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How to Fix the “There Has Been a Critical Error on Your Website” on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Solutions

Encountering the message “There has been a critical error on your website” can be frustrating. This error usually indicates that something on your WordPress site has stopped working correctly. It might be caused by a plugin, theme, or server issue.

If you are using Windows 11 to manage your WordPress site, this guide will help you fix the problem step by step. No advanced technical knowledge is needed.

We will walk through simple solutions first, then move on to more detailed troubleshooting if needed. By following these instructions carefully, you can get your website back online quickly.

Let’s get started with some quick notes before we dive into the solutions.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Initial Checks

  • Backup Your Website: Before making any changes, create a full backup of your website files and database. This ensures you can restore your site if something goes wrong.
  • Access to Hosting Control Panel: You will need access to your web hosting control panel or FTP to fix some issues.
  • Check Error Message Details: Sometimes WordPress shows a “Learn More” link or sends an email with more information about the error. Check these for clues.
  • Windows 11 Does Not Directly Affect WordPress: Remember, Windows 11 is your operating system and does not control your website’s server. Most fixes involve your hosting environment or WordPress files.

Step 1: Enable WordPress Debug Mode to Identify the Error

WordPress has a built-in debugging feature that helps reveal what is causing the critical error. By enabling debug mode, you get detailed error messages instead of a generic error screen.

  1. Log in to your hosting control panel or use an FTP client to access your website files.
  2. Find the wp-config.php file in the root folder of your WordPress installation.
  3. Download a copy of this file to your computer as a backup.
  4. Edit the wp-config.php file using a plain text editor like Notepad.
  5. Look for the line that says define('WP_DEBUG', false);
  6. Change it to define('WP_DEBUG', true);
  7. Save the file and upload it back to the server, replacing the old one.
  8. Reload your website. You should now see more detailed error messages that indicate what is causing the problem.

Why this step matters: Seeing the exact error helps you or your developer quickly identify and fix the root cause.

Step 2: Deactivate All Plugins

Plugins are often responsible for critical errors, especially if they are outdated or incompatible.

  1. Access your website files via FTP or hosting file manager.
  2. Navigate to the wp-content folder.
  3. Rename the folder named plugins to something like plugins-deactivated.
  4. Check your website again. If it loads without error, the problem is with one or more plugins.
  5. Rename the folder back to plugins.
  6. Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard and reactivate plugins one by one to find the faulty plugin.

Why this matters: This method quickly isolates plugin-related problems without deleting any files.

Step 3: Switch to a Default WordPress Theme

If plugins are not the issue, your theme might be causing the error.

  1. Again, use FTP or your hosting file manager.
  2. Go to wp-content/themes.
  3. Rename your active theme’s folder by adding -old to the folder name.
  4. This forces WordPress to fall back to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-One or Twenty Twenty-Two.
  5. Reload your website to see if it works.

If the site loads, your theme is the cause. Consider updating or replacing it.

Step 4: Increase PHP Memory Limit

Sometimes, the critical error happens because your site runs out of memory.

  1. Open the wp-config.php file again.
  2. Add this line just above the line that says /* That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */:
define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');

This increases the memory limit to 256 megabytes.

Save and upload the file, then refresh your website.

Step 5: Check for Corrupted Core Files

Sometimes WordPress core files may become corrupted or altered, causing errors.

  1. Download a fresh copy of WordPress from wordpress.org.
  2. Extract the downloaded file on your computer.
  3. Using FTP, upload the wp-admin and wp-includes folders from the fresh copy to your website, overwriting the existing folders.
  4. Do not overwrite the wp-content folder or the wp-config.php file.
  5. Check your website again.

Alternative Method: Use Recovery Mode

WordPress has a built-in recovery mode that sometimes activates after a critical error.

If you received an email from WordPress about the error, it contains a special login link to recovery mode. Use it to log in and deactivate faulty plugins or themes directly from the dashboard.

FAQs

What causes the “There has been a critical error on your website” message?

This error usually occurs because of PHP errors caused by incompatible or outdated plugins, themes, corrupted files, or exhausted server resources.

Can I fix this error without technical knowledge?

Yes, by following the step-by-step instructions here, even beginners can resolve common causes. However, some steps require access to hosting or FTP.

Will enabling debug mode expose my website to visitors?

Debug mode shows detailed error information that can reveal sensitive data. Only enable it temporarily and disable it once you finish troubleshooting.

How do I back up my WordPress site on Windows 11?

You can use plugins like UpdraftPlus or manually download your website files via FTP and export your database using phpMyAdmin.

What if the error persists after following all steps?

It might be a server-level issue or a complex conflict. Contact your hosting support or a professional developer for help.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried every step and the error remains, consider these final options:

  • Contact your web hosting provider’s support team for assistance. They can check server logs and help resolve hosting-related problems.
  • Restore your website from a recent backup if available.
  • Seek help from the official WordPress support forums at https://wordpress.org/support/.
  • Hire a professional WordPress developer to troubleshoot and fix the issue.

Conclusion

The “There has been a critical error on your website” message can feel overwhelming, but it usually has a straightforward cause. By enabling debug mode, deactivating plugins, switching themes, increasing memory, and checking core files, you can resolve most issues quickly.

Always remember to back up your website before making changes and proceed step-by-step. If advanced troubleshooting is needed, don’t hesitate to seek professional help.

Following this guide carefully will help you restore your WordPress site on Windows 11 and get back to managing your content with confidence.

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