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Wordpress

WordPress Error: There has been a critical error on your website. Please check your site admin email inbox for instructions. Learn more about debugging in WordPress.

There has been a critical error on your website. Please check your site admin email inbox for instructions. Learn more about debugging in WordPress.

I encountered this error recently and while WordPress was operational, I could not access the admin dashboard.

The resolution for me was to access my CPanel / file manager for my WordPress back end and rename the WP-Content/Plugins folder to PluginsOLD, which effectively disabled all plugins. After this, I was able to access the admin dashboard and then one by one move the plugins back into a new Plugins folder until one broke the dashboard again… and there you have your problematic plugin!

SQLWordpress

Keeping The WordPress Database Optimized

I recently wrote about some WordPress trouble a client had that was related to the database size. I listed some SQL commands that can be run, but there are simpler ways to keep a WordPress database clean and optimized to avoid trouble like that.

It’s good practice to install a plugin like WP-Optimize that can perform the same tasks without the need for nitty gritty SQL commands. Not only will your database not fill up, but keeping your database optimized will also make sure your website / blog loads as fast as possible.

WPOptimize

 

WordPress also has a feature called “revisions” that can unnecessarily clog up the database. You can only turn that off by diving into some PHP files on the web server, which isn’t for the faint of heart. For more information on doing that, head over here. 

SQLUncategorizedWeb DesignWordpress

Big Trouble in Little Database (Size)

I ran into this problem a day ago; all users on a WordPress blog couldn’t login. They wouldn’t receive an error when entering the correct password, but they also wouldn’t login. Attempts to reset passwords also failed, even using the trick to reset the admin password via theme.php.

Eventually I found that the database was full. The client, on Network Solutions, was allotted 300mb and they were at 301. Not to fear! I found that running the following SQL commands directly in the database manager would do the job:

DELETE FROM wp_posts WHERE post_type = “revision”;
OPTIMIZE TABLE wp_posts;
DELETE FROM wp_comments WHERE comment_approved = “spam”;

DELETE FROM wp_commentmeta WHERE meta_key
LIKE “%akismet%”

DELETE FROM wp_commentmeta WHERE comment_id
NOT IN (
SELECT comment_id
FROM wp_comments
)

But alas, I found myself in a Catch-22. To remove the data deleted above, you have to optimize each table. But to optimize each table, there had to be more free space in the database! Some users have had luck calling their web host, and having them somehow clear out the old entries. This client in particular ended up buying for $4 per month an extra 700mb in database space.

Post title inspiration goes to the graphic novel and cult classic: