How to Find and Access WordPress Error Logs

Introduction

Running a WordPress website is exciting—until something goes wrong. Maybe your site suddenly shows a white screen, plugins stop working, or checkout errors pop up out of nowhere. In these moments, figuring out the “why” can feel overwhelming. That’s where error logs come in. If you’ve ever wondered how to find and access WordPress error logs, you’re in the right place. Error logs act like your site’s diary, recording what went wrong and when. By reading these logs, you can quickly diagnose problems and fix them before they turn into bigger headaches.

In this guide, we’ll walk you step by step through enabling, finding, and reading WordPress error logs. You don’t need to be a tech genius—just follow along, and you’ll have the tools to troubleshoot issues with confidence.

Why WordPress Error Logs Are Important

Think of error logs as a behind-the-scenes look at your website’s health. Instead of guessing why something broke, the logs tell you directly. Here’s why they matter:

• Identify hidden issues: Some errors don’t appear on the front end but still affect your site.
• Speed up troubleshooting: No more guessing games—you get specific error messages.
• Help developers help you: If you ever hire a developer, error logs are their first stop.
• Prevent bigger problems: Catch small errors before they take down your entire site.

Without logs, fixing problems is like solving a puzzle with missing pieces.

How to Enable WordPress Error Logs

By default, WordPress may not display or log errors. You need to enable logging manually. Don’t worry—it only takes a few steps:

1. Access your WordPress files
   • Use cPanel File Manager or an FTP client like FileZilla.
   • Locate your wp-config.php file (usually in the root directory).
2. Edit the wp-config.php file

Find the line that says:

define( 'WP_DEBUG', false );

Replace it with:

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

Save changes

Now WordPress will log errors into a file called debug.log instead of showing them on your site (which keeps things professional for visitors).

This ensures that every time an error occurs, WordPress records it safely for you to review.

Where to Find WordPress Error Logs

Once enabled, the logs are stored inside your website’s file structure. Here’s where to look:

• Navigate to:
  /wp-content/debug.log
• Download the file using File Manager or FTP.
• Open it with any text editor (Notepad, VS Code, Sublime).

Inside, you’ll see entries with timestamps, file paths, and descriptions of the error. For example:

[25-Aug-2025 10:42:11 UTC] PHP Warning:  Undefined variable $price in /wp-content/plugins/woo-cart.php on line 85

This tells you exactly what went wrong and where to look.

Common Issues Found in Error Logs

When you first peek at the logs, don’t panic if it looks technical. Many errors are common and easy to fix:

• PHP Warnings and Notices: Not usually urgent, but they signal messy code.
• Plugin Conflicts: Errors pointing to plugin files may mean two plugins aren’t playing nicely.
• Theme Errors: If the error comes from your theme folder, it could be outdated or incompatible.
• Database Connection Issues: Logs often reveal database misconfigurations.

Pro tip: If the same error repeats, that’s your main culprit.

Step-by-Step: Using Error Logs to Fix Issues

Here’s a simple workflow you can follow once you’ve found the logs:

1. Identify the error message – Look at the file path and line number.
2. Check the plugin or theme – Disable it temporarily to confirm.
3. Search the error message online – Chances are, others have had the same issue.
4. Update software – Outdated plugins, themes, or PHP versions often cause errors.
5. Contact support if needed – Provide them the exact log entry for faster help.

This process saves hours of frustration and speeds up recovery.

Extra Tips for Managing WordPress Error Logs

• Rotate logs regularly: Clear them out once in a while to avoid massive file sizes.
• Don’t leave debugging on forever: Once fixed, set WP_DEBUG back to false.
• Use a staging site: Test fixes in a safe environment before updating your live site.
• Consider plugins: Tools like “Error Log Monitor” can notify you inside the dashboard.

These small habits make managing logs stress-free.

Wrapping It Up

Learning how to find and access WordPress error logs is one of the best skills you can develop as a site owner. Instead of panicking when errors appear, you now know where to look, what to read, and how to act.

By enabling logs, checking them regularly, and using the error details wisely, you can keep your website healthy and your visitors happy. Remember: error logs aren’t just for developers—they’re a handy tool for anyone running a WordPress site.

Want to explore more WordPress troubleshooting tips? Check out related guides on debugging plugins, fixing database errors, and optimizing performance.