Troubleshoot WordPress Blogging Issues
WordPress allows users to create beautiful websites even if they have never written code. A background in web development or design is not required to make a stunning website.
There is, however, a disadvantage to WordPress’s limitless customization options: incompatibilities between themes, plugins, and the core software itself.
If you’re having problems with WordPress, this article will show you how to fix them step by step. Following these steps will either resolve your issue or lead you to the person who can help you.
1. Delete the Website’s Cache.
One would find this to be rather strange. Instead of making sure the problem is happening for other people, It is recommended to clear the caching on your website first.
This is advised because cleaning your site’s cache will resolve many issues you may be experiencing.
These days, your website could have multiple caching layers.
A cache plugin for WordPress is an excellent place to start, as it adds a layer of caching that can be quickly cleared.
Server-side caching and a content delivery network (CDN) are two other options you may have. You should get rid of them if you know where they are. If you’re unsure, your web host can tell you what kind of caching they use.
2. Verify That Other People Are Experiencing the Same Problem.
Now that you know the problem isn’t caused by the way your site’s visitors’ browsers are configured, we can move on to eliminating that possibility. Reproducing the problem is a must.
Use a separate wireless network or attach your PC to your phone’s mobile internet connection for testing.
Specific problems may only arise with IP networks. And some may vary depending on your ISP (in the case of issues updating domain name servers).
Assuming you’ve established that the problem is affecting others, you may then determine whether or not it’s affecting only a select few.
3. Ensure that your WordPress Installation is Up to Date.
A lot of problems will disappear if you update your site. Before making any modifications to your website, you should always make backups.
It’s essential to keep your site updated, not only for user experience but also for safety.
Once the updates have been made, you should clear the cache and perform an incognito check of the site.
A simple scan of your WordPress site after installing any updates is required to ensure the updates don’t break anything.
A conflict may occur, for instance, if you update WordPress but use a plugin that hasn’t been updated. If this happens, your site can be quickly and easily restored from its most recent backup.
4. Launch the Query Monitor Add-on.
Don’t let the fact that Query Monitor is a WordPress plugin created for web developers put you off. It is a fundamental step in fixing WordPress issues. Don’t stress out about deciphering the meaning of each feature of this plugin.
Use it as a simple warning system in the event of problems. The goal of this plugin is to assist you in identifying the offending plugin (or Theme) so that you can fix your website.
5. Revert to WordPress’s standard Theme.
Some problems can be theme-dependent, and this must be tested by reverting to WordPress’s factory-default Theme.
One should already be set up for you, and a new one should be introduced each, with the date always falling on a specified day. Navigate to Appearance > Themes to swap out your currently active Theme.
6. Locate Plugins That May Cause Issues
This is the most time-consuming step in WordPress debugging, but fortunately, it’s also the simplest. The plan is to turn off your site’s plugins one by one until the problem is fixed.
After disabling a plugin, you should clear your site’s cache and do an anonymous browser test. If you are utilizing a content delivery network, you should also flush its cache.
If you suspect a specific plugin is at fault, you should try reactivating it. Your choices will become clearer once you identify the offending plugin. It makes sense to report the problem and request a fix from the plugin’s creator, so do so.
Nonetheless, there are situations in which plugins are no longer being updated. Or is there a suitable substitute for the plugin, which is not essential to the site’s operation? When this occurs, changing to a different plugin is your best bet.
Conclusion.
The most important advice you can get for debugging WordPress is, “Don’t panic.” Follow the instructions carefully. Keeping your cool and solving the problem is often all that’s needed.
