Does this match what you’re seeing?
- The page says ‘There has been a critical error on this website’
- An email arrives about ‘Your Site is Experiencing a Technical Issue’
- The error appeared after an update
This is WordPress’s friendlier version of a fatal PHP error. Behind it is a specific error you can read.
1. Check the admin email
WordPress emails the site admin address with the subject Your Site is Experiencing a Technical Issue. It names the plugin or theme and includes a recovery mode link.
2. Use recovery mode
The link logs you in with the faulty plugin or theme paused. Go to Plugins, deactivate or update it, then exit recovery mode.
No email? WordPress mail may not be sending. Continue below.
3. Read the error
Open the domain’s error log in System Info & Files then Site Summary / Statistics / Logs, or enable debug logging. How to turn on WordPress debugging safely The fatal error line includes the file path, pointing to the plugin or theme folder.
4. Disable it manually
In System Info & Files then File Manager, rename the plugin’s folder in wp-content/plugins, for example contact-form-x to contact-form-x-off. The site should load.
Common causes
| Log shows | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
Call to undefined function | Plugin needs a newer or different PHP, or a missing dependency | Update the plugin, or check PHP version |
Allowed memory size exhausted | Out of memory | “Allowed memory size exhausted” in WordPress |
syntax error, unexpected | Code edited incorrectly | Undo the edit or re-upload the original file |
Cannot redeclare | Two plugins, or a plugin and theme, defining the same function | Disable one |
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