Top 10 Reasons Your WordPress Site Is Down (and How to Get It Back Online)

For small businesses, startups, agencies, and solopreneurs, a down website means lost leads, credibility, and revenue. The good news? In most cases, a WordPress site down situation can be resolved quickly—if you know where to look. Here are the most common causes, plus simple fixes to get your site running again.

1. Hosting Issues or Server Downtime

If your WordPress site is unreachable, start by checking your hosting provider. Scheduled maintenance, technical failures, or server overload (due to traffic spikes) are frequent culprits. Your provider’s status page or support team can confirm if it’s a widespread issue[1][2].

How to Fix:

• Visit your hosting provider’s status or dashboard for real-time alerts.
• Contact support if you see ongoing downtime.
• Consider upgrading your hosting plan if traffic spikes are common.

2. Expired or Misconfigured Domain

If visitors see “site not found” errors, your domain registration may have lapsed, or DNS settings are incorrect. Domains must be renewed regularly, and DNS records should always point to your current host[2][3].

How to Fix:

• Verify your domain status with your registrar.
• Update DNS records to match your host’s instructions.
• Renew any expired domains immediately.

3. Plugin Conflicts

Plugins add useful features—but incompatible or outdated plugins can crash your whole site. Symptoms include “white screen of death” or critical errors. Often, adding or updating a plugin just before your site went down is a giveaway[4][5][6].

How to Fix:

• Disable all plugins (through your dashboard or via FTP).
• Reactivate them one by one to pinpoint the problem.
• Remove or replace the conflicting plugin.

4. Broken Theme or Theme Conflict

An incompatible or corrupted theme update can also bring your site down. Switching themes—especially to a poorly coded or outdated one—triggers site errors or blank screens[5][6].

How to Fix:

• Revert to a default WordPress theme (e.g., Twenty Twenty-Four).
• If you cannot access the dashboard, use FTP to rename your theme’s folder.
• Update or replace the broken theme with a stable, supported version.

5. Exceeded Hosting Limits (Bandwidth or Storage)

Small business or starter hosting plans have strict caps. Exceeding bandwidth or storage limits may trigger your provider to take your site offline, especially after viral marketing pushes or new launches[1][2].

How to Fix:

• Upgrade your hosting plan if growth is consistent.
• Use image optimization and caching plugins to reduce resource use.
• Set up alerts for storage and bandwidth usage in your host’s control panel.

6. Corrupted Core Files or Updates

WordPress updates are essential but sometimes get interrupted, causing file corruption. Site crashes or endless loading are common signs[6][3][7].

How to Fix:

• Re-upload WordPress core files from a fresh download via FTP.
• Always back up your site before updating.
• Consider using auto-update plugins that offer rollback features.

7. Database Connection Errors

If you see “Error establishing a database connection,” your site can’t reach its critical data. Possible causes: corrupted database, incorrect credentials, or recent web host migrations[5][7].

How to Fix:

• Double-check your database login details in wp-config.php.
• Repair the database via your hosting control panel or from phpMyAdmin.
• Restore the database from a backup if corruption is severe.

8. Hacked or Compromised Site

Security breaches can take your site offline or fill it with malicious code. Hacks often occur via weak passwords, outdated plugins, or vulnerabilities in themes[1][2].

How to Fix:

• Restore a clean backup ASAP.
• Change all passwords and update users.
• Install a security plugin and consider a firewall for future protection.

9. Incorrect .htaccess File or Permalink Issues

A corrupted .htaccess file (used for permalinks and redirects) can lead to blank pages or inaccessible content. Moving sites or changing URLs can also trigger this[6][2].

How to Fix:

• Rename .htaccess via FTP (WordPress will generate a fresh one).
• Reset permalinks in your WordPress dashboard.
• Double-check all newly added redirects.

10. Expired SSL Certificate

If your site loads with security warnings or not at all, it may be due to an expired SSL certificate. Google Chrome and other browsers will block access or warn visitors, damaging trust.

How to Fix:

• Renew your SSL certificate through your hosting provider or certificate authority.
• Set up auto-renewal whenever possible.
• Test your site with SSL checker tools to confirm everything is working.

Quick Troubleshooting Checklist

• Is your site down for everyone or just you? Use tools like “Is It Down Right Now?”
• Can you access your hosting control panel? If so, start there.
• Do you have a recent backup? Restoring a working version can be the fastest solution[8][7].
• Contact urgent WordPress support if you can’t locate the cause or need immediate results.

What To Do Next: Get Back Online—Fast

Don’t let downtime cost you business. If your WordPress site is down and you can’t resolve it quickly, Urgent WordPress delivers rapid, reliable fixes—so you’re back in business in hours, not days. From emergency troubleshooting to full-speed relaunches, we handle the heavy lifting for you.

Ready to reclaim every lost lead and get your site back online?
Contact us now for expert website rescue, ultra-fast launches, and smart support—so you can focus on what you do best!