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Website Not Loading

This guide helps you diagnose and resolve issues when your website is down.
We cover all common causes, how to identify them, and precise steps to fix them.

DNS or Domain Issues

Causes:​

  • A or CNAME records pointing to wrong server.
  • Domain not yet propagated after DNS change.
  • Incorrect nameservers.

How to Diagnose:​

  • Use tools like dig or nslookup to check DNS records.
  • Verify your domain points to the correct IP.
  • Check propagation status (can take up to 24 hours).

How to Fix:​

  1. Correct DNS records in your hosting panel.
  2. Ensure nameservers match your hosting provider.
  3. Wait for full DNS propagation.
  4. Test from multiple networks to confirm access.
Server Issues

Causes:​

  • Hosting server is down or under maintenance.
  • High CPU, RAM, or disk usage causing service interruptions.
  • Web server misconfiguration (Apache/Nginx).

How to Diagnose:​

  • Check server status in your hosting panel or dashboard.
  • Review server resource usage (CPU, RAM, disk).
  • Look at web server logs for errors.

How to Fix:​

  1. Restart the web server or entire hosting service if possible.
  2. Optimize resource usage (reduce heavy scripts, caching, or upgrade plan).
  3. Contact support if server is unreachable or misconfigured.
PHP or WordPress Errors

Causes:​

  • PHP syntax errors in theme or plugin files.
  • Plugin conflicts or incompatible theme.
  • Memory limits reached (PHP memory_limit).

How to Diagnose:​

  • Enable WordPress debug mode (wp-config.php → WP_DEBUG true).
  • Review PHP error logs via hosting panel.
  • Disable plugins/themes one by one to isolate the issue.

How to Fix:​

  1. Fix any reported PHP syntax errors.
  2. Deactivate problematic plugin or switch to default theme.
  3. Increase PHP memory limit if needed.
  4. Restore from backup if the website was broken after an update.
SSL Issues

Causes:​

  • Expired SSL certificate.
  • Misconfigured HTTPS redirects.
  • Mixed content (HTTP resources on HTTPS site).

How to Diagnose:​

  • Test site using https:// in browser and online SSL checker tools.
  • Check for mixed content warnings in browser console.

How to Fix:​

  1. Renew or reinstall SSL certificate.
  2. Fix HTTPS redirects in hosting panel.
  3. Update all links to HTTPS to prevent mixed content.
File or Database Issues

Causes:​

  • Missing or corrupted website files.
  • Database connection errors (wrong credentials, server down).
  • File permissions preventing website from loading.

How to Diagnose:​

  • Check file structure via hosting file manager or FTP.
  • Test database connection using hosting panel or tools like phpMyAdmin.
  • Review permissions of wp-content, index.php, and other key files.

How to Fix:​

  1. Restore missing or corrupted files from backup.
  2. Correct database credentials in configuration (wp-config.php).
  3. Fix file and folder permissions (typically 644 for files, 755 for folders).
  4. Test website functionality after fixes.