Updating plugins on your WordPress site is crucial for security, performance, and compatibility. However, there are times when a simple plugin update can go terribly wrong — resulting in the dreaded White Screen of Death (WSOD). This blank white screen can make it look like your entire website has vanished. While this situation is alarming, the good news is that it’s often fixable with the right steps and a cool head.
TL;DR
The White Screen of Death (WSOD) after a WordPress plugin update usually happens due to PHP errors or plugin conflicts. To fix it, access your site via FTP or hosting file manager and disable all plugins. Then, reactivate them one-by-one through wp-admin or your file manager to identify the culprit. Always make regular backups and test updates in a staging environment to avoid future issues.
Step-by-Step Recovery Guide
Step 1: Verify that the Issue Is WSOD
First, differentiate the WSOD from other common issues like a “500 Internal Server Error” or database connection errors. A true WSOD is just that — a completely blank, white screen with no error messages, no code, nothing.
Try accessing different parts of your site:
- Frontend (Homepage or other URLs): White screen?
- WordPress Admin area (/wp-admin): Also white?
If both fail to load and present blank pages, you’re likely experiencing WSOD.
Step 2: Enable Debugging Mode
To see what’s really going on, enable debugging in your WordPress configuration file:
- Access your site via FTP or your hosting control panel’s File Manager.
- Locate the wp-config.php file in your WordPress root directory.
- Open it and add or edit the following lines:
define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);
This configuration sends all PHP errors and warnings to a debug log file located at /wp-content/debug.log. Examine this file after refreshing the frontend or backend to identify the offending plugin or issue.
Step 3: Access and Disable All Plugins
The fastest way to recover from a WSOD caused by a plugin update is to disable all plugins. You can’t do this through the WordPress admin if you’re locked out, so follow these steps:
Method A: Using FTP or File Manager
- Navigate to /wp-content/ via FTP or File Manager.
- Rename the plugins folder to something like plugins-deactivated.
- Try reloading your site. If it loads, you now know the issue was plugin-related.
Method B: Using WP-CLI (Advanced Users)
If you have command-line access and WP-CLI installed, run:
wp plugin deactivate --all
Step 4: Reactivate Plugins One by One
Once access to wp-admin is restored, you need to identify the troublesome plugin:
- Rename the plugins-deactivated folder back to plugins.
- Reactivate plugins one by one via the WordPress dashboard.
- After each activation, check your site. When it breaks again — you’ve found your culprit.
If you can’t access the admin, you can reactivate plugins using FTP by renaming plugin folders selectively, or by using WP-CLI:
wp plugin activate plugin-name
Step 5: Roll Back the Problematic Plugin
Once you’ve identified the plugin responsible for the WSOD:
- Delete the plugin from your site via FTP or wp-admin.
- Reinstall an older version of the plugin that was working.
- You can download older versions from the plugin’s page on wordpress.org (see the “Advanced View” section).
Step 6: Clear Caches
Sometimes, even after fixing the plugin issue, you’ll still see a white screen due to cached pages. Clear all relevant caches:
- Website caching plugins like WP Super Cache, W3 Total Cache, etc.
- Your hosting provider’s server-side cache (check cPanel or contact support).
- Browser cache — try opening your site in another browser or incognito mode.
- CDN cache such as Cloudflare: Purge it from your dashboard.
Step 7: Restore from Backup (If Needed)
If you cannot resolve the issue or if fixing it seems too time-consuming, reverting to a backup is your best bet.
Most reputable WordPress hosts offer daily backups. Alternatively, you may have used plugins like:
- UpdraftPlus
- BlogVault
- BackupBuddy
Restore the most recent version prior to making the plugin update. Follow your plugin or host’s restore procedure carefully.
Step 8: Report the Issue to the Plugin Developer
To help the wider WordPress community, consider reporting the issue to the plugin’s developer. Provide error logs (from debug.log), PHP version details, and the steps to reproduce the error. This can help the developer release a fix in a newer version.
Pro Tips to Prevent WSOD in the Future
Avoid the sudden shock of WSOD again with these proactive strategies:
- Use a Staging Site: Most good hosts offer one-click staging. Test plugin updates there first.
- Keep Regular Backups: Use plugins or hosting features to maintain frequent, automatic backups.
- Update One Plugin at a Time: After each plugin update, quickly check your site’s frontend.
- Monitor Logs Regularly: Scan debug.log and error logs weekly to catch issues early.
When to Contact Your Hosting Provider
If you’ve followed these steps and the WSOD persists or your FTP access is blocked, reach out to your hosting support team. They may be able to:
- Temporarily disable problematic plugins for you.
- Restore from their automatic backups.
- Offer server-level logs that may provide further insight into PHP or memory errors.
Common Reasons a Plugin Causes WSOD
- PHP Version Incompatibility: Plugin uses functions deprecated in your PHP version.
- Conflicts with Other Plugins or Themes: Incompatibility between components.
- Memory Limit Exhausted: The plugin demands more memory than is available.
- Bug in the Plugin Code: An untested or poorly coded update.
One Last Safety Net: Increase PHP Memory Limit
If your Site Health report complains about memory resources, or if logs mention memory exhaustion, increase WordPress’s PHP memory:
define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
Add this line to your wp-config.php file just above the line that says ‘That’s all, stop editing!’
Conclusion
Seeing your WordPress site go completely white after a plugin update is frustrating, but it’s usually recoverable. By understanding the root causes, using cautious update practices, and leveraging backups and debugging tools, you can minimize downtime and restore site stability quickly.
Always treat plugin updates with the same seriousness as any major production change. By following the recovery guide above, you’re not just fixing an issue — you’re building long-term resilience into your WordPress site.