and understand settings that change its display.
- Read the guide →
A published post does not appear on the blog page.
both platforms
- Read the guide →
A private or password-protected page is invisible to the intended visitors.
both platforms
- Read the guide →
The homepage shows the latest posts instead of the chosen page.
both platforms
- Read the guide →
The page assigned to posts does not display its edited content.
both platforms
- Read the guide →
A scheduled post remains marked as having missed its schedule.
both platforms; distinguish the trigger mechanism from managed support
- Read the guide →
The publication time is shifted by the time zone.
both platforms
- Read the guide →
A category or tag displays unexpected content.
both platforms
- Read the guide →
A deleted post needs to be recovered without restoring the whole site.
both platforms
- Read the guide →
The author is unsure whether to create a post, create a page or choose a template to achieve the intended content and layout.
WordPress posts, pages and templates. Distinguish shared layout, Reading settings and access through navigation.
- Read the guide →
A WordPress draft publishes with one category but fails when a specific category is selected.
Isolate the term and distinguish a missing or invalid value from a targeted denial of the assignment capability.
- Read the guide →
A static WordPress export completes but the public domain still serves the old version or an incorrect page.
Compare source, package and destination; local preview, publication target and rollback to a previous version.
- Read the guide →
A single WordPress post displays the wrong byline, while the others must retain their author.
Distinguish post attribution from the public name and byline block, correct it, then check a control post.
- Read the guide →
The main RSS feed publishes the full text when subscribers should receive a summary.
Check two posts’ RSS2 fields, distinguish the global setting from the manual excerpt, and verify public text after restoration.
- Read the guide →
A sticky post appears at the top of the blog but remains absent from a list built with a Query Loop.
Compare the native index and loop; check its filter, ordering and result count.
Themes, templates and styles
Examine WordPress themes, templates, styles and customisations. Distinguish a display setting from an incompatibility or modified file.
- Read the guide →
The Appearance menu does not offer the expected Site Editor.
both platforms; distinguish block themes from classic themes
- Read the guide →
A header change affects several pages instead of just one.
both platforms; distinguish block themes from classic themes
- Read the guide →
Editing a page does not change the template actually used.
both platforms; distinguish block themes from classic themes
- Read the guide →
A page looks correct in the editor but different on the public site.
both platforms; distinguish block themes from classic themes
- Read the guide →
Custom styles no longer apply after a theme change.
both platforms; distinguish block themes from classic themes
- Read the guide →
The page title appears twice.
both platforms; distinguish block themes from classic themes
- Read the guide →
The footer is different on some pages.
both platforms; distinguish block themes from classic themes
- Read the guide →
The expected fonts do not load for visitors.
both platforms; distinguish block themes from classic themes
- Read the guide →
The logo is distorted or blurry in the header.
both platforms; distinguish block themes from classic themes
- Read the guide →
Style customisations need to be returned to a previous state.
both platforms; distinguish block themes from classic themes
- Read the guide →
Scripts or styles are missing because the theme template omits wp_head() or wp_footer().
Public output from classic PHP templates and the boundary with block themes; distinct from an editor or cache failure.
- Read the guide →
WordPress ignores a setting or style defined in theme.json.
theme.json file, compatibility and style priorities, distinct from hooks TECH027, fonts WP061 and cache WP107.
- Read the guide →
The global Elementor styles in the Default Kit have disappeared or been replaced.
Missing, corrupted or replaced Elementor global kit; selective recovery, restoration of settings and the distinction between recreating defaults and retrieving previous values.
- Read the guide →
Blocks retain their old colour after shared styles are changed.
Block editor. Distinguish local colour, container colour and global styles according to the theme.
- Read the guide →
An excessively large vertical gap separates two blocks or sections on the page.
Block editor and associated templates. Check the Spacer block, margins, padding, gap and minimum height.
- Read the guide →
A WordPress heading is cropped, overflows or becomes hard to read on a narrow screen.
Content heading, document title or shared heading. Check the container, typography and rendering when zoomed.
- Read the guide →
A post card appears in a WordPress list with a missing thumbnail.
Post lists and archives. Check the featured image, repeated card structure and file response.
- Read the guide →
A WordPress modal blocks keyboard use, closing or returning to the page.
Existing component, journey without a modal, or native dialog with focus management and rollback.
- Read the guide →
Divi Theme Builder displays “An unknown error has occurred” when opening or editing a template.
Console and template areas, Safe Mode, network response and isolated test with restoration of assignments.
- Read the guide →
A WordPress animation, rotation or media item starts automatically and disrupts reading.
User-initiated playback, fixed background, component controls and reduced-motion preference, with content and keyboard checks.
- Read the guide →
A theme string is missing from WPML String Translation.
Distinguish page content, theme option and code string; registration, domain and controls in two languages.
- Read the guide →
A WordPress table of contents link jumps to the wrong heading after anchors or HTML are changed.
Check the fragment, target uniqueness, old direct links and offset beneath a fixed header.
Images, files and videos
Resolve image, file and video problems: imports, formats, size and processing. Check server limits and the media library.
- Read the guide →
The upload fails because the file exceeds the permitted size.
both platforms; check plan and server limits
- Read the guide →
The server cannot process an image.
both platforms; check plan and server limits
- Read the guide →
A file type is rejected for security reasons.
both platforms; check plan and server limits
- Read the guide →
The upload fails because the temporary folder is missing.
self-hosted; on a managed platform ask support to check the temporary directory
- Read the guide →
The media file is not written to disk even though the transfer started.
self-hosted; on a managed platform check the quota, then contact infrastructure support
- Read the guide →
The library stays empty or its thumbnails do not load.
both platforms; check plan and server limits
- Read the guide →
Images return a 404 error after the site is moved.
both platforms; check plan and server limits
- Read the guide →
Image sizes are missing after a theme change.
both platforms; check plan and server limits
- Read the guide →
The featured image is cropped in the wrong place.
both platforms; check plan and server limits
- Read the guide →
An animated GIF or transparent image loses its expected appearance.
both platforms; check plan and server limits
- Read the guide →
A video or external embed remains blank.
both platforms; check plan and server limits
- Read the guide →
Thumbnails offloaded to object storage do not follow the original image.
sites with an object storage plugin; third-party compatibility case, not a native feature
- Read the guide →
Creating media through REST rejects the file’s bytes or headers.
Raw and multipart bodies for POST /wp/v2/media; distinguish permissions, limits and post-processing without bypassing them.
- Read the guide →
An image appears blurry, pixelated or stretched on a WordPress page.
Image block and variants served by the site. Compare the file actually loaded, displayed dimensions and cropping.
- Read the guide →
A phrase contained in a PDF cannot be found through the site’s search.
Reference HTML page or targeted extraction and indexing of public documents with Relevanssi Premium.
- Read the guide →
WebVTT captions are unavailable or do not match the WordPress video.
Video block track, HTTP content and embedded player; timed cues, empty interval and return to the original track.
- Read the guide →
The image shown before playing the WordPress Video block is missing, outdated or incorrect.
Check the player poster, received HTML and image response. Distinguish the Video block, Cover block and external embed.
- Read the guide →
A JPEG portrait is upright at full size, but its thumbnail is rotated or mirrored.
Distinguish EXIF orientation, subsize generator, CSS rotation and cropping; normalise one file and check its thumbnail.
- Read the guide →
AI-suggested alternative text adds unnecessary descriptions, distorts information or removes an image link’s name.
Check a batch image by image, distinguish decoration, information and action, then compare the accessible name and restore the reference.
- Read the guide →
An already uploaded progressive video stalls on startup or seeking, and the HTTP response does not deliver the requested range.
Direct media, 200/206/416 responses, origin/CDN comparison, retained permissions and player checks.
Domains, HTTPS and migration
Check addresses, the domain and HTTPS after changing hosts or migrating. Identify broken links and incorrect redirects.
- Read the guide →
The new domain still displays the old server.
both platforms; server actions mainly concern self-hosted sites
- Read the guide →
The www and non-www versions open different sites.
both platforms; server actions mainly concern self-hosted sites
- Read the guide →
The HTTPS certificate does not cover the requested domain.
both platforms; server actions mainly concern self-hosted sites
- Read the guide →
The site loops endlessly between HTTP and HTTPS.
both platforms; server actions mainly concern self-hosted sites
- Read the guide →
HTTP resources remain blocked on an HTTPS page.
both platforms; server actions mainly concern self-hosted sites
- Read the guide →
The administration interface becomes inaccessible after a URL change.
mainly self-hosted; WordPress.com managed-domain procedures are separate
- Read the guide →
Internal links retain the old domain after migration.
both platforms; server actions mainly concern self-hosted sites
- Read the guide →
Serialised data are damaged by a SQL text replacement.
sites where a direct database replacement was performed; a technical migration risk
- Read the guide →
Post permalinks return 404 after migration.
both platforms; server actions mainly concern self-hosted sites
- Read the guide →
The migration interrupts receipt of the domain’s email.
both platforms; server actions mainly concern self-hosted sites
- Read the guide →
A public URL that should return 404 redirects to WordPress content whose slug begins similarly.
Distinguish an old slug, explicit rule and native guessing. Measure the first response and check one path only.
Backups, restoration and imports
Prepare a restorable backup, check imports and choose a suitable rollback point. Protect recent data before any restoration.
- Read the guide →
The only available backup does not contain the site’s files.
self-hosted; WordPress.com restoration depends on the plan
- Read the guide →
An XML export is mistaken for a full backup.
self-hosted; WordPress.com restoration depends on the plan
- Read the guide →
Restoration brings back posts but leaves images missing.
self-hosted; WordPress.com restoration depends on the plan
- Read the guide →
The SQL import fails because of its size or a server timeout.
self-hosted or a service allowing SQL imports; do not confuse with XML imports
- Read the guide →
A full restoration erases more recent orders or content.
self-hosted; WordPress.com restoration depends on the plan
- Read the guide →
A backup exists but has never been tested on a copy.
self-hosted; WordPress.com restoration depends on the plan
- Read the guide →
A content import creates duplicates or assigns authors incorrectly.
self-hosted; WordPress.com restoration depends on the plan
- Read the guide →
Attachments are not retrieved during a WordPress import.
self-hosted; WordPress.com restoration depends on the plan
- Read the guide →
The WordPress importer rejects an XML file with an invalid WXR file message.
self-hosted and WordPress.com according to available importer; WXR export and content import, not full restoration
- Read the guide →
A WordPress SQL restoration fails with “Unknown collation”.
self-hosted and managed platform with SQL access; collation compatibility, structure and comparison rules during restoration
- Read the guide →
Jetpack displays Safe Mode on a copy after the site is cloned.
Distinguish identities, retain an isolated test environment, check the effective type and continuity of the reference site.
- Read the guide →
WP All Import overwrites editorial corrections on every recurring import.
Same job and stable identifier, list of updateable fields, two CSV passes with separate manual corrections and targeted rollback.
Performance, caches and diagnostics
Analyse WordPress slowness with comparable measurements. Distinguish cache, images, plugins, database and hosting resources.
- Read the guide →
The server’s initial response is slow despite lightweight pages.
both platforms; server settings depend on hosting
- Read the guide →
The main image significantly delays the page display.
both platforms; server settings depend on hosting
- Read the guide →
Elements move while the page loads.
both platforms; server settings depend on hosting
- Read the guide →
Interactions become slow because of JavaScript.
both platforms; server settings depend on hosting
- Read the guide →
The dashboard is slow while public pages are fast.
both platforms; server settings depend on hosting
- Read the guide →
A change remains invisible because of a browser, server or CDN cache.
both platforms; server settings depend on hosting
- Read the guide →
The cache shows a visitor a personalised page from another context.
both platforms; server settings depend on hosting
- Read the guide →
The database loads too many unnecessary autoload options.
advanced database investigation; access and interventions limited by managed hosting
- Read the guide →
Background tasks accumulate or consume too many resources.
both platforms; server settings depend on hosting
- Read the guide →
Site Health reports a REST or loopback request error.
both platforms; server settings depend on hosting
- Read the guide →
WordPress displays “Error establishing a Redis connection” and the object cache blocks access.
self-hosted; identified drop-in, Redis connection, bounded purge and consistency after recovery; provider intervention on a managed platform
- Read the guide →
A WordPress write operation fails with “Got a packet bigger than max_allowed_packet”.
self-hosted and managed platform; application SQL packet, batch or cumulative data, server limit and PHP connection
- Read the guide →
Expected styles disappear after WP Rocket generates used CSS.
WP Rocket’s Remove Unused CSS feature, generation, public context and targeted exceptions; distinct from a merely stale cache or missing theme hooks.
- Read the guide →
A hosting cron job still runs an old WordPress installation after migration.
Identify the external trigger, its target and running processes; stop a single obsolete line without clearing WordPress events or replaying a business queue.
- Read the guide →
Two WordPress installations share Redis keys, or purging one affects the other’s cache.
Independent installations, including the public site and test copy: drop-in provider, assigned destinations, prefixes and purge scope; Redis Cluster and logical database limits. Distinct from an unavailable Redis connection and personalised HTML cache.
- Read the guide →
A WP-Cron task becomes due, but rescheduling fails with invalid_schedule.
Recurrence registry, loading context, next occurrence and verification of the business result.
Emails, forms and external services
Diagnose emails and forms that do not arrive. Check WordPress sending, external services and receiving settings.
- Read the guide →
Password reset emails do not arrive.
both platforms; forms are often third-party tools
- Read the guide →
A form confirms submission but no message is received.
both platforms; forms are often third-party tools
- Read the guide →
Messages sent by the site arrive in spam.
both platforms; forms are often third-party tools
- Read the guide →
The sender address does not match the authenticated domain.
both platforms; forms are often third-party tools
- Read the guide →
Notifications are sent multiple times.
both platforms; forms are often third-party tools
- Read the guide →
A form fails only for logged-out visitors.
both platforms; forms are often third-party tools
- Read the guide →
An expired key or authorisation interrupts a connection to an external service.
both platforms; forms are often third-party tools
- Read the guide →
An analytics dashboard no longer loads its data after an API error.
identified analytics plugin or service; the forum source concerns Site Kit
- Read the guide →
An Elementor submission appears accepted but the webhook recipient does not receive the expected result.
Elementor Webhook action and submission collection: scope, transmission evidence, recipient contract and the effect of replaying; distinct from an outgoing WooCommerce webhook.
- Read the guide →
A WPForms form rejects submission with “Attempt to submit corrupted post data”.
WPForms POST data error, scripts, CAPTCHA, AMP and configuration conflict; retain filtering and test on a copy, distinct from a missing notification email.
- Read the guide →
The Contact Form 7 form remains loading after Send is clicked.
Diagnose the Ajax route, REST POST and result display.
- Read the guide →
Contact Form 7 classifies a legitimate submission as spam.
Attribute the spam verdict to the relevant module, distinct from deliverability.
- Read the guide →
Contact Form 7 rejects an attached file or the received email lacks the expected attachment.
File field, multipart body, PHP, temporary storage and attachment to the email.
- Read the guide →
A WordPress administration email address change remains pending, even after an SMTP test is received.
Distinguish site, profile and sender addresses; receipt, cancellation of the native request and then a new targeted confirmation.
- Read the guide →
A relay rejects the WordPress notification after DATA with SMTP code 552 5.3.4, while smaller emails are accepted.
MIME message size, relay limits, test variants and targeted retry.
Comments and unwanted registrations
Find missing comments and examine unwanted registrations. Check moderation and settings before deleting data.
- Read the guide →
Spam comments are published without approval.
both platforms
- Read the guide →
Legitimate comments remain stuck in moderation or spam.
both platforms
- Read the guide →
The comment form is missing from some posts.
both platforms
- Read the guide →
Comments close automatically after a set period.
both platforms
- Read the guide →
Unwanted accounts are created even though registration should not be open.
both platforms
- Read the guide →
The profile portrait exists, but one or more comments use a default avatar.
Distinguish comment identity, block or callback, Gravatar replacement and local provider.
Crawling, indexing and search appearance
Check WordPress crawling and indexing: titles, descriptions, canonical URLs, sitemap and search engine access. Distinguish indexing from ranking.
- Read the guide →
The site is not indexed after launch.
both platforms
- Read the guide →
Public pages retain a noindex directive from staging.
both platforms
- Read the guide →
A robots restriction prevents a crawler from visiting important pages.
both platforms
- Read the guide →
The sitemap is missing, invalid or contains URLs that fail.
both platforms
- Read the guide →
The canonical tag points to the old domain.
both platforms
- Read the guide →
Archives and URL variants produce duplicate content.
both platforms
- Read the guide →
Google displays a different title or snippet from the one intended.
both platforms
- Read the guide →
Important pages have no internal links pointing to them.
both platforms
- Read the guide →
Structured data contradict the content actually visible.
both platforms
- Read the guide →
Site Kit displays a Search Console property corresponding to an old site address.
Search Console module property, scope and permissions after migration; inventoried reconnection and service-by-service rollback.
- Read the guide →
The Yoast breadcrumb points to the wrong primary category for the post.
Identify the generator, set the primary category or breadcrumb taxonomy, and check archives and the permalink.
Security, recovery and privacy
Identify suspicious access and prepare site recovery. Preserve evidence useful for diagnosis and protect accounts, files and data.
- Read the guide →
The site redirects visitors to an unknown destination.
both platforms; responsibility shared according to the host
- Read the guide →
Unknown administrator accounts appear.
both platforms; responsibility shared according to the host
- Read the guide →
Spam files or pages reappear after an initial cleanup.
both platforms; responsibility shared according to the host
- Read the guide →
A browser or search engine flags the site as dangerous.
both platforms; responsibility shared according to the host
- Read the guide →
Logs or backups become accessible through a public URL.
both platforms; responsibility shared according to the host
- Read the guide →
A lost or shared account prevents identification of the site’s actual owner.
both platforms; responsibility shared according to the host
- Read the guide →
Overly broad file permissions were applied to bypass an error.
self-hosted or explicit file access; handled by support on a managed platform
- Read the guide →
An XML-RPC client can no longer connect while the WordPress dashboard remains accessible.
self-hosted; endpoint, incoming authentication and protection rules; WordPress.com according to supported client
- Read the guide →
Wordfence assigns the same IP address to every visitor.
Wordfence Security behind a proxy or CDN; chain of addresses received by PHP and confirmed trusted sources.
- Read the guide →
The Wordfence scan does not start or stops before completion.
Running the already installed Wordfence scanner; start, progress, limits and log. Does not cover intrusion cleanup.
- Read the guide →
An old origin retains remote SQL access to a migrated WordPress database.
Hosting account with Remote Database Access; targeted removal of a SQL host and checks on retained consumers, distinct from repairing a failed connection.
- Read the guide →
The Cloudflare API token used by WordPress needs replacing during an access handover.
Planned rotation or handling a compromised secret; Cloudflare token consumers, permissions and revocation. Distinct from a generic external service failure or a WordPress application password.
- Read the guide →
A WordPress feed can still reveal information after content is restricted.
Check RSS/Atom, excerpts, titles and comments according to guest/member policy, then caches and external copies; distinct from legitimate access to a private page and indexing settings.
- Read the guide →
WordPress script source maps expose source code or paths not intended for publication.
Theme, plugin or project scripts; HTTP references and annotations, map contents, public package and private diagnostic channel. Distinct from exposed logs/backups or old PHP code retained by OPcache.
- Read the guide →
reCAPTCHA reports an incompatible domain or key pair in Contact Form 7.
Match the final domain, v3 key pair and effective configuration source.
- Read the guide →
An AI-generated PHP snippet needs checking before activation in WordPress.
Assess the code’s effects and test syntax, scope and deactivation on an isolated copy.
- Read the guide →
The erasure request is complete but biographical information remains saved in the WordPress profile.
Native description field, checks on displays and copies, preservation of the author, WP-CLI diagnosis without disclosure.
WooCommerce stores and checkout
Follow the WooCommerce purchase journey: products, cart, payment, shipping and orders. Test corrections without disrupting current sales.
- Read the guide →
Checkout remains stuck on a loading indicator.
sites using WooCommerce; not a WordPress core feature
- Read the guide →
A collected payment leaves the order awaiting payment.
sites using WooCommerce; not a WordPress core feature
- Read the guide →
A payment method is missing even though its configuration appears active.
sites using WooCommerce; not a WordPress core feature
- Read the guide →
The cart empties itself or retains stale data.
sites using WooCommerce; not a WordPress core feature
- Read the guide →
A paid order does not trigger the expected confirmation.
sites using WooCommerce; not a WordPress core feature
- Read the guide →
The WooCommerce gallery does not change with the selected variation.
Sites using WooCommerce; native per-product or per-variation features, according to version and permissions. Not a WordPress core feature.
- Read the guide →
A scheduled WooCommerce sale does not display the expected price.
Sites using WooCommerce; native per-product or per-variation features, according to version and permissions. Not a WordPress core feature.
- Read the guide →
WooCommerce has disabled a native outgoing webhook after delivery failures.
Native outgoing WooCommerce webhook, distinct from incoming payment provider notifications WP142 and the scheduler WP110.
- Read the guide →
HPOS order synchronisation stops progressing or retains differences between the two storage systems.
Authoritative storage, scheduled actions, WP-CLI diagnostics and controlled synchronisation before switching or rolling back.
- Read the guide →
No WooCommerce shipping method matches the entered address.
First matching zone, methods and conditions, classic cart for diagnosis followed by the actual customer journey.
- Read the guide →
WooCommerce rejects an active coupon for a particular cart or profile.
Cart restrictions, billing email and quotas; eligible/excluded controls and targeted coupon restoration.
- Read the guide →
WooCommerce recommends unexpected related products on a product page.
Distinguish shared categories and tags, manual upsells and cross-sells, then the template’s collection configuration.
- Read the guide →
A download no longer appears for earlier orders after the product or variation file is changed.
Row editing, new permission, identifier comparison and checking the file actually received.
- Read the guide →
A WooCommerce CSV import duplicates a product or attaches a variation to the wrong product.
Compare IDs, SKUs, the Parent column, mappings and both import modes on a control batch.
- Read the guide →
A variation’s stock does not return to the expected quantity after a partial refund.
Compare the line refund, parent or variation stock count, original stock deduction and inventory return.
- Read the guide →
An order reported as placed is missing from the WooCommerce administration list.
Compare the domain, filters, account permissions, identifier and active storage without recreating the order.
- Read the guide →
WooCommerce product search results and filters are inconsistent with the product pages.
Derived indexes and result verification. Distinguish product source data, visibility and lookup tables.
Multisite networks and subsites
Examine the specifics of a WordPress multisite network: administration, subsites, domains and permissions. Check the scope of each change.
- Read the guide →
The main site works but new subsites return 404.
self-hosted WordPress Multisite; network administrator
- Read the guide →
A subsite’s subdomain does not resolve in DNS.
self-hosted WordPress Multisite; network administrator
- Read the guide →
Login fails after a custom domain is mapped to a subsite.
self-hosted WordPress Multisite; network administrator
- Read the guide →
A subsite administrator cannot install a plugin reserved for the network.
self-hosted WordPress Multisite; network administrator
- Read the guide →
Switching between a subdomain and subdirectory network breaks existing addresses.
self-hosted WordPress Multisite; network administrator
- Read the guide →
WP-Cron events on some WordPress subsites remain pending while the main site is processed.
Multisite network: target each subsite, observe queues and check the trigger; distinct from a general WP-Cron failure or stopping an old hosting cron job.
- Read the guide →
A WordPress multisite subsite reaches its cumulative media quota.
Distinguish individual quota, per-file limit and server space; free or increase only the target, then compare two control subsites.
- Read the guide →
A subsite administrator sees only the form for adding an existing account and cannot create an identity on the network.
Network add_new_users policy, capabilities, creation and association, checked on two subsites.
How this inventory was compiled
The inventory began on 2 November 2026 and was expanded as guides were developed, drawing on WordPress documentation, resources for the relevant components and cases published in support forums. Each guide undergoes a separate review before publication.