🛠️ WordPress Bug Fixing: Complete Guide to Solving Your Problems

Why WordPress Bugs Are Inevitable? (and How to Handle Them)

A WordPress bug can arise at any time: after an update, due to a plugin conflict, or even without any apparent cause. Whether you are a blogger, entrepreneur, or developer, it is essential to know how to diagnose and efficiently fix these errors. As a WordPress developer at BeDOM - Web Solutions, I am sharing here the concrete techniques I use to identify and fix bugs on WordPress, while securing your site for the long term.

🔍 Identify the Type of WordPress Bug

Before diving into resolving a bug, it is crucial to fully understand the nature of the problem. Here is a detailed exploration of the different types of bugs you may encounter on WordPress:

Loading Problem

Error 500

Description: The 500 Internal Server Error is one of the most common and frustrating issues. It indicates that there is a problem with the server, but does not specify the exact cause.

• File .htaccess corrupted: A file .htaccess misconfigured can cause a 500 error. Try renaming it temporarily to see if that resolves the issue.
• PHP memory limit: Your site may be lacking memory to perform certain tasks. Increase the memory limit in your file. wp-config.php with There is no translation needed for this line of code as it is already in English..
• Incompatible plugins or themes: Deactivate all plugins and change the theme to see if the problem persists.

White Screen of Death (WSoD)

Description: A blank screen without an error message can be confusing.

• Plugin conflicts: Disable all plugins to see if the white screen disappears.
• Problematic theme: Switch to a default theme such as Twenty Twenty-Four.
• Syntax error: Check the recent changes in the PHP files.

Slowness

Description: A site that loads slowly can be due to several factors.

• Heavy plugins: Some plugins can consume a lot of resources. Use tools like Query Monitor to identify problematic plugins.
• Non-optimized database: Use WP-Optimize to clean and optimize your database.
• Insufficient accommodation: Consider upgrading your hosting plan if your site has a lot of traffic.

Visual Problem

Broken CSS

Description: When the visual style of your site is disrupted, it may be due to broken CSS.

• Conflicts between themes and plugins: Disable the plugins one by one to identify the culprit.
• Bad update: A theme or plugin update may have overwritten important CSS files.

Displaced Elements

Description: If elements of your site are not in their usual place, this may be due to layout issues.

• Custom CSS modifications: Check the recent changes in the custom CSS.
• Responsiveness issues: Test your site on different devices to identify layout issues.

Functional Bug

Form that No Longer Works

Description: Forms are essential for user interaction. A form that no longer works can harm the user experience.

• JavaScript Conflicts: Use the browser's console to identify JavaScript errors.
• Form plugin issues: Check the settings and updates of your form plugin.

Inactive Button

Description: A button that does not respond can be frustrating for users.

• JavaScript Errors: Check the console for JavaScript errors.
• Compatibility issues: Ensure that the button is compatible with the current version of your browser and WordPress.

Administration Problem

Unable to Connect

Description: Being unable to access your WordPress dashboard can be alarming.

• Security plugin issues: Disable the security plugins to see if this resolves the issue.
• Database errors: Use phpMyAdmin to check for errors in the database.

Critical Error

Description: A critical error may prevent access to certain administration features.

• Plugin conflicts: Disable all the plugins to identify the culprit.
• Theme issues: Switch to a default theme.

Tip: Reproduce the error in incognito mode and on another browser to rule out cache issues.

🔍 Enable WordPress Debug Mode

When you encounter a bug on your WordPress site, enabling debug mode can provide you with valuable information to identify the source of the problem. Here is a detailed guide on how to activate and use debug mode effectively:

Why Activate Debug Mode ?

The WordPress debug mode is an essential tool for developers. It allows them to:

• Identify the errors: By displaying PHP errors, warnings, and notices, you can pinpoint exactly where the problem is occurring.
• Record the errors: Errors are logged in a file, allowing them to be reviewed without displaying error messages on the production site.
• Improve development: By understanding the errors, you can fix bugs more quickly and improve the stability of your site.

How to Activate Debug Mode ?

To activate debug mode, you need to modify the file wp-config.php, which is located at the root of your WordPress installation. Follow these steps:

1. Access the file wp-config.php :
   • Use an FTP client like FileZilla or your host's file management interface to access your server.
   • Find the file wp-config.php in the root directory of your WordPress installation.
2. Modify the file wp-config.php :
   • Download the file to your computer and open it with a text editor such as Notepad++ or Visual Studio Code.
   • Add or modify the following lines to enable debug mode:

   ```php
   // Enable debug mode
   define('WP_DEBUG', true);
   
   // Log errors to a file
   define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
   
   // Disable error display on the site
   define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);

3. Save and upload the file:
   • Save the changes and upload the file wp-config.php modified on your server, replacing the old file.

What Does Each Directive Do ?

• WP_DEBUG : When it is set to true, this directive activates the debug mode of WordPress. PHP errors will be logged.
• WP_DEBUG_LOG : When it is set to true, this directive logs all errors into a file named debug.log, located in the directory wp-content.
• WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY : When it is set to false, this directive prevents error messages from being displayed on your site. This is crucial to ensure that visitors do not see error messages.

Analyze the File debug.log

Once the debug mode is enabled, WordPress will log all errors in the file debug.log. Here is how to analyze it:

1. Access the file debug.log :
   • Use your FTP client or the file management interface to access the directory wp-content of your WordPress installation.
   • Download the file debug.log on your computer.
2. Open and analyze the file:
   • Open the file debug.log with a text editor.
   • Look for the logged errors, warnings, and notices. Each entry contains a timestamp, the type of error, and a descriptive message.
3. Identify and correct the errors:
   • Use the information from the file debug.log to identify problematic files or lines of code.
   • Correct the errors in your code or disable the problematic plugins/themes.

Best Practices

• Disable debug mode in production: Once the bugs have been fixed, disable the debug mode by setting WP_DEBUG on false to avoid any impact on performance.
• Back up your site: Before making any changes, make sure to back up your site to avoid any data loss.
• Test in development environment: Use a test environment to enable debug mode and make changes, so as not to affect your production site.

🔍 Check the Server Logs and the Browser Console

Use your hosting panel (cPanel, Plesk) or FTP to access the file. error_log. You can also inspect JavaScript errors using your browser's development tool (F12 > Console).

Access Server Logs

Server logs contain crucial information about errors that occur on the server side. Here's how to access them:

1. Use the hosting control panel:
   • Log in to your hosting panel (cPanel, Plesk, etc.).
   • Search the section for files or logs.
   • Find and download the file. error_log to analyze it.
2. Using FTP:
   • Connect to your server via an FTP client like FileZilla.
   • Navigate to the directory where the logs are located (often in the root directory or a folder Logs).
   • Download the file error_log on your computer.

Analyze JavaScript Errors

JavaScript errors can cause functionality issues on your site. Here’s how to identify them:

1. Open the browser console:
   • Open your site in a browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc.).
   • Press on F12 or right-click and select "Inspect".
   • Go to the "Console" tab.
2. Identify the errors:
   • Look for the error messages in red in the console.
   • Note the files and lines of code mentioned in the error messages.
3. Correct the errors:
   • Use the information from the console to locate and fix errors in your JavaScript files.
   • Test your site after making the corrections to ensure that the errors are resolved.

Recommended Plugins

To facilitate the analysis of logs and errors, you can use WordPress plugins:

• Query Monitor: This plugin allows you to visualize database queries, hooks, PHP errors, and much more.
• WP Log Viewer: This plugin allows you to view WordPress logs directly from the dashboard.

By using these tools and methods, you can identify and correct errors more effectively, thereby improving the stability and performance of your WordPress site.

🔌 Disable Plugins and Themes

Conflicts between extensions are common. Here is the procedure to identify and resolve these conflicts:

Disable Plugins

Plugins can often conflict with each other. Follow these steps to identify the problematic plugin:

1. Disable all plugins via the back office:
   • Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
   • Go to "Extensions" > "Installed Extensions".
   • Check the "Select All" box to select all plugins.
   • In the "Bulk actions" dropdown menu, select "Disable" and click "Apply".
2. Disable plugins via FTP:
   • Connect to your server via an FTP client like FileZilla.
   • Navigate to the directory wp-content.
   • Rename the folder Plugins in something like plugins_old.
   • This will disable all plugins. If the problem is resolved, you will know that a plugin is the cause.
3. Reactivate the plugins one by one:
   • Reactivate each plugin one by one through the dashboard.
   • After each activation, check if the problem reappears.
   • Once the problematic plugin is identified, leave it deactivated or find an alternative.

Switch to a Default Theme

Themes can also cause conflicts. Here is how to switch to a default theme to identify if the theme is the source of the issue:

1. Change the theme via the back office:
   • Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
   • Go to "Appearance" > "Themes".
   • Activate a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Four.
2. Change theme via FTP:
   • Log in to your server via an FTP client.
   • Navigate to the directory wp-content/themes.
   • Rename the folder of your active theme to something like theme_old.
   • WordPress will automatically switch to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Four.
3. Test the site:
   • After changing the theme, check if the problem is resolved.
   • If the problem persists, it is likely that the theme is not the cause.

By following these steps, you can identify and resolve conflicts between plugins and themes, thereby improving the stability of your WordPress site.

🧪 Create a Test Environment

Never touch your production site without a backup! Clone your site locally with LocalWP or use a subdomain/staging environment to test the fixes.

Why Create a Test Environment ?

A test environment allows you to:

• Test safely: You can make changes and test fixes without affecting your production site.
• Identify the problems: You can reproduce the bugs and test solutions without risk.
• Prepare the updates: Test updates for plugins, themes, and WordPress before applying them to your live site.

Clone Your Site Locally

Using a local environment allows you to work offline and perform quick tests. Here's how to proceed:

1. Install LocalWP:
   • Download and install LocalWP on your computer.
   • Follow the installation instructions to set up the local environment.
2. Clone your site:
   • Use a migration plugin like Duplicator to create a copy of your site.
   • Download the package generated by Duplicator.
   • Import the package into LocalWP to create a local copy of your site.
3. Test the changes:
   • Make the necessary changes on your local site.
   • Test the fixes and ensure everything works as expected.

Use a Subdomain or a Staging Site

If you prefer to test online, you can use a subdomain or a staging site. Here's how:

1. Create a subdomain:
   • Access your hosting panel and create a subdomain (for example, test.votresite.com).
   • Use a migration plugin to clone your site onto the subdomain.
2. Use a staging site:
   • Some hosting providers offer integrated staging features. Enable this feature to create a copy of your site.
   • Make the necessary changes on the staging site and test them.

Useful Plugins

To facilitate the creation of a test environment, you can use the following plugins:

• Duplicator: This plugin allows you to create a complete copy of your site to migrate it to a test environment.
• WP Staging: This plugin allows you to create a staging site with one click, making testing and modifications easier.

By using a testing environment, you can safely test patches and updates, thus ensuring the stability of your production site.

🛠️ Fix the Identified WordPress Bug

Once the bug is isolated, apply the fix:

Manual Update of a Plugin or Theme

If the bug is caused by an outdated plugin or theme, a manual update may resolve the issue:

1. Download the latest version:
   • Go to the official website of the plugin or theme.
   • Download the latest version of the ZIP file.
2. Disable the current plugin or theme:
   • Through the WordPress dashboard, disable the plugin or temporarily switch to another theme.
3. Install the new version:
   • Through the dashboard, go to "Plugins" > "Add New" or "Appearance" > "Themes" and upload the ZIP file.
   • Activate the updated plugin or theme.

Modification of a Faulty PHP, JS, or CSS File

If the bug is due to an error in a specific file, you might need to modify the code:

1. Access the files:
   • Use an FTP client or your host's file management interface to access your site's files.
2. Modify the file:
   • Download the problematic file to your computer.
   • Open it with a text editor and make the necessary changes.
3. Upload the modified file:
   • Upload the modified file to your server, replacing the old file.

Removal of a Call to an Obsolete Function

If the bug is caused by an obsolete function, you will need to delete or replace it:

1. Identify the obsolete function:
   • Check the error logs to identify the problematic function.
2. Replace or remove the function:
   • Modify the relevant file to remove the call to the obsolete function.
   • If an alternative exists, replace the old function with the new one.

Database Cleaning

Regular cleaning of the database can improve your site's performance.

1. Using WP-Optimize:
   • Install and activate the WP-Optimize plugin.
   • Go to "Tools" > "WP-Optimize" and perform a full database cleanup.
2. Check the tables:
   • Use phpMyAdmin to access your database.
   • Check and repair the corrupted tables if necessary.

By applying these fixes, you can resolve the bugs and improve the stability and performance of your WordPress site.

🔒 Prevent Future Problems

Fixing a bug is not enough; it needs to be secured:

Automatic Backup

Setting up regular automatic backups is essential to protect your site against data loss.

• Use a backup plugin: Install a plugin like UpdraftPlus to automate backups of your site.
• Configure backups: Define a backup frequency (daily, weekly) and choose a secure storage location (cloud, remote server).
• Test the backups: Regularly perform restoration tests to ensure that the backups function correctly.

Staging System Before Deployment

Using a staging environment allows you to test changes before applying them to your production site.

• Create a staging site: Use a plugin like WP Staging to create a copy of your site.
• Test the changes: Make the necessary changes on the staging site and test them before applying them to your production site.

Regular Audit of Installed Extensions

Conducting regular audits of installed extensions helps maintain the security and performance of your site:

• Check for updates: Make sure all your plugins and themes are up to date.
• Disable unused extensions: Deactivate and delete the plugins and themes that you do not use.
• Check compatibility: Ensure that all extensions are compatible with your version of WordPress.

Monitoring Uptime

Monitoring your site's uptime allows you to quickly detect and resolve availability issues.

• Use a monitoring service: Use tools like Jetpack or UptimeRobot to monitor your site's uptime.
• Set up alerts: Set up alerts to be immediately notified in case of downtime.

By implementing these preventive measures, you can enhance the security and stability of your WordPress site and prevent future issues.

🆘 Need help? Call a WordPress developer

Sometimes, the time spent searching for a bug exceeds the cost of a professional service. At BeDOM - Web Solutions, we fix your WordPress bugs with method, transparency, and efficiency.

👉 Access the WordPress bug fixing service on ComeUp