TroubleshootingWordPress Issues

Micah Wood@wpscholar

http://wpscholar.com

For Those Who Aren’t Technically Inclined

Types of IssuesRules of Thumb for Classifying Your Problem

Visual

Issue is specific to layout or styling. All data is correct and functionality works as expected.

InteractiveThe issue only occurs after a specific action occurs, an animation is no longer working, or you are unable to interact with a specific element on the page that was previously interactive.

Functional

A web page won’t load or only loads partially. You get a white screen or errors on the page after performing an action that requires a page reload.

Data

The issue is consistent, but isolated to a specific page, section or dataset on the site.

EnvironmentalIssue occurs when no changes were made to the codebase or data. May result in a 500 status code. Issue may be sporadic, unreliably replicated and cannot be attributed to other sources.

Performance

The page loads slowly or elements on the page behave in a sluggish manner.

Security

If it is an issue you notice, it is generally because the site has obvious signs of tampering.

Caching

Issue occurs reliably, except when changing browsers or devices.

Potential SourcesAction Steps to Determine the Source of the Problem

WordPress Core

Test to see of the issue occurs on a clean WordPress install with no plugins and running one of the

default themes.

Theme

Switch to one of the default WordPress themes. If the issue

disappears, the theme is the source.

PluginDisable all plugins; re-enable one at a time, testing the issue after enabling each plugin. If the issue reappears, disable all other plugins and test. Sometimes the issue is due to a combination of plugins.

DataInspect the data and fix obvious issues. Remove the data temporarily to see if the issue persists. Try entering the data another way (e.g. type it out by hand vs. copy and paste).

Caching

Check the site on another computer or browser. Check to see if logging into or out of WordPress gives you different results.

Third Party APILook to see if only data or functionality from the third party source is failing. Visit the third party site to see if it is down or showing an error or maintenance message. If a plugin handles the API, try another similar plugin to make sure it isn’t just the plugin.

Server

It is difficult to isolate server issues when you aren’t technically inclined. If it isn’t anything else, it is likely a server issue.

Next StepsWhat to Do Once You’ve Identified the Source

WordPress Core

Make sure WordPress is up to date. If it is, Report a Bug to WordPress

ThemeMake sure your theme is up to date. If it is, contact the theme developer. If they are unresponsive or unable to

help, find a good WordPress developer or consider switching

themes.

Plugin

Make sure your plugin is up to date. If it is, contact the plugin developer.

If they are unresponsive or unable to help, find a good WordPress developer

or consider switching plugins.

Data

This is usually something you’ve messed up. Fix it yourself or call a

developer if you’re stumped.

CachingIf your web host does caching, flush

the cache. If a WordPress plugin does caching, flush the cache.

Flush your browser cache. Flush everything you can find, including

your toilet.

Third Party API

Wait to see if the issue resolves itself, or try contacting the third

party.

Server

Contact your web host.

Reporting IssuesWhat Developers Need From You To Solve Problems Fast

URL Where Problem Occurs

Steps to Reproduce

Expected Results

Actual Results

Workarounds

Error Messages

Changes Made to the Site

WordPress Version

Theme / Plugin Versions

Supporting InformationOperating system, device, web browser, web host

Screenshots / Screencasts

TroubleshootingWordPress Issues

Micah Wood@wpscholar

http://wpscholar.com

For Those Who Aren’t Technically Inclined