Plugin is causing website errors – what to do?

If your website is experiencing errors after installing or updating one of our WooCommerce plugins, don’t panic. Website errors are usually caused by plugin conflicts, server compatibility issues, or configuration problems that can be resolved with systematic troubleshooting.

Immediate Safety Steps

Step 1: Create a Backup

Before making any changes, create a complete backup of your site through your hosting provider’s backup tool or a backup plugin. This ensures you can restore your site if needed.

Step 2: Document the Error

Take screenshots of any error messages and note:

When the error first appeared
What you were doing when it occurred
Any specific error codes or messages
Which pages are affected

Quick Resolution Methods

Deactivate the Plugin Temporarily

If your site is completely broken:

Log into your WordPress admin dashboard
Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins
Find our plugin and click “Deactivate”
Check if your site returns to normal
If yes, proceed with the troubleshooting steps below

Check for Plugin Conflicts

Plugin conflicts are the most common cause of website errors.

Deactivate all plugins except our plugin and WooCommerce
Test your site functionality with minimal plugins active
Reactivate plugins one by one, testing after each activation
When the error returns, you’ve identified the conflicting plugin

Common Conflicting Plugin Types:

Other WooCommerce extensions that modify checkout or product pages
Caching plugins that interfere with dynamic content
Security plugins that block legitimate functionality
SEO plugins that modify page structure

Verify System Requirements

Ensure your server meets our plugin requirements:

Check WooCommerce System Status:

Go to WooCommerce → Status
Review the “System Status” tab for red warning indicators
Address any critical issues highlighted in red

Essential Requirements:

WordPress 5.0 or higher
WooCommerce 4.0 or higher
PHP 7.4 or higher
Memory limit: 256MB minimum (512MB recommended)

Clear All Caching

Caching issues can cause persistent errors even after fixes:

Clear plugin caches: Disable and flush caches in plugins like W3 Total Cache or WP Rocket
Clear browser cache: Use Ctrl+F5 (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+R (Mac) to hard refresh
Clear server cache: Contact your hosting provider if you use server-level caching
Clear CDN cache: Flush CDN caches if using Cloudflare or similar services

Wait 5-10 minutes after clearing all caches, then test in an incognito browser window.

Advanced Troubleshooting

Enable Debug Mode

For detailed error information:

Access your site files via FTP or hosting file manager
Edit the wp-config.php file
Add these lines above the “/* That’s all, stop editing!” line:

define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);

Check /wp-content/debug.log for specific error details.

Test Theme Compatibility

Theme conflicts can cause plugin errors:

Temporarily switch to a default WordPress theme (Twenty Twenty-Three)
Test our plugin’s functionality with the default theme
If errors resolve, contact your theme developer about compatibility

Check for Recent Changes

Identify what triggered the error:

Recent plugin installations or updates
WordPress core or WooCommerce updates
Theme changes or customizations
Server or hosting changes

Common Error Types and Solutions

White Screen of Death (WSOD)

Cause: Usually memory limit exceeded or fatal PHP errors
Solution: Increase PHP memory limit or identify conflicting code

500 Internal Server Error

Cause: Server configuration issues or plugin conflicts
Solution: Check error logs and deactivate plugins systematically

Plugin-Specific Errors

Cause: Missing dependencies or configuration issues
Solution: Verify WooCommerce is active and properly configured

Database Errors

Cause: Plugin conflicts affecting database operations
Solution: Check for plugins modifying WooCommerce database tables

Prevention Strategies

Regular Maintenance:

Keep all plugins updated to their latest versions
Test updates on staging sites before applying to live sites
Remove unused or outdated plugins
Monitor site performance after any changes

Smart Plugin Management:

Research plugin compatibility before installation
Maintain regular backups
Use staging environments for testing
Keep detailed records of plugin changes

When to Contact Support

Contact our support team if:

You’ve followed all troubleshooting steps without success
The error affects core plugin functionality
You’re seeing specific error messages related to our plugin
Multiple troubleshooting attempts haven’t resolved the issue

Include in your support request:

WordPress and WooCommerce version numbers
Complete error messages (exact text)
List of active plugins and their versions
Steps you’ve already taken to troubleshoot
Screenshots of error messages
Results from the plugin conflict test

Need More Help?

Our support team responds within 24 hours during business days and specializes in resolving complex plugin issues. Contact us through our support form with your troubleshooting details, and we’ll help identify the specific cause of your website errors.

Remember: Most plugin errors are temporary and solvable with systematic troubleshooting. Take your time with each step, and don’t hesitate to reach out for professional assistance when needed.

Help Desk