How to Fix the White Screen of Death in WordPress (Step-by-Step Guide)

The “White Screen of Death” is a common WordPress issue where your website or admin page loads only a blank white screen. No error message, no warning — just white.
This usually happens when WordPress is interrupted while running code from a plugin, theme, or low memory environment.

The good news is that this problem is fixable without needing to reinstall WordPress or restore backups. Follow the steps below in order.

1. Turn On Debug Mode

This helps WordPress show the real error instead of a blank screen.

1. Open your hosting File Manager.
2. Open your website folder (usually public_html).
3. Find the file: wp-config.php
4. Right-click and choose Edit.
5. Find this line:

define( ‘WP_DEBUG’, false );

6. Change it to:

define( ‘WP_DEBUG’, true );

7. Save the file and refresh your website.

If an error message shows now, note the plugin or theme name mentioned.

2. Disable All Plugins

If debug mode doesn’t identify a plugin, disable them all to test.

1. Go to: wp-content
2. Find the folder named: plugins
3. Rename it to: plugins-old
4. Refresh your website.

If the site works now, a plugin caused the issue.

To find the broken plugin:

• Rename plugins-old back to plugins
• Rename each plugin folder one-by-one
• Refresh the site each time
• The plugin that breaks the site is the problem
  Remove it or replace it.

3. Switch to a Default Theme

If plugins are not the problem, test your theme.

1. Go to: wp-content/themes
2. Find your active theme folder.
3. Rename it (for example: theme-old).

WordPress will automatically switch to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Four.

If the site loads now, your theme caused the issue.

4. Increase WordPress Memory Limit

If the screen is still white, increase WordPress memory.

1. Edit wp-config.php again.
2. Add this line above the “stop editing” line:

define( ‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’ );

3. Save and refresh the site.

5. Turn Debug Mode Off (Optional)

Once the site is working again, turn off debug mode:

define( ‘WP_DEBUG’, false );

Quick Fix Summary

Enable debug:
define( ‘WP_DEBUG’, true );

Disable plugins:
Rename /wp-content/plugins to plugins-old

Switch theme:
Rename your active theme folder in /wp-content/themes

Increase memory:
define( ‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’ );

Conclusion

A completely blank white screen looks serious, but the cause is usually simple. By enabling debug mode, checking plugins and themes, and increasing memory, you can fix the issue without losing any website data.

Follow the steps calmly and your website should return to normal.