Troubleshooting Common Website Errors

Troubleshooting Common Website Errors

Learn how to identify and resolve common website errors on Afrinet hosting:

Common Error Codes and Solutions:

500 Internal Server Error:

• Causes:
  • Incorrect .htaccess file
  • PHP memory limit exceeded
  • Corrupted WordPress plugins/themes
  • File permission issues
• Solutions:
  • Rename .htaccess file to .htaccess_old
  • Increase PHP memory limit in cPanel
  • Disable plugins via FTP/File Manager
  • Check error logs in cPanel

404 Not Found Error:

• Causes:
  • Broken or moved pages
  • Incorrect permalink structure
  • Missing files or directories
• Solutions:
  • Check URL for typos
  • Reset permalinks in WordPress
  • Restore missing files from backup
  • Create redirects for moved content

403 Forbidden Error:

• Causes:
  • Incorrect file permissions
  • Index file missing
  • Hotlinking protection blocking
• Solutions:
  • Set correct file permissions (644 for files, 755 for folders)
  • Ensure index.php or index.html exists
  • Check hotlinking settings in cPanel

Establishing Database Connection Error:

• Causes:
  • Incorrect database credentials
  • Database server issues
  • Corrupted database
• Solutions:
  • Verify database details in config file
  • Check if database user has permissions
  • Repair database via phpMyAdmin
  • Contact support for server issues

General Troubleshooting Steps:

1. Clear browser cache and cookies
2. Check cPanel error logs
3. Disable plugins/extensions
4. Test with default browser
5. Check resource usage in cPanel
6. Verify domain DNS settings

When to Contact Support:

• Errors persist after basic troubleshooting
• Server-related error messages
• Resource limit warnings
• Security concerns or hacking attempts

Pro Tip: Always maintain recent backups before making significant changes to your website.