As a WordPress user, running into occasional issues with your website is inevitable. No code is perfect, and eventually, you might find yourself having to deal with debugging in WordPress.
The good news is that doing so is a relatively quick and straightforward process. There are also several methods you can use to debug WordPress, depending on your experience level.
In this post, we will start by discussing how debugging in WordPress works and how it can help streamline the coding experience. Then we will explain the various debugging tools and features that you can use. Let’s get started!
An introduction to debugging in WordPress
In case you’re unfamiliar, debugging is the process of identifying and resolving errors in your code. It’s an important part of any development project because it helps remove bugs that could cause major issues. Some examples of debugging include:
- Unit tests
- Pair programming
- Code reviews
Debugging in WordPress is best done before taking your project live. You should consider doing it as the final stage of the testing and review process. That way, you can ensure a positive User Experience (UX) and help improve the quality of your code.
Debugging tools and strategies aren’t strictly for developers, either. For example, you can use debugging as a site owner to learn more information about errors that arise on your website.
Let’s say your website suddenly crashes, or you’re faced with the White Screen of Death (WSoD). The issue could very likely be due to a problem with a plugin or theme. For example, a necessary update or a compatibility issue could cause it.
Unfortunately, figuring out the exact source of the error isn’t always straightforward or immediately apparent. You often have to do some troubleshooting, such as deactivating all of your plugins and themes, to help narrow your focus.
This can be a tedious and time-consuming process, especially if many plugins and themes are installed on your website. Fortunately, this is where debugging comes in. Debug mode can notify you of PHP errors and warnings that occur on your site.
3 methods for debugging in WordPress
As we mentioned, there are a handful of ways that you can go about debugging in WordPress. The Content Management System (CMS) comes with a built-in debugging system.
However, there are also a variety of helpful tools and plugins you can use as well. Below are three key tips you can use for handling debugging in WordPress.
1. Activate WP_DEBUG mode manually
One of the quickest and easiest ways to debug in WordPress is to activate the built-in feature. You can do this by editing your site’s wp-config.php file. This log keeps a record of activity on your site and can help you effectively troubleshoot problems that arise.
To activate it, you can navigate to the root directory of your website. You can do this either through your hosting provider’s File Manager or by using a
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This article was written by Will Morris and originally published on ManageWP.