WordPress Error Logs: Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

When something goes wrong on your WordPress site — a white screen, broken feature, or unexpected error, it’s hard to know where to start. That’s where WordPress error logs can help.

These logs record what’s happening behind the scenes, helping you track down issues like plugin conflicts, missing files, or PHP errors. Once you enable error logs, they make troubleshooting a whole lot easier.

If you’re not comfortable digging into logs yourself, you can always turn to expert help. Many businesses hire WordPress development services to monitor, debug, and keep their sites running smoothly. In this blog, we’ll explain what WordPress error logs actually are, how they help with daily site issues, and how you can enable and use them effectively. So, let’s get started!

What are WordPress Error Logs

When something breaks on your WordPress site, like a plugin fails, a page throws an error, or things just stop working, WordPress doesn’t always show the problem on screen. So, WordPress error logs can be helpful. The error log is a hidden file that quietly records any issues happening in the background. This file includes:

• PHP Errors: Undefined functions or syntax mistakes
• Warnings & Notices: Non-critical issues that could lead to bigger problems
• Deprecated Functions: Features that are outdated or will be removed soon
• Plugin/Theme Conflicts: Code clashes between components
• Fatal Errors: Serious issues that stop your site from loading

Once you know where to find it and how to read it, the error log becomes one of the most powerful tools for diagnosing and fixing problems on your site quickly.

How WordPress Error Logs Help with Everyday Site Issues

It’s easy to overlook the error logs until something breaks. But when you use them proactively, it becomes a useful tool for spotting issues before they become major problems. Here are some everyday scenarios where checking the error log can make all the difference:

• White Screen of Death: A plugin or theme triggers a fatal error, and your site goes blank. The log shows exactly where the error occurred.
• Email Not Sending: Forms or notifications silently fail–logs can uncover mail function errors or misconfigurations.
• Slow Site Performance: Repeated warnings or slow database queries may point to inefficient code.
• Broken Theme Customization: A small edit in a function file breaks the layout or causes a crash.
• 403/500 Errors: Server-level errors without context can often be explained by reviewing logs.

Whether it’s a subtle glitch or a full-blown crash, the error log helps you track the root cause faster, making your troubleshooting process smoother and more efficient.

How to Enable WordPress Error Logs? (3 Proven Ways)

To make the most of error logs, you need to turn them on first. WordPress doesn’t log errors by default, but with just a few tweaks, you can start capturing important debug information. Here are three simple ways to enable error logging:

Modify wp-config.php (Most Reliable Method)

This is the most direct and reliable way to enable error logging. The wp-config.php file controls key settings in your WordPress site, including debugging features.

Open your wp-config.php file and add these lines just before the comment that says:

/* That's all, stop editing! */:

define('WP_DEBUG', true);

define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);

define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);

What these do:

• WP_DEBUG: Turns on WordPress debugging mode.
• WP_DEBUG_LOG: Saves all errors to a debug.log file.
• WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY: Hides errors from users on the front end (safer for live sites).

This method gives you full control and is great for both developers and advanced users. Once saved, WordPress will start logging all notices, warnings, and errors to a file located in /wp-content/debug.log.

Use Your Hosting Control Panel

If editing code isn’t your thing, many hosting providers make it easier through their dashboards. Hosts like SiteGround and Kinsta usually offer tools to enable and view error logs. Here’s what you can do:

• View PHP error logs directly from the WordPress admin dashboard.
• Use a built-in toggle to enable WordPress debugging.
• Open log files using the file manager or error log sections.

This method is ideal if you don’t want to touch WordPress files directly. It’s quick, safe, and beginner-friendly, especially if your host has WordPress-specific support tools.

Install a Debugging Plugin

If you’re not comfortable editing files or exploring your hosting panel, installing a plugin can make the whole process easier. With just a few clicks, you can start tracking errors right from your WordPress dashboard. Here are a few trusted options:

• Query Monitor: It’s one of the most popular tools. It logs PHP errors, database queries, hooks, and more.

• Debug Bar: It adds a new debug menu to the WordPress admin bar with error info.

• Error Log Viewer by BestWebSoft: It lets you access and manage the debug.log file from your admin panel.

These plugins are beginner-friendly and great for anyone who wants to debug without diving into code. They also give you real-time error visibility, which is super helpful when testing new themes or plugins.

Where to Find and Read the Log File in WordPress Setup

Once you’ve enabled error logging, WordPress automatically starts recording any issues it encounters. These logs are stored in a specific file inside your site’s directory. Knowing where to find this file and how to read it is important for troubleshooting problems effectively.

Default Log File Location

By default, WordPress saves the error log in this location:

/wp-content/debug.log

You can access it using:

• FTP client (like FileZilla)
• Hosting file manager (e.g., in cPanel or Plesk)
• SSH access (for advanced users)

Just navigate to the wp-content folder, and you’ll find a file named debug.log. If it’s not there, make sure logging is enabled correctly in your wp-config.php file.

What You’ll See Inside

The log file includes a running list of all the errors, warnings, and notices your site encounters. Each log entry typically contains the following:

• Date & Time: When the error occurred
• Error Type: Notice, warning, or fatal error
• File Path & Line Number: Exactly where the issue happened
• Error Message: Describing what went wrong

Real Log Entry Example:

Here’s a sample entry you might see:

[19-May-2025 13:23:44 UTC] PHP Notice:  Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called <strong>incorrectly</strong>. Translation loading for the <code>debug-bar</code> domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator of some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the <code>init</code> action or later. Please see <a href="https://developer.wordpress.org/advanced-administration/debug/debug-wordpress/">Debugging in WordPress</a> for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/ganabubobo4776/web/special-corncrake-491c6c.instawp.xyz/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6121

This tells you:

• The exact time the issue occurred
• That it’s a PHP Notice, not a critical error
• Which file and line caused the problem
• What the system thinks went wrong

Reading this helps you trace the problem back to a specific plugin, theme, or custom code. Once you get familiar with the format, troubleshooting becomes much faster and less frustrating.

How to Interpret and Fix Issues from Your WordPress Error Log?

Finding your error log is step one; figuring out what each message means is where the magic happens. Not every entry is urgent, so knowing the difference helps you define priorities.

Common WordPress Errors

Here are some common errors you will find in error logs:

Sample Log Breakdown

Here is a sample breakdown we will study:

[19-May-2025 13:10:25 UTC] PHP Fatal error: Call to undefined function get_custom_data() in /wp-content/themes/mytheme/functions.php on line 45

What this tells you:

• When it happened: 19 May 2025, 13:10 UTC
• What is the issue: Fatal error, missing function get_custom_data()
• Where is the issue: /wp-content/themes/mytheme/functions.php on line 45

Knowing this, you can go straight to the problem and fix it without endless trial and error.

Advanced WordPress Error Logging

Turning on logs is great, and managing them wisely is even better. Follow these tips to keep logging helpful, secure, and lightweight.

Best Practices for WordPress Logging

Here are some best practices you need to follow for better WordPress logging:

• Enable logs only when needed: Debugging should be temporary. Keep logging off on live sites unless you are actively fixing problems to avoid performance hits and security risks.
• Secure your log files: The debug.log can expose sensitive info like file paths and plugin details. Protect it by adding this to your .htaccess file:

 <Files "debug.log">

  Order allow,deny

  Deny from all

</Files>

• Clean or rotate logs regularly: Large log files can be hard to manage. Clear old logs periodically or set up automatic rotation to keep logs useful and lightweight.
• Use staging environments for debugging: Test changes and debug issues in a safe staging setup before applying them to your live site.

Advanced: Custom Logging for Developers

For developers, built-in logs might not capture all the details needed. Use PHP’s error_log() function to write custom messages:

error_log('Custom debug info: User ID is ' . get_current_user_id());

To log complex data structures, use:

error_log('Order details: ' . print_r($order_data, true));

This helps in tracking specific events like AJAX requests or plugin actions. For larger projects, consider connecting logs to tools like Sentry or New Relic for real-time monitoring and advanced analytics.

Overlooked Issues & Pro Tips

Here are some issues that usually go unnoticed but are important:

• Beware of sensitive info leaks: Debug logs may unintentionally expose passwords, API keys, or private data. Always restrict public access to logs and never leave debugging enabled on production sites.
• Use logs in automated testing: Incorporate error logging in your CI/CD pipelines or automated test suites to catch issues early during development, not just after deployment.

By following these best practices, using custom logging when needed, and staying aware of common issues, you’ll make your WordPress error logs a powerful tool for maintaining a secure and stable site.

FAQs About WordPress Error Logs

Conclusion

Error logs might sound technical, but they’re one of the easiest ways to spot what’s going wrong with your WordPress site. From plugin conflicts to broken code, the WordPress error log gives you clear clues about the root cause.

If your site is throwing random errors, acting slow, or showing the white screen of death, checking the error log is a smart first step. It helps you fix issues faster and avoid guesswork, especially when something breaks unexpectedly.

If you are not comfortable with log files or debugging code, our expert team offers reliable WordPress development services to handle it for you. We’ll help you track down issues, fix bugs, and keep your site running smoothly. Contact our team for a stress-free WordPress experience!