This guide is for critical WordPress emergencies, such as:
- Website completely down
- White screen or fatal error
- Cannot access WordPress admin
- Site was hacked or defaced
- Major update broke the site
Follow the steps in order. Stop when the issue is resolved.
If you are unsure at any point, open a support ticket via:
https://www.a7host.com/billing
Step 0: Stay Calm and Do Not Make Random Changes
In an emergency:
- Do not install random plugins
- Do not repeatedly refresh DNS or SSL settings
- Do not delete files unless instructed
- Do not panic-update everything at once
Random actions often make recovery harder.
Step 1: Confirm the Scope of the Problem
Question 1: Is the problem affecting everyone or just you?
- Test the site in:
- Incognito/private window
- Another browser
- Mobile device
- If it works elsewhere → browser/cache issue
- If it fails everywhere → continue
Question 2: Is wp-admin accessible?
Try:
https://yourdomain.com/wp-admin
- Yes → Go to Step 4
- No → Go to Step 2
Step 2: Identify the Type of Failure
Look carefully at what you see:
Common emergency symptoms
- “There has been a critical error on this website”
- White screen (blank page)
- “Error establishing a database connection”
- 500 Internal Server Error
- Redirect loops
- Site hacked or showing spam content
Make note of the exact error message.
Step 3: Emergency Plugin Isolation (Most Common Fix)
Most WordPress emergencies are caused by plugins.
If wp-admin is NOT accessible:
- Log in to your hosting control panel
- Open File Manager
- Navigate to:
/wp-content/ - Rename the folder:
plugins → plugins-disabled
This disables all plugins at once.
Result:
- If site loads → plugin conflict confirmed
- If site still fails → continue to Step 5
You can later rename the folder back and re-enable plugins one by one.
Step 4: Emergency Theme Isolation
If disabling plugins does not help, test the theme.
If wp-admin IS accessible:
- Go to Appearance → Themes
- Activate a default WordPress theme
If wp-admin is NOT accessible:
- In File Manager, go to:
/wp-content/themes/ - Rename your active theme folder
WordPress will fall back to a default theme.
Step 5: Check for Database Errors (Critical)
Error: “Error establishing a database connection”
This is a high-priority issue.
Possible causes:
- Database server issue
- Incorrect credentials
- Corrupted database
Do not edit database files unless experienced.
Open a support ticket immediately with:
- Domain name
- Exact error message
- Time issue started
Step 6: Restore From Backup (Fastest Full Recovery)
If you have a recent backup, restoring is often the cleanest solution.
When to restore immediately:
- Site worked recently
- Issue started after an update or install
- Site is completely unusable
- Hacked or defaced site
Backups may be:
- Automated (plan-dependent)
- Manual (if you created one)
Support can assist with restores where applicable.
Step 7: If the Site Was Hacked or Compromised
Signs of compromise:
- Spam pages
- Redirects to unknown sites
- Unknown admin users
- Security warnings in browsers
Immediate actions:
- Take the site offline if possible
- Do not attempt partial fixes
- Open a security-related support ticket
- Be prepared to restore from a clean backup
After recovery:
- Change all passwords
- Update WordPress, themes, plugins
- Remove unused plugins/themes
Step 8: SSL / Redirect Emergency Loops
If your site is stuck in redirect loops:
- Confirm WordPress Address and Site Address match (HTTP vs HTTPS)
- Clear cache
- Disable caching plugins
- Avoid forcing HTTPS in multiple places
If loops persist → contact support.
Step 9: When to Stop and Contact Support Immediately
Open a ticket without further troubleshooting if:
Database errors are present
Site is hacked or defaced
Both frontend and wp-admin are inaccessible
You are unsure about file/database changes
Restores are required
Support tickets are opened at:
https://www.a7host.com/billing
What to Include in an Emergency Ticket (Very Important)
Include:
- Domain name
- Exact error message
- What changed before the issue
- Approximate time the issue started
- Whether plugins/themes were recently updated
- Screenshots (if applicable)
Clear information = faster recovery.
After Recovery: Preventing the Next Emergency
Once the site is stable:
- Take a fresh backup
- Update plugins one by one
- Remove unused themes/plugins
- Avoid “nulled” software
- Enable basic security measures
- Document changes you make
Final Reminder
WordPress emergencies are stressful—but most are recoverable.
Following a structured approach prevents data loss and speeds up resolution.
If at any point you feel uncertain, stop and contact support.
Client Area & Support:
https://www.a7host.com/billing
