Debugging can be a challenging but essential part of the WordPress development process. This tutorial will guide you through the steps to effectively debug your WordPress website.

Common Debugging Techniques

  1. Use the WordPress Debug Log

    • Enable WordPress debug logging by setting the WP_DEBUG constant to true in your wp-config.php file.
    • Check the debug.log file in your WordPress installation directory to see error messages and warnings.

  2. Check Error Messages

    • Look for any error messages displayed on your website. They often provide clues about what's going wrong.

  3. Use an Online Debugger

    • Tools like Xdebug can help you debug PHP code by providing a detailed error log.

  4. Inspect Your Theme and Plugins

    • If you suspect a plugin or theme is causing the issue, deactivate them one by one to identify the problem.

Debugging Example

Let's say you're experiencing a white screen of death (WSOD) on your website. Here's how you might debug it:

  1. Enable Debugging

    • In your wp-config.php file, add the following line:
      define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);
@ini_set('display_errors', 0);

  2. Check the debug.log File

    • Look for any error messages in the debug.log file. For example:
      [2023-04-01 12:34:56] PHP Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Call to undefined function my_custom_function() in /path/to/your-theme/my-theme.php:10

  3. Identify the Problem

    • From the error message, you can see that the function my_custom_function() is not defined. This means there might be a typo in the function name or the function is not included properly.

  4. Fix the Issue

    • Correct the typo or ensure the function is included properly.

  5. Disable Debugging

    • Once you've resolved the issue, remove the WP_DEBUG and WP_DEBUG_LOG constants from your wp-config.php file.

Learn More

For more advanced debugging techniques and tips, check out our WordPress Development blog.

PHP Debugging

Remember, debugging can sometimes be time-consuming, but it's crucial for maintaining a stable and secure WordPress website.