Introduction
The message:
There has been a critical error on this website.
is one of the most common WordPress errors.
This message usually appears when WordPress encounters a fatal error and cannot continue loading the website.
The error may affect:
- The public website
- The WordPress administration area
- Both the website and administration area
This guide explains the most common causes and troubleshooting steps.
Common Causes
Critical errors are most commonly caused by:
- Plugin conflicts
- Theme conflicts
- Failed updates
- PHP compatibility issues
- Corrupted WordPress files
- Custom code errors
Step 1 – Determine When the Error Started
Consider whether any recent changes were made.
Examples:
- Installing a plugin
- Updating a plugin
- Updating WordPress
- Updating a theme
- Adding custom code
Recent changes often identify the source of the problem.
Step 2 – Check Whether the Administration Area Loads
Visit: https://yourdomain.co.za/wp-admin (Replace yourdomain.co.za with your own domain name.)
If the administration area still loads, troubleshooting is usually much easier.
Step 3 – Disable Recently Updated Plugins
If the problem occurred after installing or updating a plugin:
From the WordPress Dashboard
Click: Plugins
Then click: Installed Plugins
Deactivate the most recently updated or installed plugin.
Test the website again.
Step 4 – Switch to a Default Theme
If the problem occurred after updating or changing a theme:
From the WordPress Dashboard
Click: Appearance
Then click: Themes
Activate a default WordPress theme such as:
- Twenty Twenty-Four
- Twenty Twenty-Three
- Twenty Twenty-Two
Test the website again.
Step 5 – Access WordPress Through WordPress Manager
Open your browser and visit: https://cp.yourdomain.co.za
Enter your DirectAdmin username and password.
Click: Log In
Click: Extra Features
Then click: WordPress Manager by Softaculous
Locate your WordPress installation.
Click: Login
If access is available, review recently updated plugins and themes.
Step 6 – Restore a Backup
If the website was functioning correctly before recent changes were made, restoring a backup may be the quickest solution.
Open WordPress Manager.
Locate your WordPress installation.
Click: Restore
Select a backup created before the problem occurred.
Click: Restore Installation
Allow the restoration process to complete.
Step 7 – Test the Website
After restoring or correcting the issue:
Verify that:
- The homepage loads.
- Pages display correctly.
- Images display correctly.
- Contact forms function correctly.
- The administration area is accessible.
Common Causes Explained
Plugin Conflicts
Plugins occasionally conflict with:
- WordPress updates
- Themes
- Other plugins
This is one of the most common causes of critical errors.
Theme Problems
Themes can cause critical errors if:
- Theme files become corrupted
- The theme is outdated
- A theme update fails
PHP Compatibility Issues
Some plugins and themes may not be compatible with newer PHP versions.
Compatibility issues can trigger fatal errors.
Failed Updates
Interrupted updates can leave files incomplete and cause WordPress to fail during loading.
Best Practices
To reduce the risk of critical errors:
- Create backups before updates.
- Keep WordPress updated.
- Keep plugins updated.
- Keep themes updated.
- Remove unused plugins.
- Remove unused themes.
- Test major changes before applying them to a live website.
When to Contact Support
Contact support if:
- The website remains inaccessible.
- Restoring a backup does not resolve the issue.
- Multiple websites are affected.
- No recent changes were made.
Provide:
- The website address
- Any error messages displayed
- Details of recent changes
This information can assist with troubleshooting.
Conclusion
The "There has been a critical error on this website" message is usually caused by a plugin, theme or update-related issue.
By reviewing recent changes, disabling problematic components and restoring backups where necessary, the issue can often be resolved quickly and safely.
