Guide

# “There Has Been a Critical Error on This Website”: How to Fix WordPress Fast

Your WordPress site shows a critical error or a blank white screen. Here is what causes it, how to find the plugin or theme that broke it, and how to get back online safely.

By the Wisconsin Tech Shop team · Updated October 31, 2026

**Short answer:** The WordPress critical error almost always comes from a plugin or theme that broke, often right after an update, or from a PHP version change. Check the site admin’s email for WordPress’s recovery-mode link, which names the plugin at fault, then deactivate or roll it back and update carefully.

## Common causes

- A plugin or theme update that conflicts with another plugin.
- Your host changed the PHP version.
- A plugin ran out of memory.
- A half-finished update or a corrupted file.
- Less often, malware.

## How to fix it

- **Check email:** WordPress sends the admin address a “technical issue” message with a recovery-mode link.
- **Use recovery mode** to log in and deactivate the plugin or theme it names.
- **No email?** Rename the plugin’s folder in wp-content/plugins using your host’s file manager or SFTP to deactivate it.
- **Check the error log** in your hosting control panel for the exact file.
- **Roll back** the update, or ask your host to switch PHP back, then update more carefully.
- **Back up** before any further changes.

## Preventing the next one

Test updates on a staging copy, keep daily backups, remove plugins you don’t use and avoid automatic updates for critical plugins on busy sites.

Need it fixed now? We repair WordPress sites remotely, usually the same day. See [WordPress emergency repair](https://wisconsintechshop.com/hosting/wordpress-emergency-repair/).

## Frequently asked questions

### Will I lose my website content?

Almost never. The content is in the database; the error is in code. Fixing or removing the broken plugin brings the site back as it was.

### Could the critical error mean I was hacked?

Occasionally. If you see unfamiliar files, admin users or redirects, treat it as a possible hack and have it checked.

## Related services

- [WordPress Emergency Repair (Critical Errors, White Screens & Crashes)](https://wisconsintechshop.com/hosting/wordpress-emergency-repair/): When your WordPress site says “There has been a critical error,” goes blank or won’t load, we find the cause, usually a plugin, theme or PHP update, get you back online fast and make sure it doesn’t happen again. (From $250)
- [Website Updates & Fixes](https://wisconsintechshop.com/web-design/website-updates-fixes/): Broken form, outdated hours, a page that will not load or a site nobody knows how to edit? We fix and update existing websites quickly, on any platform. (From $100)
- [Hacked Website Repair & Malware Removal](https://wisconsintechshop.com/hosting/hacked-website-repair/): Fast cleanup for hacked websites: malware removal, closing the security hole, removing Google warnings and hardening so it does not happen again. (From $225)
- [Website Maintenance Plans](https://wisconsintechshop.com/hosting/website-maintenance-plans/): Monthly care plans that keep your site updated, backed up, secure and improving, with changes handled by someone who knows your site. (Monthly, quoted per site)

## Related quick fixes

- [Website Down](https://wisconsintechshop.com/fix/website-down/)
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- [WordPress Says Your PHP Version Is Outdated](https://wisconsintechshop.com/fix/wordpress-php-update-warning/)

[All tech fixes](https://wisconsintechshop.com/fix/)

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Source: https://wisconsintechshop.com/guides/wordpress-critical-error-fix/
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