WordPress Showing White Screen After Update? Step-by-Step Fix (Beginner Friendly)

You update WordPress, a plugin, or your theme — and suddenly your site is completely white. No error. No warning. Just a blank screen.

If you’re reading this, chances are your WordPress site broke right after an update, and now you’re stuck wondering:

• Is my site hacked?

• Did I lose my data?

• How do I even fix this if I can’t access the dashboard?

Don’t panic. This issue is extremely common and is known as the WordPress White Screen of Death (WSOD).

The good news?
Your content is almost always safe.
This problem is fixable — even for beginners.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through exact, real-world fixes I use daily while fixing WordPress sites for clients. No theory. No fluff. Just practical steps that work.

What Is the WordPress White Screen of Death (WSOD)?

The White Screen of Death happens when WordPress encounters a fatal PHP error but fails to display it.

Instead of showing an error message, WordPress outputs:

• A completely blank page

• A white screen on frontend, backend, or both

This usually occurs immediately after:

• Updating WordPress core

• Updating a plugin

• Updating a theme

• Changing PHP version

• Migrating hosting

Why WordPress Shows a White Screen After an Update

Let’s understand the real causes, not guesses.1. Plugin Conflict (Most Common)

1. A plugin update may:

• Use deprecated PHP functions

• Conflict with another plugin

• Require a higher PHP version

Result: PHP crashes → blank screen.

2. Theme Compatibility Issues

Themes — especially custom or outdated ones — may not support:

• Latest WordPress version

• New PHP versions (8.1 / 8.2)

This often causes admin white screen.

3. PHP Version Mismatch

Hosting providers frequently upgrade PHP automatically.

If your site isn’t compatible:

• Fatal errors occur

• White screen appears

4. Memory Limit Exhausted

Updates often increase memory usage.

When WordPress hits the PHP memory limit:

• Script stops execution

• White screen loads

5. Corrupted Update Files

Interrupted updates can:

• Break core files

• Corrupt plugins/themes

Before You Fix Anything (Important Safety Step)

Do NOT randomly delete files.

First, do this:

Take a Backup (Even If Site Is Broken)

If you have hosting access:

• Use your hosting backup tool

• Or download files via FTP

If you don’t have a backup:
The steps below are safe and non-destructive.

Step 1: Enable WordPress Debug Mode (See the Real Error)

Most people skip this. Don’t. For a more detailed walkthrough, including examples of common errors and how to interpret them, see our guide on how to enable WordPress debug mode to find errors.

How to Enable Debug Mode

1. Connect to your site via FTP or File Manager

2. Open wp-config.php

3. Find this line:

4. Change it to:

5. Save and reload your site.

What This Does

• Displays the actual error

• Helps identify:

  • Plugin name

  • Theme file

  • Missing function

If you now see an error → good!
It means WordPress is alive.

Step 2: Disable All Plugins (Fastest Fix)

If the white screen appeared after a plugin update, this is your fix. If you’re unable to access the WordPress admin area due to the white screen, you’ll need to disable plugins manually. This step-by-step guide shows exactly how to disable WordPress plugins without admin access using FTP or your hosting file manager.

Disable Plugins Without Dashboard

1. Open /wp-content/

2. Rename plugins folder to:

3. Reload your site.

Results:

• Site loads → plugin issue confirmed

• Still white → move to next step

Find the Exact Plugin Causing the Issue

1. Rename folder back to plugins

2. Open it

3. Disable plugins one by one

   • Rename plugin folder

   • Reload site

4. When site works → last plugin = culprit

In some cases, the white screen may also lock you out of the WordPress admin area entirely. If you’re unable to log in or your admin account is inaccessible, follow this step-by-step guide on how to recover a locked WordPress admin account before continuing with further troubleshooting.

Step 3: Switch to a Default Theme

If disabling plugins didn’t help, your theme is likely the issue. If you are unable to access the WordPress admin dashboard to switch themes, you can follow this guide on how to safely change your WordPress theme via the database.

How to Disable Theme via FTP

1. Go to /wp-content/themes/

2. Rename your active theme folder
   Example:

3. WordPress will auto-switch to:

• Twenty Twenty-Three / Twenty Twenty-Four

If the site loads now → theme incompatibility confirmed.

Step 4: Increase PHP Memory Limit

Updates often need more memory than older versions.

Add This to wp-config.php

Save and refresh. If increasing the PHP memory limit doesn’t solve the issue, this guide explains how to fix the “Allowed Memory Size Exhausted” error in WordPress step by step.

Step 5: Check PHP Version (Very Important in 2025)

Many WSOD cases now happen due to PHP 8.1 / 8.2.

What to Do

1. Log into hosting panel

2. Locate PHP Version Manager

3. Temporarily switch to:

   • PHP 8.0 or 7.4

4. Reload site

If it works → update plugins/themes to support newer PHP.

Step 6: Check Error Logs from Hosting

If debug doesn’t show errors, hosting logs will.

Where to Find Logs

• cPanel → Errors

• Hosting → Logs → PHP error log

Look for:

• Fatal error

• Allowed memory size exhausted

• Call to undefined function

Step 7: Reupload WordPress Core Files (Safe Method)

If core files are corrupted:

1. Download fresh WordPress

2. Upload ONLY:

   • /wp-admin

   • /wp-includes

Do NOT touch:

• wp-content

• wp-config.php

This fixes many silent WSOD cases.

Step 8: Check .htaccess File

Rename .htaccess to:

Then reload site.

If it works:

• Go to Settings → Permalinks → Save

When You Should STOP DIY Fixes

You should stop and get help if:

• WSOD affects admin + frontend

• Site is WooCommerce with live orders

• Errors mention database or core functions

• You’re unsure about FTP changes

Trying random fixes can make it worse. This guide focuses on fixing the white screen issue specifically after WordPress updates. However, the white screen of death can also occur due to other reasons such as server misconfigurations, fatal theme errors, or database-related problems. If your issue is not update-related, you can follow this complete guide on fixing the WordPress white screen of death that covers all possible scenarios in detail.

How I Fix White Screen Issues for Clients

When clients contact me for WSOD, I:

• Identify error within minutes

• Fix without data loss

• Restore site same day

• Prevent it from happening again

If your WordPress site is still blank, you can reach out for fast WordPress emergency support — no upsells, no long contracts.

How to Prevent White Screen After Future Updates

• Always update plugins one by one

• Avoid abandoned plugins

• Keep PHP version compatible

• Use staging site if possible

• Don’t auto-update everything blindly

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is the WordPress White Screen of Death permanent?

No. In almost all cases, your data is safe and recoverable.

Can a plugin update alone break WordPress?

Yes. Even well-known plugins can conflict after updates.

Does WSOD mean my site is hacked?

Usually no. WSOD is mostly caused by PHP errors, not hacks. Sometimes, site owners panic and assume the white screen means their WordPress site is hacked. In reality, most white screen issues are caused by plugin conflicts or PHP errors. However, if you notice strange behavior like unknown users being created automatically, that’s a different issue and should be handled immediately. You can follow this guide to stop WordPress from auto-creating spam users before it compromises your site.

Can I fix WSOD without FTP access?

Sometimes — but FTP or hosting access makes fixing much easier.

Will reinstalling WordPress delete my content?

No, if done correctly. Never delete wp-content.

How long does it take to fix WSOD?

Anywhere from 10 minutes to 1 hour depending on cause.