Are you a WordPress user struggling with the frustrating “WordPress Error Moving to Trash” message? Fear not, a solution is here! This article will guide you through the steps to fix this common issue, ensuring you can effortlessly delete unwanted items from your WordPress site. Say goodbye to the hassle of error messages and hello to a smoother WordPress experience.
This image is property of scanwp.net.
Clearing Cache
Clear browser cache
Clearing your browser cache can help resolve various issues with your WordPress website. Your browser cache stores temporary files, including images, scripts, and stylesheets, to improve page loading times. However, sometimes these cached files can become outdated or corrupted, leading to errors.
To clear your browser cache, simply follow these steps:
- Open your browser settings. This can usually be done by clicking on the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of your browser window.
- Locate the “History” or “Privacy & Security” section in the settings menu.
- Look for an option related to clearing browsing data or cache. The exact wording may vary depending on your browser.
- Select the appropriate options to clear your cache. You may have the option to clear cookies and other site data as well.
- Once you’ve selected the desired options, click on the “Clear” or “Delete” button to clear your cache.
After clearing your browser cache, try accessing your WordPress website again to see if the issue has been resolved.
Clear WordPress cache
In addition to your browser cache, WordPress itself also has a built-in caching system that can improve the performance of your website. However, sometimes this cache can become outdated or conflicted with certain plugins or settings, resulting in errors.
To clear the WordPress cache, you can follow these steps:
- If you have a caching plugin installed, such as WP Super Cache or W3 Total Cache, navigate to the plugin’s settings page.
- Look for an option to clear the cache or delete cached files. This option is often located in the general settings or cache management section.
- Click on the appropriate button to clear the cache. Some caching plugins may require you to clear the cache from the WordPress dashboard as well.
- After clearing the cache, try accessing your WordPress website again to see if the issue has been resolved.
If you don’t have a caching plugin installed, you can consider installing one to optimize your website’s performance in the future.
Clear plugin cache
In addition to the WordPress cache, individual plugins may also have their own caching systems that store temporary data. These caches can sometimes become outdated or conflicted, leading to errors.
To clear the cache of a specific plugin, you can follow these steps:
- Access the plugin’s settings page from the WordPress dashboard.
- Look for an option related to cache management or clearing the plugin’s cache.
- Click on the appropriate button to clear the cache.
- After clearing the cache, try accessing your WordPress website again to see if the issue has been resolved.
It’s worth noting that not all plugins have cache management options, so if you’re experiencing issues with a specific plugin, you may need to explore alternative troubleshooting methods.
Updating WordPress and Plugins
Update WordPress to the latest version
Keeping your WordPress installation up to date is crucial for maintaining the security and stability of your website. WordPress updates often include bug fixes, security patches, and new features. By updating to the latest version, you can ensure that your website is running on the most optimized and secure version of WordPress.
To update WordPress to the latest version, follow these steps:
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- If there is a new version of WordPress available, you will see a notification at the top of the dashboard.
- Click on the “Please update now” link or navigate to the “Updates” page in the dashboard menu.
- On the “Updates” page, you will see a list of available updates. Check the box next to WordPress and click on the “Update Now” button.
- WordPress will now download and install the latest version. Once the update is complete, you will be redirected to the dashboard.
It’s important to note that before performing any updates, it’s recommended to create a backup of your website to ensure that you can restore it in case of any issues during the update process.
Update plugins to the latest version
Plugins are an essential part of a WordPress website, as they add functionality and features to your site. However, outdated plugins can sometimes cause conflicts or security vulnerabilities. Updating your plugins to the latest versions ensures that you have access to the most recent bug fixes, security patches, and features.
To update plugins to the latest versions, follow these steps:
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Navigate to the “Plugins” page in the dashboard menu.
- On the “Plugins” page, you will see a list of installed plugins. If any of them have updates available, you will see a notification next to the plugin name.
- Check the boxes next to the plugins you want to update, or select the “Select All” option to update all plugins.
- Click on the “Update” button to start the update process.
- WordPress will now download and install the latest versions of the selected plugins. Once the updates are complete, you will see a notification confirming the successful update.
Regularly updating your WordPress installation and plugins is essential for maintaining a secure and efficient website.
Checking for Theme Conflicts
Temporarily switch to a default WordPress theme
If you’re experiencing issues or errors on your WordPress website, it’s possible that the problem is related to your current theme. By temporarily switching to a default WordPress theme, you can determine whether the issue is theme-specific or not.
To switch to a default WordPress theme, follow these steps:
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Navigate to the “Appearance” or “Themes” page in the dashboard menu.
- On the “Themes” page, you will see a list of installed themes. Look for a default WordPress theme such as “Twenty Twenty-One” or “Twenty Twenty”.
- Hover over the default theme and click on the “Activate” button.
- Your website will now switch to the default theme. Refresh your website to see if the issue persists.
If the issue is resolved after switching to the default theme, it indicates that there might be a conflict with your previous theme. At this point, you can reach out to the theme developer for support or consider switching to a different theme.
Deactivate all plugins and reactivate them one by one
Plugins can sometimes conflict with each other or with the theme, resulting in errors or unexpected behavior on your WordPress website. To determine if a plugin is causing the issue, you can deactivate all plugins and reactivate them one by one, testing your website after each reactivation.
To deactivate and reactivate plugins, follow these steps:
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Navigate to the “Plugins” page in the dashboard menu.
- Check the box next to each installed plugin to select them all.
- From the “Bulk Actions” dropdown menu, select the “Deactivate” option.
- Click on the “Apply” button to deactivate all selected plugins.
- Once all plugins are deactivated, refresh your website to see if the issue is resolved.
- If the issue is resolved, start reactivating your plugins one at a time.
- Refresh your website after each reactivation to check if the issue reoccurs.
- If the issue reoccurs after activating a specific plugin, it indicates that the plugin may be the cause of the problem. At this point, you can reach out to the plugin developer for support or consider finding an alternative plugin.
By systematically deactivating and reactivating plugins, you can identify the specific plugin causing the issue and take appropriate actions to resolve it.
Increasing Memory Limit
Edit wp-config.php file
The memory limit of your WordPress installation determines how much memory is allocated for PHP scripts to run. If you’re experiencing memory-related issues, such as white screens or error messages, increasing the memory limit can help resolve the problem.
To increase the memory limit by editing the wp-config.php file, follow these steps:
- Access your WordPress files using an FTP client or file manager provided by your hosting provider.
- Locate the wp-config.php file in the root directory of your WordPress installation.
- Download a copy of the wp-config.php file to your computer as a backup.
- Open the wp-config.php file using a text editor.
- Look for a line that says
define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '64M');
. - If the line exists, increase the memory limit value. For example, you can change it to
define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '128M');
. - If the line doesn’t exist, add the following line above the line that says
/* That's all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */
:define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '128M');
- Save the changes and upload the modified wp-config.php file back to your WordPress installation.
- Refresh your website to see if the memory-related issue has been resolved.
Increasing the memory limit can provide more resources for your WordPress website, helping it run smoothly and handle resource-intensive tasks.
Edit .htaccess file
Another way to increase the memory limit of your WordPress website is by modifying the .htaccess file, which is located in the root directory of your WordPress installation. The .htaccess file is used to configure various aspects of your website’s server settings.
To increase the memory limit by editing the .htaccess file, follow these steps:
- Access your WordPress files using an FTP client or file manager provided by your hosting provider.
- Locate the .htaccess file in the root directory of your WordPress installation.
- Download a copy of the .htaccess file to your computer as a backup.
- Open the .htaccess file using a text editor.
- Add the following line at the bottom of the file:
php_value memory_limit 128M
Note that the value “128M” can be adjusted based on your requirements.
- Save the changes and upload the modified .htaccess file back to your WordPress installation.
- Refresh your website to see if the memory-related issue has been resolved.
Modifying the .htaccess file can help increase the memory limit for your WordPress website, allowing it to handle larger tasks and complex functions.
This image is property of www.wpbeginner.com.
Disabling Error Logging
Disable PHP error logging
PHP error logging can be helpful for troubleshooting issues with your WordPress website. However, in some cases, it can cause server resource usage to increase, leading to performance-related problems.
To disable PHP error logging, follow these steps:
- Access your WordPress files using an FTP client or file manager provided by your hosting provider.
- Locate the php.ini file in the root directory of your WordPress installation. Note that this file may be hidden, so make sure to enable the option to view hidden files in your FTP client or file manager.
- Download a copy of the php.ini file to your computer as a backup.
- Open the php.ini file using a text editor.
- Look for a line that says
error_reporting = E_ALL
. - Comment out the line by adding a semicolon (;) at the beginning, like this:
;error_reporting = E_ALL
- Save the changes and upload the modified php.ini file back to your WordPress installation.
- Refresh your website to see if the performance-related issue has been resolved.
Disabling PHP error logging can help prevent excessive resource usage on your server, improving the overall performance of your WordPress website.
Checking File and Folder Permissions
Set correct file permissions
File permissions determine who can read, write, or execute files on your server. Incorrect file permissions can cause various issues, including file upload errors, plugin installation failures, and security vulnerabilities.
To set the correct file permissions, follow these steps:
- Access your WordPress files using an FTP client or file manager provided by your hosting provider.
- Select the files and folders for which you want to set permissions. This usually includes all files and folders within the WordPress installation directory.
- Right-click on the selected files and folders and choose the “File Permissions” or “CHMOD” option.
- Set the numeric value for the permissions based on the desired level of access. The recommended permissions for most files are “644” (read-write for owner, read-only for group and others), and for most folders, the recommended permissions are “755” (read-write-execute for owner, read-execute for group and others).
- Check the option to apply the changes recursively to all subfolders and files.
- Click on the “Save” or “OK” button to apply the permissions changes.
- Refresh your website to see if any file-related issues have been resolved.
By setting the correct file permissions, you can ensure the security and functionality of your WordPress website.
Set correct folder permissions
In addition to file permissions, folder permissions also play a crucial role in the proper functioning of your WordPress website. Incorrect folder permissions can cause issues like the inability to upload files or create new directories.
To set the correct folder permissions, follow these steps:
- Access your WordPress files using an FTP client or file manager provided by your hosting provider.
- Select the folders for which you want to set permissions. This usually includes directories like “wp-content”, “wp-admin”, and “wp-includes”.
- Right-click on the selected folders and choose the “File Permissions” or “CHMOD” option.
- Set the numeric value for the permissions based on the desired level of access. The recommended permissions for most folders are “755” (read-write-execute for owner, read-execute for group and others).
- Check the option to apply the changes recursively to all subfolders and files.
- Click on the “Save” or “OK” button to apply the permissions changes.
- Refresh your website to see if any folder-related issues have been resolved.
Setting the correct folder permissions ensures that your WordPress website has the necessary access to perform essential tasks, such as uploading files and modifying content.
This image is property of www.wpbeginner.com.
Troubleshooting with a Plugin
Install and activate a troubleshooting plugin
When faced with complex issues on your WordPress website, a troubleshooting plugin can be a valuable tool to diagnose and troubleshoot the problem effectively. These plugins help isolate conflicts, identify problematic themes or plugins, and provide valuable insights into what might be causing the issue.
To use a troubleshooting plugin, follow these steps:
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Navigate to the “Plugins” page in the dashboard menu.
- Click on the “Add New” button to access the plugin installation page.
- In the search bar, type the name of a popular troubleshooting plugin, such as “Health Check & Troubleshooting” or “Query Monitor”.
- Look for the desired troubleshooting plugin in the search results and click on the “Install Now” button.
- Once the plugin is installed, click on the “Activate” button to activate the plugin.
- Follow the instructions provided by the plugin to diagnose and troubleshoot the issue on your WordPress website.
Using a troubleshooting plugin can help identify the root cause of the problem and provide useful information for resolving the issue.
Use the plugin to diagnose the issue
After activating the troubleshooting plugin, you can use its features to diagnose the issue on your WordPress website. The specific options and functionalities may vary depending on the plugin you choose. However, most troubleshooting plugins offer common features like conflict tests, error logs, and debugging tools.
To diagnose the issue using a troubleshooting plugin, follow these steps:
- Access the settings or dashboard of the installed troubleshooting plugin.
- Explore the available options and features to identify the specific issue you’re facing.
- Perform conflict tests by selectively deactivating plugins or switching themes to determine if conflicts are causing the problem.
- Check error logs or debugging information provided by the plugin to get insights into the issue.
- Use the troubleshooting plugin’s tools or utilities to perform specific tests or inspections related to your problem.
- Based on the findings, take the necessary actions to resolve the identified issues.
By leveraging the capabilities of a troubleshooting plugin, you can effectively diagnose the problem and take targeted steps towards resolving it.
Repairing Database
Install and activate a database repair plugin
If you’re experiencing database-related issues with your WordPress website, a database repair plugin can help identify and fix common problems within the database. These plugins often provide tools and utilities to diagnose issues, repair corrupted tables, optimize database performance, and perform routine maintenance tasks.
To install and activate a database repair plugin, follow these steps:
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Navigate to the “Plugins” page in the dashboard menu.
- Click on the “Add New” button to access the plugin installation page.
- In the search bar, type the name of a popular database repair plugin, such as “WP-Optimize” or “Advanced Database Cleaner”.
- Look for the desired database repair plugin in the search results and click on the “Install Now” button.
- Once the plugin is installed, click on the “Activate” button to activate the plugin.
- Proceed to the plugin’s settings or dashboard to utilize its features for repairing your WordPress database.
By using a dedicated database repair plugin, you can detect and resolve database-related issues, ensuring the proper functioning of your WordPress website.
Run the repair tool
After activating the database repair plugin, you can run its repair tool to scan and fix any potential issues present in your WordPress database. The specific steps may vary depending on the plugin you choose, but the general process involves initiating the scan, reviewing the results, and applying the recommended repairs.
To run the repair tool using a database repair plugin, follow these steps:
- Access the settings or dashboard of the installed database repair plugin.
- Look for an option related to scanning or repairing the database.
- Click on the appropriate button to begin the database scan.
- Wait for the scan to complete. This process may take a few minutes, depending on the size of your database.
- Review the scan results provided by the plugin. It may highlight any found issues or recommend optimizations.
- If the plugin offers an automatic repair option, you can proceed with the recommended repairs by clicking on the corresponding button.
- Alternatively, if the plugin provides manual repair instructions, follow the recommended steps to manually fix the identified issues.
Running the repair tool provided by a dedicated database repair plugin can help restore the integrity and performance of your WordPress database.
This image is property of www.wpbeginner.com.
Reinstalling WordPress Core Files
Download a fresh copy of WordPress
If your WordPress core files become corrupted or compromised, reinstalling the WordPress software can help restore the integrity and functionality of your website. To reinstall WordPress, you need to obtain a fresh copy of the WordPress files directly from the official WordPress website.
To download a fresh copy of WordPress, follow these steps:
- Visit the official WordPress website at wordpress.org.
- Click on the “Get WordPress” or “Download WordPress” button prominently displayed on the homepage.
- The website will automatically detect your operating system and provide you with the correct download package. Click on the “Download WordPress” button to start the download.
- Save the downloaded zip file to your computer.
Replace core files with the fresh copy
After downloading a fresh copy of WordPress, you can replace the existing core files on your WordPress installation with the new files. This process ensures that any corrupted or compromised files are replaced with clean copies from the official source.
To replace the core files with the fresh copy, follow these steps:
- Access your WordPress files using an FTP client or file manager provided by your hosting provider.
- Locate the root directory of your WordPress installation.
- Extract the contents of the downloaded zip file to a temporary folder on your computer.
- Select all the extracted files and folders.
- Upload the selected files and folders, overwriting the existing files and folders in your WordPress installation directory.
- Depending on the FTP client or file manager you’re using, you may need to confirm the file overwrite process when prompted.
- Once the upload is complete, refresh your website to see if the issues have been resolved.
By reinstalling the WordPress core files, you can ensure that your website’s software is clean and free from any corrupt or compromised files.
Contacting Support
Reach out to WordPress support
If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps mentioned above and are still experiencing issues with your WordPress website, reaching out to WordPress support can be an effective way to get assistance. The WordPress support team consists of knowledgeable professionals who can help troubleshoot and resolve complex issues related to the WordPress software.
To contact WordPress support, follow these steps:
- Visit the official WordPress support website at wordpress.org/support.
- Select the category that best matches your issue or question.
- Browse the available topics and articles to see if there is a solution or answer to your problem.
- If you still require assistance, click on the “Contact” or “Get Support” button.
- Depending on your issue, you may be directed to submit a support ticket, join a community forum, or reach out through other available support channels.
- Provide a detailed description of your issue, including any error messages or steps to reproduce the problem.
- Submit your support request and wait for a response from the WordPress support team.
Reaching out to WordPress support ensures that you receive specialized assistance from the experts who are familiar with the WordPress software and its intricacies.
Seek assistance from hosting provider
In some cases, the issue with your WordPress website may be related to your hosting environment or server configurations. If you suspect hosting-related issues, contacting your hosting provider’s support team can help resolve the problems effectively.
To seek assistance from your hosting provider, follow these steps:
- Locate the contact details of your hosting provider. This information is typically available on their website or through your hosting account dashboard.
- Depending on the available contact options, reach out to the hosting provider’s support team through phone, email, or live chat.
- Provide a detailed description of the issue, explaining any error messages, steps to reproduce the problem, and any troubleshooting steps you’ve already taken.
- Follow any instructions or suggestions provided by the hosting provider’s support team.
- Engage in a two-way conversation with the support team, providing further information or clarification as requested.
- Work collaboratively with the hosting provider’s support team until the issue is resolved.
By seeking assistance from your hosting provider, you can ensure that any hosting-related issues are addressed promptly, allowing your WordPress website to function optimally.
In conclusion, troubleshooting and resolving issues with your WordPress website require a systematic approach and familiarity with various troubleshooting techniques. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can effectively address common issues related to cache, updates, conflicts, memory limits, error logging, file and folder permissions, plugins, database, core files, and seek assistance from WordPress support or your hosting provider. Remember to always back up your website before making any changes or updates, and don’t hesitate to seek professional help if needed. With the right tools and knowledge, you can keep your WordPress website running smoothly and efficiently.