How to Enable Debug Mode In WordPress to Solve Site Errors

February 25, 2026

WordPress powers millions of websites worldwide, but even the most well-built sites can run into errors. From the dreaded white screen of death to plugin conflicts and broken layouts, website problems can appear without warning. When this happens, finding the root cause quickly is essential.

This is where debug mode in WordPress becomes a lifesaver. Debug mode is a built-in troubleshooting feature that reveals hidden errors, warnings, and notices so you can identify what’s breaking your site. By default, WordPress hides technical error messages to protect visitors, but enabling debug mode exposes the underlying issues and helps you fix them faster.

In this complete guide, you’ll learn what debug mode is, why it matters, and step-by-step methods to enable it safely. Whether you’re a beginner or a developer, this tutorial will help you diagnose and resolve WordPress memory limit error fix with confidence.

What Is Debug Mode in WordPress?

Debug mode in WordPress is a built-in troubleshooting feature that helps identify and fix website errors. Normally, WordPress hides technical problems from visitors to keep the site secure and professional. When debug mode is enabled, it reveals hidden PHP errors, warnings, and notices that show what is going wrong behind the scenes

This makes it easier to detect issues caused by plugins, themes, coding mistakes, or server problems. Developers and site owners use debug mode to quickly find the root cause of errors and improve site performance. It is best used temporarily while fixing issues and should be turned off once the problem is resolved.

Why Enable Debug Mode?

Enabling debug mode in a WordPress helps you identify and fix problems that may be breaking or slowing down your website. Many WordPress errors are hidden by default, so when something goes wrong, you might only see a blank page, a critical error message, or features that stop working. Debug mode reveals the actual error messages, warnings, and notices so you can understand what is causing the issue.

This feature is especially useful for detecting plugin conflicts, theme coding errors, outdated functions, and server-related problems. It also logs errors into a file, making it easier to review and troubleshoot issues later. Developers use debug mode to test new features and ensure code works correctly.
However, debug mode should only be enabled while troubleshooting. Leaving it active on a live site may expose technical details. Once the issue is resolved, it is important to disable it to maintain security and performance.

Method 1: Enable Debug Mode Using a Plugin

Enabling debugging with a plugin is the easiest approach for beginners because it eliminates the need to edit core files. This method allows you to activate troubleshooting tools directly from the WordPress dashboard while ensuring your site remains safe and functional.

First, log in to your WordPress dashboard by visiting yoursite.com/wp-admin and entering your login credentials. Once inside the admin panel, navigate to Plugins → Add New , where you can search for the plugin named WP Debugging. After locating the plugin, click Install Now, then Activate. Activation prepares your website for debugging by enabling the required WordPress debug constants automatically.

Install and Activate WP Debugging Plugin

Next, go to Tools → WP Debugging to configure the settings. Here, make sure debugging is turned on, and error logging is enabled. It is strongly recommended to disable error display on the front end so visitors cannot see technical warnings.

After enabling the settings, you should trigger the issue you are trying to diagnose. Visit the page where the error occurs, perform the action that causes the problem, and refresh the page. The plugin will record the error details for review.

To review the errors:

Check the debug notice in the admin toolbar (if available)
Or open your website files and navigate to:

/wp-content/debug.log

Download and open the file to view error details

This method is ideal because it requires no coding knowledge and provides quick access to error logs.

Method 2: Enable Debug Mode Manually

Manually enabling debugging gives you full control and is the preferred method among developers and advanced users. Although it requires editing a configuration file, the process is safe if done carefully.

Begin by accessing your website files. You can do this through your hosting provider’s File Manager (such as cPanel) or by using an FTP client like FileZilla. After logging into your hosting panel, open the File Manager and navigate to your website’s root directory, usually called public_html or the domain folder.

Inside this directory, locate the file named wp-config.php. This is one of the most important files in WordPress, as it controls core configuration settings.

Before editing, create a backup copy:

Right-click the file
Download it to your computer
Keep it safe in case you need to restore it

Open the wp-config.php file using the editor and scroll down until you see the line:

/* That's all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */

Debug Code:

define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);
@ini_set('display_errors', 0);

Just above this line, add the debugging code that enables error logging while hiding errors from public view. After inserting the code, save the file and close the editor.
Once saved, return to your website and refresh it. Debugging is now active. Most Importantly remember always disable debug mode after troubleshooting by changing:

define('WP_DEBUG', false);

To capture errors:

Visit the page causing the issue
Perform the action that triggers the error
Refresh the page to log the issue

WordPress will store error details in the debug log file.

To access the log:

Navigate to /wp-content/
Open debug.log
Download and review the file

The log will show the error type, file path, and line number causing the issue, helping you identify whether a plugin, theme, or custom code is responsible.

Understanding What Happens After Enabling Debug Mode

Once debugging is enabled and an error is triggered, WordPress records technical details about the problem. These details may include PHP errors, deprecated functions, database issues, or WordPress plugin conflict error .

When reading the debug log, focus on:

The error type (warning, notice, fatal error)
The file path showing where the problem exists
The plugin or theme involved
The exact line number causing the error

This information helps you pinpoint the source of the problem quickly instead of guessing.

Conclusion

Errors are inevitable when running a WordPress website, especially when installing new plugins, updating themes, or adding custom code. Instead of guessing what went wrong, enabling debug mode provides clear insight into the root cause of problems.

By using debug mode in WordPress, you can uncover hidden errors, diagnose plugin conflicts, detect outdated functions, and troubleshoot performance issues with precision. Whether you enable it using a plugin or manually through the wp-config.php file, this powerful feature helps you resolve site errors quickly and efficiently.

Remember to use debugging responsibly: log errors instead of displaying them publicly, disable debug mode after fixing issues, and always maintain backups before making changes. When used correctly, debug mode transforms troubleshooting from a frustrating guessing game into a clear and manageable process. Mastering WordPress debugging not only saves time but also ensures your website stays secure, stable, and fully functional for visitors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is debug mode in WordPress?

Debug mode in WordPress is a built-in feature that helps identify errors, warnings, and notices in your website’s code by displaying or logging them for troubleshooting.