The WordPress white screen of death (WSOD) usually occurs due to plugin or theme conflicts, PHP errors, or memory issues. This guide walks you through identifying and fixing the problem step-by-step.

1. Enable Debug Mode

To find the cause of the issue, enable WordPress debug mode. Open your wp-config.php file and add the following lines:

define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);

All errors will be recorded in wp-content/debug.log.

2. Disable Plugins

Most white screen issues are caused by plugins. Use FTP or your file manager to rename the wp-content/plugins folder to something like plugins_disabled. If the site works, reactivate plugins one by one to identify the faulty one.

3. Switch to a Default Theme

If the issue appeared after a theme update, switch to a default WordPress theme (e.g., Twenty Twenty-Five).

4. Check PHP Version

Ensure your PHP version is compatible with WordPress (preferably 8.0+). Update it via Plesk or Cpanel if necessary.

5. Increase Memory Limit

Some processes fail due to low memory. Add this line to your wp-config.php:

define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');

6. Review the Debug Log

Open wp-content/debug.log and look for lines containing “Fatal Error” or “Undefined Function” to locate the problem.

7. Check File Permissions

Incorrect file permissions can trigger errors. Recommended permissions:

wp-config.php → 600  
.htaccess → 644  
wp-content → 755

8. Review Server Logs

Use Plesk or Cpanel “Error Logs” to identify server-level issues like “Memory Exhausted” or “500 Internal Server Error”.

Note: If the issue persists, SosyoHost support can analyze your log files and assist with advanced troubleshooting.