I can not access my WordPress blog: What to do?

It has happened to everyone, newbies and experienced WordPress users, that their website is unavailable to both them and their visitors. We all know the economic consequences that will have. There is one thing you should keep in mind: Downtime happens to everyone sooner or later (Especially if your blog is active). You must therefore prepare to act accordingly.

Read also our article on What to do if your blog makes you sick?

And in those moments, when your blog doesn't show up, or when the login page doesn't show up either, you may immediately think that the spell is going after you, it can mean more spending (to hire a developer), More hassle, but mostly no revenues.

Actually, you can correct this error yourself, and that is the reason for this tutorial. You are ready ?

But before you start, take the time to take a look at How to install a WordPress theme, How many plugins to install on WordPress.

Then let's get to work!

Make sure your website no longer works

When it comes to determining what is wrong with your website, you should start step by step, gradually reducing the elements that could have made your website unavailable.

The first thing to do is to make sure your website does not work. You must therefore have several browsers, and check that the unavailability problem is not related to your internet connection (or access provider). So there are two tools you can use for this:

« Down For Every One or Just Me "(Unavailable for all or just me?). It is a website where you will add the link to your website. If the website works, you will see a notice " it's just you… ", otherwise " it's not just you ».

« Is This Site Down? Another website that plays the same role. You provide an address, and it checks whether the website is available or not.

If your website is available, then you can go to the next step.

What can cause this unavailability?

When it comes to finding out what is causing the unavailability of your website, there are several topics and scenarios that could take place. The most common are:

• An expired domain
• Incomplete updates
• A conflict between plugins
• An unavailable server
• Hosting problem
• Attack Dos / DDos

We will examine each point:

1. Your domain has expired

I know, it could be almost obvious, but do not forget that we are here to evaluate all possibilities, and it starts with your domain. In simple terms your domain, that is, is the specific address through which users are able to reach your website. If you purchased the domain some time ago, then its registration may have expired.

To be 100% sure that your domain name is still active, you have two options: search for the expiration email for your domain or simply do a quick WHOIS test, in order to obtain this information in a few seconds. So just go to a website like who.is where you specify your domain:

2. Incomplete update

WordPress is a powerful tool for building websites, so it now powers more than 1/4 of the websites on the internet. To maintain this power, it needs regular updates. And when the updates don't run normally, things can get catastrophic, and you understand why I insist on always making backups.

It's not a big deal anyway. You must first define " WP_DEBUG To "true" in wp-config.php. If you see a message that appears you will be able to adjust your restore method (contact us if you can not do it yourself). There is a way to fix things, however, or at least get what's left of it:

• Retrieve the current backup of your database
• Save the files found in the "wp-content" folder
• If necessary, retrieve any manual changes or modifications that may be lost

Now, do a new installation of WordPress by removing all (you can first make a redirect on your domain for all those who access it, by sending them on a maintenance page).

Once you've installed everything, make a backup of the new database, then delete it via phpMyAdmin. Add your old database and make sure the information matches the file " wp-config.php " Try to access your website when you have done everything (do not forget to remove the redirect).

If the website is unavailable, you must restore the new installation and partially fill your database with fractions of SQL code from your previous backup (contact a professional, it's more informed).

If everything is working normally, then start installing your plugins. Each time, make a backup. If during the installation of a plugin, the website becomes unavailable again, you will know what is causing it.

3. A conflict between plugins

Two plugins can have the same functions. When this is the case, it usually causes an error that prevents your website from functioning properly. In this case, what you need to do is disable all plugins and activate them as you go. By activating WP_DEBUG " sure " true " in the file " wp_config.php You will be able to see the origin of the problem. This applies to parent and child themes.

Also read this tutorial to know: how to disable all plugins on your blog.

4. Your server is no longer functioning normally

If none of the previous scenarios apply to your website, now is the time to take a look at the server. Do you remember what I told you about the variety of accommodations needed for your blog?

Depending on the choice you make, your server website will expect to receive some traffic. When it reaches saturation, it generally becomes unavailable. So you need to know what type of hosting is best for your website.

5. You suffer a Dos / DDos attack

According to Wikipedia, a denial of service attack (denial of service attack, hence the abbreviation DoS) is a computer attack aimed at rendering a service unavailable, preventing legitimate users of a service from using it (Source).

So do not have powerful tools to make a website unavailable. You must therefore set up a firewall that will allow you to prevent this type of attack. Several solutions will protect you against this type of attack. This is the case of Sucuribut also tools like " WPWSS ».

In most cases, after you put DDos protection, your website should be available (it may take some time). You will need to contact your hosting provider.

Discover also some premium WordPress plugins  

You can use other WordPress plugins to give a modern appearance and to optimize the handling of your blog or website.

We offer you here some premium WordPress plugins that will help you do that.