how-to-fix-the-4-most-common-and-annoying-problems-with-wordpressWhether you’re new to WordPress or a champion user with several years of experience under your belt, you’re almost guaranteed to run into a problem from time to time. Just about anyone with a computer and Internet access can use WordPress on a basic level; it’s when you start installing plugins and tweaking the source code that issues arise.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common problems on WordPress – and how to fix them:

1. Difficulty Backing up Your WordPress Site

WordPress does not come with a backup system out of the box, so you need to create your own backups in case something happens to your site.

Before you publish your website on WordPress, you’re going to need a hosting account. Look for a reputable hosting service that offers automatic backups, such as Bluehost.

You should also use one of these backup plugins:

  • VaultPress;
  • BackWPup;
  • BackUpWordPress; or
  • UpdraftPlus.

2. Inconsistent Formatting

For some webmasters, the easiest way to create content is to write it in a Word document and then paste it directly into WordPress. The problem with this method, however, is that your formatting will not make the transition.

A quick fix to this is to write your content including all of the HTML code before pasting it in the Text Editor.

If you post a lot of content to WordPress, consider installing the TinyMCE plugin. This plugin helps users make faster adjustments to content by adding and rearranging buttons on the Visual Editor Toolbar. You can view screenshots here.

3. White Screen of Death

The “white screen of death” (WSOD) is a bug that causes the screen to go blank suddenly. The root of the problem is usually a glitch in the theme or a plugin you are using.

If you see the WSOD after you activate a new theme, WordPress.org recommends that you try logging out and back into WordPress. Then, immediately activate the WordPress Twenty Sixteen theme. If you do not have access to the admin screen, then use FTP to find the /wp-content/themes/ folder. Change the name of the folder of the theme you are using.

If you think a plugin is causing the problem, then deactivate it. If you do not know which plugin is defective, then deactivate all plugins and reactivate them one by one. If you do not have access to the admin screen, then use FTP to navigate to wp-content/plugins. Change the name of the plugin folder plugins_old to deactivate all of your plugins.

4. Login Issues

Most people forget their WordPress username or password at some point. If the WordPress password reset option isn’t working, you can easily reset it from phpMyAdmin.

First, you will need to know your site’s database name. You can find it in your wp-config.php file via FTP. Whatever follows ‘DB_NAME’ is the name of your database.

From the cPanel, enter phpMyAdmin, and then click on the database name, located on the left side of the screen. Select wp_users  from the list of tables.

Locate the pencil icon to the right of user_login to reset your password. A new set of fields will appear. Click user_pass Value.

You’ll see a series of random numbers, letters, and symbols – WordPress stores passwords as MD5 Hash for security reasons, so you will need to convert your new password to MD5 Hash, as well.

Download this tool to translate your plain text password into MD5 Hash. Then, type your new password into the input field, press the MD5 button, and voila!

Copy these characters and then paste them into your user_pass Value field. Click “go,” located at the bottom of the screen, and you’re done.

Despite the hiccups, WordPress still controls 65 percent of the content management system (CMS) market. It’s the most powerful and user-friendly CMS available.

If these four solutions don’t solve your problem, try browsing the WordPress forums.