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How to Fix WordPress Critical Error After Update (Simple Step-by-Step Guide)
A WordPress critical error stops your site from loading and shows a simple message: “There has been a critical error on this website.”
This error often appears after a plugin update, theme update, or PHP update.
The good news is that you can fix it easily. In this guide, I will show you clear steps that solve the problem fast.
Why Does the Critical Error Happen?
The critical error appears when something inside WordPress breaks. The most common reasons include:
A plugin conflict
A broken or outdated theme
PHP version incompatibility
Low PHP memory
Corrupted WordPress files
Wrong file changes
Failed updates
These problems stop WordPress from running normally.
Check Your Email for the Recovery Mode Link
When WordPress detects a critical error, it sends an email to the admin email address.
The email includes:
What caused the error
A link to Recovery Mode
Click the link to open your WordPress dashboard even when your site is down.
This is the easiest way to fix the issue.
Deactivate Problematic Plugins
Most critical errors happen due to plugins. Follow these steps:
If you can access the dashboard
Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins
Deactivate the plugin that you updated before the error
If unsure, deactivate all plugins
Activate plugins one by one until you find the one that breaks your site
If you cannot access the dashboard
Open your hosting File Manager or FTP
Go to:wp-content/plugins/
Rename the folder of the plugin you suspect
Example:contact-form-7 → contact-form-7_old
Visit your site again to check if the error is gone
If the site loads, that plugin caused the issue.
Switch to a Default WordPress Theme
Sometimes a theme update causes the WordPress critical error.
If you can access the dashboard
Go to Appearance → Themes
Activate a default theme (Twenty Twenty-Four or later)
If you cannot access the dashboard
Open File Manager / FTP
Go to wp-content/themes
Rename your active theme folder
WordPress will load a default theme automatically
If your site loads now, your theme was the cause.
Revert PHP to a Stable Version
If the error started after changing the PHP version in hosting:
Switch back to PHP 7.4, 8.0, or 8.1
Some plugins or themes do not support higher PHP versions yet
You can do this from your hosting control panel.
This is a common fix for unexpected WordPress errors.
Increase PHP Memory Limit
Low PHP memory causes many WordPress issues.
To increase it:
Open the file:wp-config.php
Add this line before the line that says “That's all, stop editing!”
define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
This gives WordPress more memory and stops many critical errors.
Reinstall WordPress Core Files
If something in the core files is broken, reinstalling fixes it.
Steps:
Download WordPress from the official website
Extract the folder
Upload everything except wp-content
Replace the old files on your server
Your content, themes, and plugins stay safe because only core files are replaced.
Restore Your Site From a Backup
If nothing works, restoring a backup is the final and fastest method.
Use backups from:
Your hosting provider
A backup plugin
A manual backup
Restoring takes only a few minutes and brings your site back online.
Tips to Prevent Critical Errors in the Future
Here are simple steps to avoid this issue again:
Update plugins one by one
Always backup before updates
Use trusted plugins and themes
Keep PHP updated, but not too advanced
Remove unused plugins
Use a stable hosting provider
These small habits protect your site from downtime.
When Should You Contact Your Hosting Provider?
Contact your hosting support if:
You cannot access File Manager
You cannot find the error cause
Your server has permission issues
Your site does not load even after fixing plugins or themes
Good hosting support can fix server-level issues that you cannot.
Final Thoughts
A WordPress critical error looks scary, but it is easy to fix when you follow the right steps.
Most of the time, the problem comes from a plugin, theme, or PHP version.
With the steps in this guide, you can get your site back online quickly and prevent the issue from returning.