WordPress, the powerhouse behind millions of websites, offers a user-friendly dashboard that allows website owners to manage their content effortlessly. However, encountering the dreaded issue of the WordPress dashboard not loading can be frustrating and disruptive.
Is CSS not loading and is your admin dashboard not functioning properly? We have a gift for you. We’ll walk you through several solutions to the WordPress dashboard not loading problem in this tutorial.
One of the best platforms for creating websites and managing content is WordPress. It offers many adaptable customization possibilities to help you build the website of your dreams. Even if WordPress is fantastic, there could be some issues with utilizing it.
Let’s look at the cause of this issue with your website before moving on to the solutions.
At ARZ Host, we’ll explore common causes of this problem and provide practical solutions to get your dashboard up and running smoothly again.
Why won’t the WordPress Dashboard load properly?
The dashboard is where you control everything on your website, therefore it can be frustrating for you if it loads or opens. Let’s quickly go through some of the key causes of this problem before trying to find a solution.
Firstly, it’s essential to remember that there could be several reasons your WordPress dashboard isn’t loading or displaying correctly. A source code error is typically the cause of a blank dashboard screen that appears during loading and isn’t the white screen of death. This might occur if you have recently customized your website or added a new theme or plugin.
On the other hand, issues with memory or incompatibilities with your web browser may potentially cause the dashboard to malfunction. It is possible, though, that you will be unable to identify the true cause of your WordPress dashboard’s improper loading.
Another frequent cause of dashboard malfunctions is connected to CSS. Recently updated or installed plugins and themes have the potential to damage the admin CSS and cause issues loading the WordPress dashboard.
The good news is that we’ll go over fixes for the most typical issues in the section that follows, allowing you to quickly access your dashboard.
How to Fix the WordPress Dashboard not Loading Issue? 8 Simple Ways
You can try any of the following fixes if you’re not sure why your WordPress dashboard isn’t showing up.
We’ll walk you through each stage of the process in this section to solve all of these problems. We advise you to go through the list in this order and try these solutions even if you are unsure of the cause of your WordPress dashboard’s malfunction since they often fix the majority of issues.
1: Clear Cookies and Cache:
Clearing cookies and cache is often the first step in troubleshooting website-related issues. To do this, go to your web browser settings and find the option to clear browsing data. Make sure to clear cookies and cached images and files. Then, try accessing the WordPress dashboard again.
Your cookies and cache should be cleared as one of your initial steps in fixing the WordPress dashboard loading issue. When using WordPress, you may ensure that your browser is getting the most recent versions of the files by clearing the cookies and cache. This is because web browsers store temporary files.
Different web browsers have different methods for removing cookies and cache. Since Google Chrome is the most widely used browser, we will use it to demonstrate how to do it. The instructions may alter slightly depending on the browser you are using, but they should still be easy to follow.
Open Chrome’s Settings and choose the Privacy and Security option to delete cookies. Then, since you wish to erase the cookies and cache in your web browser, proceed to the Eliminate Browsing Data section.
Following that, a conversation box will show up on your screen. Verify the cookies, additional site information, and any cached files or images before selecting Clear Data.
Your web browser’s cache and cookies will all be deleted. After that, you may see if the WordPress dashboard is loading.
2: Update Your Web Browser:
Outdated web browsers can sometimes have compatibility issues with modern websites, including WordPress. Make sure your web browser is up to date with the latest version. You can usually check for updates in the browser’s settings or download the latest version from the official website.
Your web browser’s cookies and cache may not be the only issue preventing the WordPress dashboard from functioning properly. You should upgrade the web browser to ensure that it isn’t causing any problems.
You may typically complete the task just from within your web browser. For example, to access About Chrome in Chrome, navigate to the Settings menu.
If an update is available, your browser will check for it and upgrade to the newest version automatically. All you need to do is click Relaunch to complete the update and begin utilizing the most recent version.
You can take identical actions if you use any other web browser, such as Firefox, Safari, or Edge. However, you can also get it from the official website if you are unable to upgrade your web browser.
If your WordPress dashboard still doesn’t load after that, you should try another browser to rule out your browser as the problem.
3: Check for Plugins and Theme Conflicts:
Conflicts with plugins or themes are common causes of WordPress dashboard issues. To check for conflicts, deactivate all plugins and switch to a default WordPress theme (such as Twenty Twenty-One).
If the dashboard loads successfully after deactivating plugins or changing the theme, you’ve identified the source of the problem. You can then reactivate plugins and switch back to your theme one by one to pinpoint the conflicting plugin or theme.
Recent additions of plugins or themes may generate conflicts with core WordPress files, which could lead to dashboard problems. You may easily disable any plugins or active themes to see whether this is the reason your WordPress dashboard isn’t showing up.
Plugins can be uninstalled using a variety of techniques. We will use an FTP client to accomplish this in this tutorial. Any FRP client, including FileZilla, WinSCP, and Cyberduck, can be used. We’ll utilize FileZilla for this example as, in our opinion, it’s the best.
A: Use an FTP client to access your website
B: Turn off the plugins and the active theme
Deactivating the active theme is the first step. You must access your website’s files by navigating to the /wp-content/themes/ subdirectory. Find the theme you are currently using and give it a different name.
We’re going to rename the Divi folder because it’s now our active theme. For now, let’s make it easier to recognize by renaming it to Divi. Renamed.
Likewise, you can rename the plugin directories you recently added to your website by navigating to the /wp-content/plugins/ folder and deactivating the plugins.
This will turn off every plugin on your website. Next, see if your WordPress dashboard loads again. If it does, there is a conflict between your theme and plugins, which is the cause of the problem. Now, turn them on one at a time until you identify the problematic plugin.
As was already indicated, deactivating plugins can be done in numerous ways. For some of the more serious issues that arise when the WordPress dashboard fails to load, this is an excellent fix. It will assist you in resolving problems like:
If you’re experiencing any of these problems, it’s likely the result of a conflict between one of your themes or plugins.
4: Edit the wp-config.php File:
Sometimes, adjusting settings in the wp-config.php file can resolve dashboard loading issues. Access your WordPress site’s files via FTP or file manager and locate the wp-config.php file. Add the following line of code before the “/* That’s all, stop editing! */” line:
php
define ('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
Save the changes and refresh the WordPress dashboard to see if the issue is resolved.
We advise you to build a child theme and make a backup of your website before proceeding, as this method requires modifying some essential files.
You may also experience issues with the WordPress dashboard not loading if your wp-config.php file contains extraneous components. These components could include “?>” tags or blank lines, which could be the source of the problems.
You’ll need an FTP client once more in order to access the wp-config.php file. Before moving forward, link your site by following the instructions in point 3.1.
The wp-config.php file will then appear in the root folder. This file needs to be edited, so right-click on it and choose Edit.
Make sure there are no blank lines at the bottom of the code, and if there are, delete them. If you see the “?>” tag, remove that as well.
You can add a code snippet if your WordPress dashboard isn’t loading CSS due to CSS difficulties. Simply copy and paste the code snippet that is located at the bottom into the editor.
specify ('CONCATENATE_SCRIPTS', false);
After that, load your WordPress dashboard and save the file. If the config.php file caused a problem, it should have been fixed by now, and your dashboard should function as intended.
5: Increase Memory Limit:
WordPress requires a certain amount of memory to function properly. If your site is running out of memory, it can lead to dashboard loading issues. You can increase the memory limit by editing the php.ini file or adding the following line to your .htaccess file:
php
php_value memory_limit 256M
Remember to save the changes and check if the dashboard loads correctly afterwards.
One more reason why your WordPress dashboard might not load is insufficient PHP memory. 64 MB of PHP RAM is the default amount for a WordPress website. While this is sufficient for the majority of sites, it may not always be.
Your WordPress dashboard may not load correctly as there is insufficient RAM. The good news is that adding a line of code is all it takes to raise the memory limit. If you want to do that, open the wp-config.php file once more, select Edit from the menu, and add the following code at the end.
Define (‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M’);
This should resolve the WordPress dashboard not showing issue on your website by raising your RAM limit to 256 MB. By simply altering that section of the code, you may also alter the limitation to 128MB, 512MB, or any other desired amount.
6: Database Issues:
Database issues can also cause the WordPress dashboard not to load. To troubleshoot database problems, you can repair your WordPress database using phpMyAdmin or a similar tool provided by your web hosting provider. Be sure to back up your database before attempting any repairs.
One of the most common issues that can prevent the WordPress dashboard from loading is a database issue. You may need to have them repaired if this is the case.
You must have access to your website’s cPanel and phpMyAdmin to accomplish it. First, sign into your cPanel account, navigate to the Databases menu, and look for and click on the phpMyAdmin option.
You will be taken to your website’s phpMyAdmin database. Choose the database you wish to edit from the list of all the websites’ databases that are accessible under your account.
Here, you will be able to view every table in the specific database. To choose every table in the database, simply scroll to the bottom of the page and click Check All. Next, choose Repair Table by clicking on the with selected option.
The process of repair will start on its own. Once it’s finished, refresh the WordPress dashboard. This should have resolved any database problems that may have existed.
7: Check Errors with Debug Mode:
WordPress has a built-in debugging feature that can help identify errors that may be causing the dashboard not to load. Enable debug mode by editing the wp-config.php file and adding the following lines:
php
define (‘WP_DEBUG', true);
define (‘WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
define (‘WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);
You might be able to resolve issues with your WordPress dashboard by turning on debug mode. This mode is turned off by default, but if you enable it, you may view the issues that are preventing WordPress from functioning properly. You can turn on Debug Mode momentarily to see what’s causing your dashboard troubles and figure it out.
Open the wp-config.php file and insert the following code before the line that reads, “/* That’s all, stop editing!” to activate Debug Mode. Cheers to your successful publication. */
define (‘WP_DEBUG', true);
This will log errors to a debug.log file in the wp-content directory. Check the debug.log file for any errors that may provide clues to the dashboard loading issue.
8: Admin CSS Not Loading Correctly:
Sometimes, the WordPress dashboard may not load properly due to issues with loading admin CSS stylesheets. This can be caused by corrupted files or server misconfigurations.
To fix this issue, try re-uploading the wp-admin and wp-includes folders from a fresh WordPress installation. You can also contact your web hosting provider to ensure that server configurations are correct.
We’ve seen some of the most practical fixes for the WordPress dashboard not loading problem thus far. You can try a few more things if you are still unable to solve the issue.
- Make use of Private Mode
If your WordPress dashboard isn’t appearing, using incognito mode can also be useful. If the dashboard loads in private mode, there may be a problem with one of the browser extensions. One by one, you can deactivate and reactivate them to determine which extension is causing the issue.
The chrome://extensions/ link makes it simple to reach the extensions section if you use the Google Chrome browser.
- Modify the.htaccess file.
If you haven’t already, utilize a child theme and make a backup of your website before attempting this option.
You may wish to make changes to the.htaccess file located in your root directory if you are still experiencing problems with the WordPress dashboard. You can use an FTP client to access it. As previously mentioned in step 3.1, link your website to your FTP client if you haven’t already.
Find the .htaccess file after connecting your website to the FTP client. Select Edit with a right-click on it, then get rid of all the code that contains wp-admin.
The WordPress dashboard will probably now load for you. If not, look for the root directory’s wp-admin.php file. You will need to download and re-upload every file from the WordPress repository if you are unable to locate it.
- Identify user roles
User roles can occasionally cause problems with the admin dashboard. If you’ve tried everything listed above and your WordPress dashboard still won’t appear, make sure the user roles are set correctly to resolve the problem.
By following these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot and fix the WordPress dashboard not loading issue. If the problem persists, consider seeking assistance from WordPress forums or hiring a developer to diagnose and resolve the issue.
Common Causes of WordPress Dashboard Not Loading
WordPress is a powerful and widely-used platform for building websites, but like any software, it can encounter issues from time to time. One frustrating problem that WordPress users may encounter is the inability to load the dashboard, which can hinder their ability to manage their site effectively.
Several factors can contribute to this issue, ranging from plugin conflicts to server problems. In this part, we will explore some of the common causes of a WordPress dashboard not loading.
1: Plugin Conflicts:
WordPress plugins extend the functionality of your website, but they can also sometimes clash with each other, causing conflicts that disrupt the normal operation of your site.
When multiple plugins are activated, there’s a chance that one or more of them may not be compatible with each other or with the WordPress core, leading to issues such as the dashboard not loading properly.
To troubleshoot this, try deactivating all plugins and then reactivating them one by one, testing the dashboard after each activation to identify the plugin causing the conflict.
2: Theme Issues:
Your WordPress theme controls the appearance and layout of your website, and a poorly coded or incompatible theme can also prevent the dashboard from loading correctly.
If you recently installed or updated your theme and started experiencing dashboard issues afterward, it’s possible that the theme is causing the problem. Switching to a default WordPress theme temporarily can help determine if the issue lies with the theme or elsewhere.
3: Corrupted Files:
Corrupted WordPress core files or files related to plugins and themes can also lead to dashboard loading issues. This can happen due to incomplete updates, file permissions errors, or malware infections.
To address this, you can try reinstalling WordPress core files by accessing your site via FTP or using the File Manager in your web hosting control panel. Additionally, scanning your website for malware and ensuring file permissions are set correctly can help prevent file corruption issues.
4: Server Problems:
Issues with your web hosting server can also cause the WordPress dashboard not to load. Server downtime, high server loads, insufficient resources, or misconfigurations can all affect the performance of your website and dashboard.
Contacting your web hosting provider to inquire about any server-related issues or considering switching to a more reliable hosting provider may help resolve these problems.
5: Cache and Cookies:
Cached data and cookies stored in your web browser can sometimes interfere with the proper functioning of the WordPress dashboard.
Clearing your browser’s cache and cookies or trying to access the dashboard from a different browser or device can help determine if this is the cause of the issue.
Additionally, disabling caching plugins temporarily or configuring them to exclude the dashboard pages from caching can prevent similar problems in the future.
Conclusion
In summary, there are various reasons why the WordPress dashboard can not function properly, making it challenging to identify the best fix.
We’ve provided you with the most popular fixes for WordPress dashboard loading problems in this guide. The first thing you ought to attempt is updating your web browser to the most recent version and deleting your cookies and cache. Check for conflicts between themes and plugins if that doesn’t work. These fixes will usually take care of the issue.
Still, you can change the wp-config.php file, raise the RAM limit, and look for database problems if you’re still having trouble.
You can try a few more things if none of the above works after trying everything. To fix the loading issue on your WordPress dashboard, switch to incognito mode in your browser and make changes to the. htaccess file.
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Have you ever had problems with the WordPress dashboard not loading? How did you resolve it? Tell us in the comments section below.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1: Why is my WordPress dashboard not loading?
There could be several reasons why your WordPress dashboard is not loading. Common causes include plugin or theme conflicts, corrupted files, server issues, or inadequate memory limits.
2: How can I troubleshoot plugin or theme conflicts?
Answer: To identify if a plugin or theme is causing the issue, deactivate all plugins and switch to a default WordPress theme (like Twenty Twenty-One). If the dashboard loads after this, reactivate each plugin one by one until you find the culprit. Similarly, switch back to your original theme to check if it’s causing the problem.
3: What should I do if my files are corrupted?
Answer: Corrupted files can disrupt the functioning of your dashboard. To fix this, access your WordPress installation via FTP or File Manager and navigate to the wp-admin and wp-includes directories. Replace the core WordPress files with fresh copies downloaded from wordpress.org. Make sure to back up your files before making any changes.
4: How do I address server-related issues?
Answer: Server-related issues can include insufficient memory or execution limits. You can try increasing the memory limit by editing the wp-config.php file or contacting your hosting provider for assistance. Additionally, check server logs for any errors that might provide insight into the issue.
5: What steps can I take if none of the above solutions work?
Answer: If you’ve tried the above solutions and your dashboard still isn’t loading, consider debugging your WordPress installation. Enable WP_DEBUG in your wp-config.php file to display any errors on-screen. Additionally, check your browser’s developer console for any JavaScript errors that might indicate the source of the problem. If all else fails, seeking help from WordPress forums or hiring a developer might be necessary to diagnose and resolve the issue.