WPBeginner FAQ

Answers to your most common questions about WPBeginner.

Quick, simple, and helpful information at a glance.

What is WPBeginner?
WPBeginner is a popular WordPress resource site that offers tutorials, how-to guides, and tips to help beginners learn and improve their WordPress skills.
What do I do if I can't log in to my WPBeginner account?
First, make sure you are using the correct username and password. If you still can't log in, try resetting your password or clearing your browser's cache and cookies. If the problem persists, contact the WPBeginner support team for assistance.
How do I install a WordPress plugin?
You can install a plugin by going to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress dashboard. Then, search for the plugin you want to install and click on the "Install Now" button. Once it's installed, click on "Activate" to make it active on your site.
What should I do if my WordPress site is displaying a white screen?
This is commonly known as the "White Screen of Death" and can be caused by a number of issues, such as a plugin or theme conflict, PHP memory limit, or a corrupted file. To troubleshoot the issue, try disabling all plugins and switching to a default WordPress theme. If that doesn't work, reach out to WPBeginner's support team for assistance.
How do I optimize my WordPress site for search engines?
You can use SEO plugins like Yoast SEO or RankMath to help optimize your site for search engines. Additionally, make sure to have descriptive titles and meta descriptions for your pages and blog posts.
What is a 404 error and how do I fix it?
A 404 error occurs when a page on your site cannot be found. This can happen due to a broken link or a page that has been deleted. To fix it, you can try redirecting the URL to a functioning page or using a 301 redirect plugin.
How can I speed up my WordPress site?
To improve your site's loading speed, you can optimize your images, use a caching plugin, and choose a reliable hosting provider. You can also follow WPBeginner's guide on how to speed up WordPress.
What does the term "database connection error" mean?
This error typically means that your site is unable to connect to the database where all your site's information is stored. It can be caused by incorrect login credentials, corrupted database, or an issue with your hosting server. Follow WPBeginner's guide on how to fix the database connection error for troubleshooting steps.
Can I change my WordPress theme without affecting my content?
Yes, you can change your theme without losing any of your content. However, the new theme may have a different layout and design, so you may need to make some adjustments.
How do I add a contact form to my WordPress site?
You can use a plugin like WPForms or Contact Form 7 to easily add a contact form to your site. These plugins provide pre-built form templates that you can customize and add to your pages or posts.
What are permalinks and why are they important?
Permalinks are the permanent URLs of your site's pages and posts. They help with search engine optimization and make it easier for users to navigate and bookmark your site's content. You can set your permalink structure under Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard.
How do I create a backup of my WordPress site?
You can use a plugin like UpdraftPlus or Jetpack to create a backup of your entire site. These plugins offer automated backups and allow you to easily restore your site if anything goes wrong.
Why am I getting a "briefly unavailable for scheduled maintenance" message?
This message indicates that your site is undergoing a scheduled maintenance. It usually only lasts for a few seconds, but if it stays longer, it could mean that the maintenance was interrupted. You can manually delete the ".maintenance" file from your site's root directory to get your site back up.
How do I add custom CSS to my WordPress site?
You can add custom CSS by going to Appearance > Customize in your WordPress dashboard. Then, click on "Additional CSS" to add your code.
What is a permalink error and how do I fix it?
A permalink error occurs when your page or post's URL is no longer valid. This can happen if the page or post was deleted or if the permalink structure was changed. To fix it, you can reset your permalink structure in Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard.
Can I undo changes I made to my WordPress site?
Yes, most changes you make to your site can be undone by using the "undo" or "revert" option in the editor or by restoring a previous version of your page or post.
How do I set a featured image for my blog post?
In the WordPress editor, click on the "Featured Image" box on the right-hand side, and then click on "Set featured image" to choose or upload an image.
Am I allowed to use copyrighted images on my WordPress site?
No, it is not recommended to use copyrighted images on your site without permission from the owner. You can use royalty-free or Creative Commons images with proper attribution.
How do I create a child theme in WordPress?
You can follow WPBeginner's tutorial on how to create a child theme in WordPress. A child theme allows you to make changes to your site's design without affecting the parent theme.
Can I change my WordPress site's domain name?
Yes, it is possible to change your site's domain name, but it can be a complicated process. You can follow WPBeginner's guide on how to properly change your WordPress site's domain name.
What is a 403 Forbidden error and how do I fix it?
A 403 Forbidden error occurs when your server is denying access to a specific page or resource on your site. This could be caused by incorrect file permissions, a misconfigured security plugin, or a server misconfiguration. Check out WPBeginner's tutorial on how to fix the 403 Forbidden error in WordPress.
How do I add a custom favicon to my WordPress site?
You can upload a custom favicon by going to Appearance > Customize > Site Identity in your WordPress dashboard. Click on "Select a File" under the "Site Icon" option to upload your favicon.
How can I add Google Analytics to my WordPress site?
You can add Google Analytics tracking code to your site by using a plugin like MonsterInsights or by manually adding the code to your site's header.php file. Follow WPBeginner's guide on how to add Google Analytics in WordPress.
What is a 500 internal server error and how do I fix it?
A 500 internal server error is a generic error message that can occur due to various reasons, such as a plugin or theme conflict, exhausted PHP memory limit, or corrupted .htaccess file. You can check out WPBeginner's tutorial on how to fix the 500 internal server error in WordPress.