As a WordPress user, there comes a time when you have to deal with error messages and warnings. Many troubleshooting guides direct you to the WordPress error logs. But what are they?
WordPress error logs list all the issues on your site, including the error code and the date/time they occurred. They make it possible to identify the exact cause of the problem so you can fix it quickly. To access the log file, you’ll have to use a plugin or edit the wp-config.php file.
In this post, we’ll explain what WordPress error logs are and why they’re useful. Then, we’ll show you how to enable WordPress debug mode and access your WordPress logs. Let’s get to it!
What Are WordPress Error Logs (& Why Are They Useful)?
If you encounter issues with your WordPress website, error logs can accelerate the troubleshooting process. They enable you to spot the source of problems, whether it’s slow performance, plugin conflicts, or bad code.
The error log file consists of error messages that include the date and time when they occurred. Once you enable WordPress debug mode, the messages are collated in one central file for you to review.
By checking the error logs, you can troubleshoot issues like the white screen of death, timeout errors, PHP errors, connection errors, and more. You can even prevent future problems by reviewing error logs regularly.
WordPress error logs also provide details about user actions on your website. This makes them valuable for your site’s security since you can spot unauthorized access attempts or other suspicious activities.
While error logs help protect your WordPress site, they also offer valuable information about your site’s performance. For example, they could reveal bottlenecks or UX issues, which you can address to optimize loading times.
How to Access WordPress Error Logs (4 Steps)
Now that you know why it’s important to examine error logs, let’s take a look at how to access them.
1. Enable WordPress Debug Mode
The first step to accessing your WordPress error log file is to enable WordPress debug mode (which is turned off by default).
Experienced users can do this using code. For beginners, it’s probably easier to use a plugin.
If you’re going to use code, you’ll need to edit the wp-config.php file via FTP software or the file manager in your hosting control panel.
At the bottom of the file, you’ll see the line: That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging.
Just before that line, add the following code:
define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );
define( 'WP_DEBUG_LOG', true );
If you don’t have access to your website files or you’re not comfortable using code, you can install the free WP Debugging plugin via the WordPress dashboard.
Just head to Plugins > Add New Plugin and use the search bar to find the tool. Then, click on Install Now > Activate:
The plugin automatically activates WordPress debug mode, so all error messages will now be listed in the log file.
2. Access the Error Log File
Whether you’ve enabled debug mode using code or the WP Debugging plugin, the method for finding the error log file is the same.
Unless your website has active errors, your WordPress error logs will currently be empty. Most users enable debug mode so that future error messages get stored in the file for review.
Therefore, if there’s a repeated issue on your site, you’ll need to recreate the problem to ensure that the error message gets logged. So, now’s the time to revisit the pages or posts that are causing the issue.
After that, you’ll need to connect to your website files using a file manager or an FTP client like FileZilla. Once you’ve established an FTP connection, look for the wp-content folder within the root directory of your WordPress site.
Inside that folder, you should see the debug.log file, which contains all the error messages and notices for your website. You can view the file right away, or download it to your computer.
As we mentioned earlier, this file provides other valuable information about errors, including the dates and times when they occurred. Once you locate the error message and code, you’ll be in a better position to find a solution.
3. Fix Errors in the WordPress Logs
In the debug log, each entry typically features the date, time, code, path file, and visitor’s IP address.
Advanced users might be able to use the information to identify the file and line of code causing the issue. If this is the case, you can go ahead and fix errors yourself, correcting syntax or other problems.
But for most WordPress users, the error logs might not make much sense. In that case, it’s a good idea to note the error message and the corresponding code. Then, you can look up the meaning of the error code to understand the problem.
There are plenty of online resources like guides and tutorials that might be of help. You could utilize official WordPress forums, contact your web hosting provider, or reach out to the plugin/theme developer (if a plugin or theme is causing the issue).
Depending on the WordPress error, you may need to update links to files that have been moved or deleted. However, you may also be able to clear errors by restoring a website backup.
4. Disable WordPress Debug Mode
Once you’ve resolved the issue, there’s no need to leave debug mode turned on. It could slow down your site and lead to security issues.
If you used a plugin to enable error logging, all you have to do is deactivate the plugin. From the WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Installed Plugins and use the Deactivate link beneath the tool:
If you enabled debug mode using code, you’ll have to edit the wp-config.php file once again. In the file, simply change the ‘true’ values to ‘false’, for both WP_DEBUG and WP_DEBUG_LOG.
Best Practices for Managing WordPress Error Logs
WordPress error logs help keep your WordPress website secure. They detect irregular activities so they’re valuable for diagnosing and troubleshooting issues.
With that in mind, here are some guidelines for managing your WordPress error logs:
- Check error logs regularly. Get into the habit of monitoring the error logs for new messages. This can help you catch issues early and protect your WordPress site from potential threats.
- Secure log files. WordPress logs contain sensitive information, so they must be stored safely. Make sure that you have correct file permissions or use .htaccess rules to prevent unauthorized users from editing files.
- Backup before troubleshooting. Before you troubleshoot errors on your website, you’ll need to have a recent backup. This way, you can easily restore your site in case something goes wrong.
- Understand error messages. In the log file, you’ll find various types of errors (e.g. warnings, notices, fatal errors). It’s a good idea to educate yourself about the error messages to troubleshoot more effectively.
- Clean up error logs. WordPress error logs grow over time, taking up more server space, and making it harder to detect issues. To keep things manageable, you should clean out old entries after resolving problems.
If you plan to use log management plugins, you’ll also need to keep these up-to-date. This ensures that your site continues to run smoothly and it helps you avoid security issues.
Conclusion
WordPress error logs take the guesswork out of troubleshooting issues on your website. They can reveal compatibility problems, performance bottlenecks, poor coding practices, and more. As such, you’re able to fix these errors without delay.
To recap, here’s how to access WordPress error logs:
- Enable WordPress debug mode.
- Access the error log file.
- Fix errors in the WordPress logs.
- Disable WordPress debug mode.
If you’re still having problems, you’ll want to contact your web host for assistance. At NameHero, we offer managed WordPress hosting with 24/7 support through live chat. Check out our plans today!
Sophia is a staff writer at WordCandy.co, where she produces quality blog content for WordPress plugin and theme developers, hosting providers, website development and design agencies, and other online businesses.
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