Why WordPress Page Comes White After Migration
WORDPRESS USERS are fond of talking about their websites. What they really enjoy, though, is grumbling about the dreaded white screen. Luckily, they have ample opportunity and a rich vocabulary, according to many developers who troubleshoot such issues. A problematic migration can be "blank, broken, unresponsive or completely down". In some cases you might call it a "white screen of death". In the developer community you still hear "permissions error" (related to file access) and "memory limit" (just enough to make your site fail to load).
Understanding Why WordPress Page Comes White After Migration
When clients ask me why their WordPress page comes white after migration, I approach it like a digital detective. The white screen typically indicates that PHP has encountered a fatal error, but error reporting is disabled, leaving you with nothing but a blank page. Here's my step-by-step approach to diagnosing and fixing this common issue:
First, enable WordPress debugging by accessing your site files via FTP and editing the wp-config.php file. Look for the line that says "define('WP_DEBUG', false);" and change it to "define('WP_DEBUG', true);". This will often reveal the specific error causing the white screen.
Common culprits include:
- Plugin conflicts - deactivate all plugins by renaming the plugins folder via FTP
- Theme compatibility issues - revert to a default WordPress theme
- Incorrect file permissions - set directories to 755 and files to 644
- Memory limit exhaustion - increase PHP memory limit in wp-config.php
- Database connection errors - verify your wp-config.php database credentials
Many users don't realize that understanding the coverage definition of their hosting environment is crucial. The technical coverage definition of your server—what PHP extensions, memory allocation, and database connections are available—directly impacts whether your migrated site will function properly.
WordPress Platform Differences Matter
Migration issues often stem from confusion about what is the difference between wordpress.com and wordpress.org. WordPress.com is a hosted service with limitations on plugins and themes, while WordPress.org provides open-source software that gives you full control but also full responsibility for maintenance and migrations. Knowing this distinction helps prevent unexpected issues when moving between environments.
The debate of wordpress vs website builder becomes particularly relevant during migrations. While website builders often offer simpler migration processes, WordPress provides unparalleled flexibility—but requires more technical knowledge to handle transitions properly. This is where professional assistance proves invaluable.
Professional WordPress Migration Services
If troubleshooting white screen errors seems overwhelming, remember that WPutopia specializes in seamless WordPress migrations. Our expert team handles everything from server configuration to database transfers, ensuring your site arrives at its new home fully functional. We provide comprehensive WordPress services including maintenance, theme upgrades, plugin installation, and migration assistance—so you can focus on your business while we handle the technical details.
Don't let migration headaches dampen your online presence. Contact WPutopia today for professional WordPress solutions that keep your site running smoothly through any transition.
