once its sorted, change teh process: update on a staging copy first, and update a few plugins at a time. many hosts include one-click staging. also check the PHP version; a plugin update that drops support for an old PHP version is a classic cause of exactly this.
Say u update several plugins at once and the whole WordPress site, admin included, goes blank. uve got file acecss but no clue which update did it.
The front end shows teh generic critical error mesasge and the login page does the same, so teh dashboard isnt an option. Restoring a backup would work but might throw away recent changes, which Id rather avoid. pls help 🙏
yeahhh also check your email. since recovery mode was added, WordPress often emails the admin address a special link that lets u log in with teh broken plugin paused. worth looking in spam before digging through FTP. the link is time-limited, so use it reasonably soon.
Restoring last nights backup gets u back online fast, but Id avoid it as the first move on a shop. Any orders placed since the backup would be lost from the database. Disabling the broken plugin keeps everything intact; save full restores for when you cant find the cause.
ahh classic turn on logging to see the actual error instead of guessing. in wp-config.php:
define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );
define( 'WP_DEBUG_LOG', true );
define( 'WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false );
Reload teh page, then check wp-content/debug.log. The fatal error usually names teh plugin folder in teh file path. Turn it off again afterwards.
@uma.walsh debug.log pointed at one plugin needing a newer PHP. Renamed its folder, site came back, then upgraded PHP via the host panel and reactivated it. All good.
if u prefer video, this one is solid:
▶ FIXED There has been a critical error on this website - Critical error on your website quick fix
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