The WordPress White Screen of Death is exactly what it sounds like: you open your site or dashboard and get a completely blank page. No error message, no layout, nothing. It happens when PHP stops with an error before WordPress can display anything, and error messages are hidden from visitors.

Newer WordPress versions usually show “There has been a critical error on this website” instead, but a true blank screen still happens, especially when the failure occurs before WordPress’s error handling loads, or when a cache keeps serving an empty page.

What causes the WordPress white screen of death?

  • A plugin or theme error, often right after an update
  • PHP running out of memory
  • An error in custom code, such as an edit to functions.php
  • A cache or CDN serving a blank page saved while the site was broken
  • A failed update that left files incomplete

Step 1: Check whether it’s the whole site

Open the home page, a few inner pages and /wp-admin in a private browser window. If only the dashboard is blank, suspect an admin-only plugin. If only one page is blank, suspect something used on that page, such as a page builder element or shortcode. If everything is blank, work through all the steps below.

Step 2: Clear the cache

If you use a caching plugin, server cache or a CDN such as Cloudflare, purge it. A cache can keep serving a blank page long after the underlying problem is gone. If the site returns after purging, the white screen was temporary; still check the error log to see what caused it.

Step 3: Turn on debugging

Add these lines to wp-config.php above “That’s all, stop editing!”, reload the blank page and read wp-content/debug.log:

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

The last entries normally point to the plugin, theme or file at fault. If you see Allowed memory size exhausted, go to step 6. The WordPress handbook’s debugging guide explains each of these settings.

If debug.log stays empty, the error is happening before WordPress loads, for example a typo in wp-config.php or a server problem. In that case, check the PHP error log in your hosting panel, usually under Logs or Errors.

Step 4: Disable plugins

Rename wp-content/plugins to plugins-off using File Manager or SFTP. If the site comes back, log in and open Plugins → Installed Plugins so WordPress records them as deactivated. Then rename the folder back to plugins and reactivate plugins one at a time until the screen goes white again. With SSH, use WP-CLI: wp plugin deactivate --all.

Step 5: Switch to a default theme

Rename your active theme’s folder in wp-content/themes/ so WordPress falls back to an installed default theme. If the site loads, the theme or code added to it is the problem. Undo any recent edits to functions.php.

Step 6: Raise the PHP memory limit

If the log shows a memory error, follow our guide to the PHP memory limit error. It covers the wp-config.php setting and when you need your host to raise the server limit.

Step 7: Check the PHP version

A PHP upgrade by your host is a common cause of the WordPress white screen of death: an older plugin or theme may call a function the new PHP version has removed. If the blank page appeared without any change on your side, check the PHP version in your hosting panel, or under Tools → Site Health → Info → Server if the dashboard still loads.

Switch back to the previous version as a short-term fix, then update or replace the plugin named in the error log. WordPress.org lists the recommended PHP version for current releases.

Step 8: Restore a backup

If the white screen followed a failed update and you can’t isolate the cause, restore your last working backup, then apply updates one at a time on a staging site.

How to prevent the WordPress white screen of death

  • Test updates on staging before applying them to the live site.
  • Never edit functions.php directly on a live site; use a child theme or a code snippets plugin.
  • Keep automatic backups you can restore quickly.
  • Use hosting with enough PHP memory for your plugins and page builder.

Our WordPress maintenance plan covers tested updates, backups and monitoring, with 24×7 technical support. If a hacked site is causing the blank page, see our malware cleanup service. For other errors, see the most common WordPress errors.

Frequently asked questions

Is the white screen of death the same as the critical error message?

They usually have the same cause, a fatal PHP error. The difference is whether WordPress managed to show its error notice. The fixes are the same.

Why is only the admin dashboard white?

A plugin that loads only in the dashboard is the most likely cause. Disable plugins one at a time to find it.

Can a hacked site cause a white screen?

Yes. Malicious code injected into theme or core files can break PHP and blank the page. If you find unfamiliar code or files, treat it as a security incident.