How to Easily Recover a WordPress Site After a Crash

Troubleshooting a WordPress error is frustrating, scary and nerve wracking. 

One minute you’re updating a plugin and the next, you’re staring at a crashed WordPress site. All your blogs have disappeared. Your beautiful images have gone. Can you recover your website? Have you lost everything?

There are a lot of reasons why your site has crashed. Anything from a malware hack to spikes in traffic can affect it. We have crashed our own test sites from testing various things for our articles. We understand the nervousness and fear of data loss.

The good news is that crashes are fixable. In fact, over the years, we’ve rescued thousands of sites with our WordPress restores. That’s why we’ve put together a list of troubleshooting steps that will help you too. 

TL;DR: Anything from a plugin conflict to a hosting provider outage can cause your site to crash. The best way to solve it is to diagnose the cause and then fix the problem. However, the quickest way to recover a crashed site is to restore a backup. 

How to fix a WordPress site crash?

When a site goes down, it’s crucial to figure out what triggered it. This makes sure that you’re not going in blind, when you’re troubleshooting. This section ill go over popular causes of a crashed site, how to identify it and how to fix it. 

Plugin issues:

As important as plugins are, they come with some risks. For example, an Elementor update crashed our site before. Even poorly coded plugins might not mesh well with your theme or WordPress updates. Contrarily, using an outdated plugin might also lead to compatibility issues. 

How to identify it?

• Use an FTP client to access your website files.
• Deactivate the plugin folder by calling it plugins_deactivated.
• Check if the site is back. If it is, then plugins are the problem.
• Change the folder name back to plugins.
• Deactivate a plugin folder by naming it pluginname_deactivated.
• Check if the site is back again. 

If the site is back, this is the problem plugin. If not, repeat the process with other plugin folders, one by one. 

How to fix plugin conflict?

• If you recently updated the plugin, rollback the update
• If not, check its page or repository for updates or patches.
• Test plugins on a staging site before going live.

• Delete any unused plugins to prevent future conflicts.
• Choose reputable plugins that receive regular updates to ensure reliability.

Theme conflicts

Themes customize the look and feel of your WordPress site, but they can sometimes cause issues. Much like plugins, if a theme isn’t well written or frequently updated, it might not work well with the latest WordPress version. Sometimes, a theme update might change things unexpectedly, leading to crashes or errors. Even a normally reliable theme can run into trouble if it’s not compatible with other site elements like extensions..

How to identify theme conflicts?

• Switch to a default WordPress theme like ‘Twenty Twenty-Three’. 

• If the site returns to normal, then your theme was the problem. 

How to fix theme conflicts?

• If you recently updated the theme, consider rolling back the update.
• Visit the theme’s page or repository to check for any new updates or patches.
• Safely install any updates that might resolve the issue.
• If problems persist, consider contacting the theme’s support team for assistance.
• Choose themes that are well-coded and regularly updated to ensure compatibility and stability.

PHP version conflicts

PHP is the scripting language that powers WordPress, and using an incompatible PHP version can lead to errors or site crashes. If your PHP version doesn’t align with WordPress requirements or key plugins, it could cause serious functionality issues. Maybe you recently updated PHP hand that caused you issues.

How to identify PHP version conflicts?

• Access your hosting control panel to check the current PHP version running on your server.
• Compare this version with WordPress’s recommended PHP versions and your plugin requirements.
• Look for error messages referencing PHP version issues, which can indicate a conflict.

How to fix PHP version conflicts?

• Before making any changes, create a staging site to test the new PHP version. This ensures you catch any incompatibility issues before you update it. 
• Once you confirm compatibility in the staging environment, update the PHP version through your hosting control panel.
• After updating, check your site thoroughly to confirm everything is working correctly.
• Ensure your hosting environment allows you to switch PHP versions as needed for future updates.

Malware injections or hacks

A hacked site refers to when hackers inject malicious code into your site to disrupt its operation. The malicious code utilizes your server’s resources. leading to server overload and site crashes. DDoS attacks, for example, flood your server with requests from multiple sources, overwhelming and crashing it.

How to identify it?

• Look for unusual site behavior, such as unexplained redirects or slow performance.
• Monitor server logs and resource usage for spikes that might suggest a DDoS attack or unauthorized access.
• Use malware scanners to scan for injected malicious code.

How to fix it?

• Use a security plugin to scan your site and eliminate any malware.
• Install a firewall to block harmful traffic
• Regularly update passwords to bolster security.

Sudden traffic spikes

A sudden surge or a drop in traffic can be red flags to something going wrong. In fact, a surge in traffic can overwhelm your server if it doesn’t have adequate bandwidth or capacity, leading to crashes. This can occur from viral content or sudden popularity.

How to identify it?

• Monitor your server’s capacity and bandwidth usage.
• Check your website’s analytics for sudden spikes in visitors.
• Look for server error messages indicating overload.

How to fix it?

• Shift to a better host or upgrade your current hosting package to handle increased traffic.
• Employ a CDN to distribute load and enhance site speed.
• Optimize site performance with caching, image compression, and minimizing scripts.

Hosting provider outages

Scheduled maintenance or unexpected outages from your hosting provider can temporarily disable your website, disrupting access for visitors.

How to identify it?

• Check your email or your hosting provider’s dashboard for maintenance alerts.
• Use website monitoring tools to detect and report uptime issues.

How to fix it?

• Stay informed about scheduled maintenance or outages through provider notifications.
• Consider moving to a more reliable host if outages are frequent and cause significant disruption.

Coding errors

Mistakes or unauthorized changes in code can break your website’s functionality, potentially causing a crash if key operations fail. In fact, this is why we always recommend you backup your website before making any changes to your site. This way, you can restore it in minutes to recover your site.

How to identify it?

• Look for error messages or site elements not loading correctly.
• Review recent code changes or additions.
• Trace back to the last stable version of your site to identify possible sources of error.

How to fix it?

• Use backups to revert any affected files and rectify coding errors.

Pro tip: Test all custom code on a staging site before applying it live to prevent issues.  

Domain expired

If you don’t monitor your domain, you may not if the domain registration expires. This could result in your website going offline because the domain no longer points to your server, making it inaccessible.

How to identify it?

• Check your registrar account for renewal reminders or expiration alerts.
• Use monitoring tools to get notifications about domain status.

How to fix it?

• Renew your domain immediately with your registrar to restore accessibility.
• Set up reminders for future renewals 

Pro tip: WP Remote has a domain monitoring feature that regularly checks your domain and notifies you when it’s up for renewal. 

How to prevent a WordPress site crash?

Preventing crashes on your WordPress site involves adopting a series of best practices that enhance stability and security. Here’s how you can safeguard your site effectively:

Implement a reliable backup system

A robust backup system is essential for data security and recovery. Use WordPress backup plugins to automate daily or weekly backups, ensuring that you always have a recent version of your site stored safely. This enables quick restoration in case of any crash or data loss, minimizing downtime.

Expert’s advice:
Factors to consider when choosing a backup plugin:

Automated backups: Manual backups are at a higher risk of failure. There is a  higher chance of crashing your site when you restore it manually. It’s more prone to human error. You want a tool that you can just setup once and it will take care of backups for you. BlogVault offers backups that you need to schedule just once. From then on, it will handle it for you.

Offsite storage: Backups take up space. The more space that is occupied on your server, the slower it is. Use tools like BlogVault that store your backups on their own servers. Check if the plugin offers multiple storage options, like cloud services (Dropbox, Google Drive) or external servers, for secure data storage.

Restore functionality: A restore needs to be quick, reliable and easy to accomplish. BlogVault offers a one-click restore feature that can recover your site in minutes. It also uses an Emergency connector to restore crashed sites. 

Scan for malware regularly

Conduct regular malware and vulnerability scans to safeguard your site from attacks. Using security plugins helps maintain a secure site environment and prevents unauthorized breaches.

Expert advice:
We tested the top malware scanners and found that MalCare was the best for the following reasons: 
1. Scans entire site – database tables and files
2. Identifies zero day malware reliably
3. No false positives were found
4. Doesn’t impact your server resources

Regular updates

Consistently updating the WordPress core, as well as your plugins and themes, is crucial. Use a vulnerability scanner to keep track of all the updates.

Updates often include security patches, bug fixes, and compatibility enhancements that prevent vulnerabilities and ensure harmony among site components. Make it a habit to check for updates frequently and apply them promptly.

Pro tip: Use BlogVault’s Safe Updates to thoroughly test the updates on a staging site first. This reduces the risk of an update. 

Use reputable plugins and themes

Avoid nulled plugins and themes and install those from trusted sources minimizes the risk of compatibility issues and security vulnerabilities. Reputable developers frequently update their products to resolve issues and adapt to new WordPress versions. Always check ratings, reviews, and active support for any plugin or theme before installation.

Choose a solid hosting provider

Your hosting provider plays a critical role in your site’s performance and uptime. Select a hosting provider known for reliability, speed, and excellent customer support. Investigate their failure recovery policies and ensure they offer ample resources to accommodate your site’s needs.

Monitor site performance

Regularly monitor your site’s performance and resource usage to catch potential issues early. Use tools and plugins to track metrics such as load time, server response, and bandwidth consumption. By staying informed, you can address problems before they escalate into site crashes. If your page speed drops, use performance plugins to optimize the site.

Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)

A CDN helps distribute traffic load across a network of servers, enhancing site speed and resilience. By serving content from locations closer to your visitors, a CDN reduces server strain, improves load times, and boosts overall site performance.

Test changes on a staging site

Always test updates, new plugins, or custom code on a staging site. This precautionary step ensures seamless transitions and prevents disruptions, maintaining your live site’s stability.

Monitor domain registration status

Keep an eye on your domain registration status and set reminders for renewal. This prevents unexpected online service interruptions and ensures continued access to your site.

Final thoughts

Understanding the common causes of site crashes empowers you to respond quickly and effectively when issues arise. Knowing what might lead to a crash can also help you take precautions before making changes to your site. One of those precautions is a backup. 

Having a reliable backup system in place is crucial for swift recovery from unexpected incidents. Regularly scheduled backups, whether daily or weekly, ensure that you have recent copies of your site readily available. This allows you to restore your site to a previous, stable state quickly, minimizing data loss and getting your site back online with minimal disruption.

FAQs

Why does my WordPress site keep crashing?

Your WordPress site may keep crashing due to several reasons, such as plugin conflicts, outdated themes or plugins, server overload, or security breaches like malware injections. Incompatible PHP versions, high traffic surges without adequate server resources, or issues with the hosting provider can also lead to crashes. Regular maintenance, updates, and monitoring can help identify and prevent these problems.

How to prevent a website from crashing?

To prevent your website from crashing, follow these best practices:

• Keep WordPress core, plugins, and themes updated.
• Use reputable plugins and themes.
• Limit the number of active plugins to minimize conflicts.
• Ensure your hosting provider meets your site’s resource needs.
• Implement automated backups and security measures.
• Regularly optimize your database and monitor site performance.
• Test changes on a staging site before applying them live.

How do I open a crashed site?

To open a crashed site, you might need to access your server via an FTP client or your hosting control panel. This allows you to deactivate plugins or themes by renaming their folders, which can help in identifying the cause of the crash. If your site is down due to server issues, you might need to contact your hosting provider for assistance.

Can I restore a crashed site?

Yes, you can restore a crashed site if you have a recent backup. Use your backup plugin or hosting service to restore your site to a previous stable version. This process can quickly bring your site back online and minimize downtime. It’s essential to ensure that regular backups are part of your site maintenance routine to make recovery easier.

Did I cause my website to crash?

It’s possible that recent changes you made might have caused the crash. Installing a new plugin, updating themes, or modifying code without testing could lead to compatibility issues. Reviewing recent activities and changes can help identify if your actions contributed to the crash. Using a staging site for testing can help prevent such problems before changes go live.