10 WordPress Logs Every Admin Should Know About

Have you faced 500 internal server errors or noticed odd activities on your site? These can be tough to handle, especially if you don’t know how to debug errors.

Solving these problems without a clear view can be like guessing in the dark. Meanwhile, in the background, they can slow down your site, leave it vulnerable, and frustrate your visitors.

Here’s a useful diagnostic tool—WordPress logs. They keep track of everything happening on your site. In this article, we will discuss the different types of WordPress logs and how to use them to address issues quickly. 

TL;DR: WordPress logs are vital for site security and performance, offering insights into activities and issues. Regularly audit your WordPress site. This helps you identify problems early, allowing you to address vulnerabilities and optimize user experience.

What are WordPress logs?

WordPress logs are like a diary for your website. They keep track of everything that happens by recording different activities and events on your site.

Why are logs important? By reviewing these records, you can spot potential problems and determine their causes, allowing you to take appropriate action to secure and optimize your site. 

For example, if you detect unusual user activities or file changes, logs can help you diagnose the issue so you can implement solutions. This ensures that your site remains fast and reliable.

Understanding the different WordPress logs and their roles helps you identify and prevent issues before they cause trouble. So, when something seems off on your site, you know what to consult.

1. Change logs

Change logs are like a detailed list of every update or modification made on your WordPress site. These also include changes to plugins, themes, and core files. Additionally, they record who made the changes, ensuring a clear history of what’s been done.

Change logs offer a clear view of your site’s maintenance activities, so you know exactly what’s been updated and when. 

Why are they useful? If something suddenly stops working on your site, these logs help you trace recent changes that might have caused the issue. This makes it easier to fix problems by undoing specific changes. 

Regular check-ins with the change logs can also help you spot potential conflicts before they become bigger. 

How to access Change logs? 

Change logs are located in your hosting provider’s dashboard under the site management sections. If your hosting provider does not offer change logs, consider using plugins specifically designed for the same.

2. Activity logs

Activity logs note down every action that users and admins take. This includes activities such as who is logging in, changing content, and managing site settings.

Why are they useful? They show how people use your site, helping you understand user behavior. This information can help improve the overall user experience. 

Activity logs also play a crucial role in security by recording actions like creating or deleting user accounts, changing passwords, or modifying permissions. This makes it easy to catch any odd behavior that might suggest a security issue.

For websites with many contributors, activity logs are essential for monitoring changes and ensuring that everyone is following the site’s rules and processes. They also help meet any site security audit requirements by maintaining a detailed record of user activities.

How can you access Activity logs?

If you are a BlogVault customer, you can view your site’s activity logs within the external dashboard. 

BlogVault allows you to filter logs by keyword, category, action, username, or date, making it easy to track specific changes. This tells you what’s happening on your site, helping you manage and protect it effectively.

If you are not using BlogVault, you can install an activity log plugin to monitor all activities occurring on your website.

3. Error logs 

Error logs capture information about problems that occur while your website is running. They provide detailed reports of any issues that might disrupt your site’s normal operation.

Why are they useful? These logs usually contain details about PHP errors, warnings, and more serious issues that might affect your site’s functioning. You can then fix them to keep your site stable and working smoothly

Error logs are typically recorded by the server. You can also configure them to capture different types of errors, including those from PHP and server operations.

How can you access Error logs?

You can find your error logs through your hosting provider’s Monitoring panel, using FTP, or by navigating server directories. They are often organized under sections labeled Logs or Error Logs. By checking these logs regularly, you can spot and fix problems early, helping maintain your website’s reliability and efficiency.

4. Debug logs

Debug logs offer a detailed look into your website’s activities. They capture errors along with additional information that can help developers troubleshoot these errors.

Why are they useful? If you are a developer, they help pinpoint problems in the codebase while you’re building or updating the site. They provide details about minor errors and notices, which can help troubleshoot and ensure everything works correctly. 

These logs are also valuable when testing new features in a staging environment.

How can you access Debug logs?

Debug logs are kept in a debug.log file in the wp-content directory. You can access them using FTP or your hosting control panel.

But if you can’t find this file, you need to enable debug logging first. To do this, edit the wp-config.php file by adding the following line of code right before the line that says, That’s it. Stop editing! Happy blogging!:

define('WP_DEBUG', true);

define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);

After saving the changes, you should find the debug.log file inside the wp-content directory.

5. Access logs

Access logs are records that keep track of every visit to your WordPress site. They collect details like the visitor’s IP address, when they visited, and which pages they looked at. This information helps you understand how people use your site.

Why are they useful? Access logs tell you when your site is busiest and which pages are most visited. This helps you understand what people like and prepare your site to handle the number of visitors. 

They also help with security by showing you any unusual activity. For example, too many failed login attempts or visits from unexpected places could signal a problem. You can then install a firewall to block such suspicious attempts or limit login attempts.

How can you access Access logs?

You can find these logs by checking your hosting provider’s Monitoring panel or cPanel. Look for sections called Logs or Raw Access Logs. Checking these logs regularly helps keep your site running well and safe.

6. PHP error logs

PHP error logs provide detailed information about any PHP issues on your WordPress site. Instead of directly displaying error messages to your site’s visitors, you can configure your site to store detailed information about each error in PHP error logs. 

By setting configurations like WP_DEBUG and WP_DEBUG_LOG, you can control how these logs capture and store error details, allowing you to address issues discreetly without affecting the user experience.

They capture specifics such as the type of error, the time it occurred, and where it happened within your site’s code. This information helps in diagnosing and resolving issues effectively. It includes syntax mistakes to database connectivity issues. It also highlights problems with themes, plugins, or the WordPress core itself.

Why are they useful? PHP error logs provide in-depth insights into code-related issues on your site, helping you understand exactly what went wrong and where. This makes it easier to resolve problems without disturbing the user experience. 

Since WordPress is built on PHP, any PHP errors can significantly impact your site’s functionality. Therefore, monitoring PHP error logs is crucial for maintaining a smoothly functioning website. 

How can you access PHP error logs? 

You can either access your PHP error logs using a plugin or you can find PHP error logs in your hosting account’s dashboard. If they’re unavailable there, you may need to locate your php.ini file and modify it by setting the error_log directive to specify where the logs should be stored.

7. WooCommerce logs

WooCommerce logs monitor and record events that happen within your WooCommerce site. They are essential for managing an e-commerce platform on your WordPress site. 

These logs capture various transactional and operational events, such as customer orders, shipping details, product updates, and payment transactions. Whether a customer faces an issue at checkout or there’s an error while updating product information, WooCommerce logs keep a comprehensive record of these incidents.

Why are they useful? WooCommerce logs offer detailed insights into your e-commerce operations. They help you troubleshoot issues, track orders, and manage product updates effectively. They ensure smooth transactions and better customer experiences by capturing errors and providing timestamps for each event.

How can you access WooCommerce logs?

You can access WooCommerce logs directly from the WordPress admin area after installing and activating the WooCommerce plugin. To find them, go to WooCommerce > Status > Logs. 

From there, you can select the log file you need from the dropdown menu and click on View. Regularly reviewing these logs is crucial for maintaining the health and efficiency of your e-commerce operations.

8. MySQL logs

MySQL logs keep track of everything happening in your WordPress database. These logs are important because WordPress uses MySQL to manage your site’s database. They capture events like database errors and access information. They also show you if a database query fails or takes longer than expected.

Why are they useful? MySQL logs are like a magnifying glass for your site’s database activities. By reviewing them, you can find out why a query didn’t work or took so long, which can help you resolve issues quickly.

How can you access MySQL logs?

Finding MySQL logs depends on how your server is set up. They are often located at paths like /var/log/mysql. You can also access them through your hosting provider’s control panel.

9. SMTP server logs

SMTP server logs are records that track every email sent from your WordPress site. Whether it’s a password reset, user notification, or newsletter, these emails go through something called SMTP, which stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. 

The logs note down important details like when the email was sent, who received it, whether it was successfully delivered, and any errors if it didn’t go through.

Why are they useful? SMTP logs help you figure out why an email didn’t arrive or was delayed. By checking these logs, you can find error messages and see patterns in your email delivery. This way, you can fix issues quickly and make sure your emails reach their destinations.

How can you access SMTP server logs?

You can usually find SMTP logs on the dashboard or control panel provided by your SMTP service provider. If you’re not using an external provider, plugins like WPMailSMTP can help you log email details from your WordPress site.

10. Syslogs

Syslogs contain everything from system errors and security checks to network events and application alerts. 

Syslogs obtain information from your server’s operating system, network devices, and all applications. They give you a full picture of what’s going on in your server’s environment.

Why are they useful? Syslogs serve as the central logging system that offers a comprehensive view of your WordPress website’s operational health. They are essential for monitoring system activities, running diagnostics, and troubleshooting issues within your server’s environment. 

They provide specific information with timestamps, the seriousness of messages, and who or what caused the events. This makes it easier for you (or your tech team) to solve any big server issues quickly and keep your site running smoothly and safely.

How can you access Syslogs?

You need to access your server directly to take a look at your Syslogs. Look in directories like /var/log/syslog or /var/log/messages, depending on your server’s operating system. 

Best practices for managing WordPress logs

Managing your WordPress logs is important to keep your website secure. They help you detect irregular activities, like unauthorized logins, by recording detailed events. Frequent checks enable you to catch and fix vulnerabilities promptly. Here are some best practices to follow:

1. Monitor logs regularly: Checking your logs often helps catch problems early. This keeps your site running smoothly and keeps it secure from potential threats.

2. Secure log files: Make sure your log files are stored safely. This means keeping them away from anyone who shouldn’t see them and protecting your site from any misuse.

3. Backup logs: Save copies of your log files regularly. This way, even if something goes wrong with your site, you won’t lose important information that may be helpful to resolve issues.

4. Set up alerts: Use plugins or tools that alert you about important activities or warning signs. This keeps you informed and ready to act quickly when needed.

5. Ensure correct file permissions: Having incorrect file permissions can allow unauthorized users to make changes to your files. Make sure these permissions are set accurately.

5. Stay updated: Keep any log management tools or plugins current. Doing this helps avoid security risks and makes sure the tools work well.

Why are logs important?

Logs might sound boring, but they are super important for your WordPress site. They help you:

1. Spot errors quickly: Logs keep track of any problems your site might have. When issues arise, logs assist in quickly identifying and addressing the cause.

2. Boost security: Logs capture information about activities on your site, including any unauthorized access attempts or suspicious actions. This information enables you to review and act promptly on any detected anomalies, helping you to protect your site promptly. 

3. Improve performance: Logs provide insights into various aspects of your site’s operation, such as slow-loading pages or server errors. They help identify bottlenecks and issues affecting user experience, allowing you to address performance problems, optimize loading times, and ensure smoother navigation for your visitors.

4. Check user activities: They record what different users are doing on your site. This helps keep everything transparent.

5. Prevent future problems: You can spot any patterns and trends in issues by regularly checking your logs. This can help you fix them before they even start.

Parting thoughts

WordPress logs are essential for ensuring your website operates efficiently and securely. By offering detailed insights into various site activities, logs help you maintain control over your site’s performance. 

Each type of log plays a unique role in monitoring and maintaining your site’s health. Regularly reviewing these logs allows you to spot unusual activities early, address issues proactively, and prevent minor problems from escalating. 

FAQs

Where do I find WordPress logs?  

WordPress logs can be found on your hosting provider’s control panel, under sections typically labeled Logs or Error Logs. If you’re dealing with specific logs like debug logs, they’re stored in the wp-content directory.

How do I view access logs in WordPress?  

Access logs can be found through your hosting provider’s control panel or cPanel. They are often located under sections called Logs or occasionally as Raw access logs.

How to check WordPress activity log?  

To check the activity log, you can use BlogVault’s activity log feature or get a plugin like WP Activity Log. Both these options will allow you to see what actions users and admins have performed on your site, giving you a clear view of all recent activities.

Where is the WordPress debug log stored?  

The WordPress debug log is stored in a file named debug.log in the wp-content directory. Use an FTP client or your hosting provider’s file manager to access it.

How do I track users on WordPress?  

You can track users by using BlogVault’s activity log or plugins like WP Activity Log. Both options record user actions. These logs help you see who’s doing what on your site, which is great for security and user management.