WordPress Debugging Steps

1. Check for Plugin Conflict #

A faulty or incompatible plugin is one of the most common reasons wp-admin fails.

Steps: #

1. Connect to your website using cPanel → File Manager or FTP.
2. Go to:
   /wp-content/plugins/
3. Rename the folder to something like:
   plugins_backup
4. Try logging into wp-admin again.
   • If the dashboard works, the issue is caused by a plugin.
5. Restore the plugins folder name and disable plugins one-by-one to find the problematic one.

2. Check for Theme Conflict #

Sometimes the active theme may cause PHP errors that block access to wp-admin.

Steps: #

1. Connect using File Manager/FTP.
2. Go to:
   /wp-content/themes/
3. Rename your active theme folder (e.g., astra → astra_old).
4. WordPress will automatically switch to a default theme (e.g., Twenty Twenty-Four).
5. Try accessing wp-admin again.
   • If it works, the theme is the issue.

3. Enable WordPress Debug Mode #

Debug mode helps identify PHP errors stopping wp-admin.

Steps: #

1. Open the wp-config.php file.
2. Find the line: define( 'WP_DEBUG', false );
3. Change it to: define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );
define( 'WP_DEBUG_LOG', true );
define( 'WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false );
4. Save changes.
5. Check the debug log here:
   /wp-content/debug.log

This file will show the exact error causing wp-admin failure.

4. Enable “Advanced PHP Error” Display (Hosting Panel) #

If your hosting panel provides an Advanced PHP Error Display or Show PHP Errors option, enable it.

Steps: #

1. Log in to your hosting dashboard (e.g., cPanel).
2. Locate the Advance ->PHP Settings->PHP Info or Select PHP Version section.
3. Look for options like:
   • Display Errors
   • Show PHP Errors
   • Advanced PHP Error Reporting
4. Toggle it ON.
5. Reload your website or wp-admin to view the error details.

5. Clear Cache #

Sometimes cached files block admin access.

Steps: #

• Clear server cache
• Clear plugin cache (if accessible)
• Clear browser cache
• If using Cloudflare, purge everything

6. Check File/Folder Permissions #

Incorrect permissions may block wp-admin.

Use these recommended permissions:

• Files: 644
• Folders: 755
• wp-config.php: 600

7. Check .htaccess File #

Corrupted .htaccess may cause admin login failure.

Steps: #

# BEGIN WordPress
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
</IfModule>

# END WordPress