Use this checklist only when your WordPress site is down, broken, or inaccessible.
Follow the steps in order. Stop once the issue is resolved.
Support access (if needed):
https://www.a7host.com/billing
STEP 1: Confirm It’s a Real Outage (1 minute)
☐ Test the site in an incognito/private window
☐ Test from another device or mobile network
☐ If it works elsewhere → browser/cache issue (stop here)
☐ If broken everywhere → continue
STEP 2: Check WordPress Admin Access (1 minute)
Try:https://yourdomain.com/wp-admin
☐ Admin accessible → go to Step 4
☐ Admin NOT accessible → go to Step 3
STEP 3: Emergency Plugin Disable (Most Common Fix)
Do this if wp-admin is NOT accessible
☐ Log in to hosting control panel
☐ Open File Manager
☐ Go to: /wp-content/
☐ Rename folder:plugins → plugins-disabled
☐ Refresh site
☐ Site loads → plugin conflict confirmed (stop here)
☐ Still broken → continue
STEP 4: Emergency Theme Test
☐ If wp-admin accessible:
– Go to Appearance → Themes
– Activate a default WordPress theme
☐ If wp-admin NOT accessible:
– Rename active theme folder in /wp-content/themes/
☐ Refresh site
☐ Site loads → theme issue confirmed
☐ Still broken → continue
STEP 5: Identify Critical Errors (Do NOT Guess)
Look for exact messages such as:
☐ “Error establishing a database connection”
☐ “There has been a critical error on this website”
☐ 500 Internal Server Error
☐ White screen (blank page)
☐ Redirect loop
☐ Database-related error → STOP and contact support immediately
STEP 6: Restore From Backup (Fastest Full Recovery)
Restore immediately if:
☐ Site worked recently
☐ Issue started after update/install
☐ Site is unusable
☐ Site hacked or defaced
☐ Use available backups (plan-dependent)
☐ Or request restore via support
STEP 7: Security Emergency (Hacked Site)
Signs include:
☐ Spam pages
☐ Redirects to unknown sites
☐ Unknown admin users
☐ Browser security warnings
☐ Do NOT attempt partial fixes
☐ Contact support immediately
☐ Prepare to restore from clean backup
STEP 8: When to Stop and Open a Ticket
Open a support ticket now if:
☐ Frontend and wp-admin both inaccessible
☐ Database error is present
☐ Site is hacked or defaced
☐ You are unsure about file or database changes
☐ Backup restore is required
Support portal:
https://www.a7host.com/billing
REQUIRED INFO FOR FAST SUPPORT
Prepare this before submitting:
☐ Domain name
☐ Exact error message (copy/paste)
☐ Time issue started
☐ What changed just before it happened
☐ Whether plugins/themes were recently updated
☐ Screenshots (if applicable)
AFTER RECOVERY (Do This Once Stable)
☐ Take a fresh backup
☐ Update plugins one by one
☐ Remove unused plugins/themes
☐ Change all passwords
☐ Avoid “nulled” themes/plugins
