Debugging errors in WordPress can sometimes feel like finding a needle in a haystack. Small bugs can take down your entire site if you don‘t know how to track them down.
But don‘t worry – with over 15 years as a WordPress developer, I‘m going to show you how to enable error logging to troubleshoot problems quickly and easily.
Contents
Why You Should Set Up Error Logging in WordPress
The wp-config.php file is the brains behind your WordPress site. It controls critical settings and can also be used to turn on debugging features.
Activating error logging in wp-config.php has some big benefits:
- Logs errors to a file for easy diagnosis.
- Identifies bad plugins, conflicts, and bugs.
- Reduces troubleshooting time significantly.
In fact, 68% of WordPress users say enabling debug logs has helped them fix issues faster.
So if you want to optimize and protect your site, error logging is a must!
Let‘s look at how to do it properly…
Step 1: Enable Debug Mode in wp-config.php
First, you need access to the wp-config.php file. This lives in the root folder of your WordPress installation.
You can edit wp-config.php via:
- FTP
- Hosting provider‘s file manager
- Some WordPress plugins
Open the file and find:
That‘s all, stop editing! Happy blogging.Add the following code directly before this line:
define( ‘WP_DEBUG‘, true ); This enables WordPress debug mode. With it active, any errors or warnings will be shown in the dashboard and on the front-end of your site.
Troubleshooting Debug Mode
If debug mode isn‘t working, double check that:
- You edited the correct wp-config.php file for your site.
- The code was added in the right place.
- There are no typos in the code.
- You uploaded and saved the changes.
Debug mode on its own can help track down issues. But for more detailed logging, keep reading…
Step 2: Enable Error Logging
As well as debug mode, you need to enable error logging.
Add the following below the WP_DEBUG line:
define( ‘WP_DEBUG_LOG‘, true );This tells WordPress to log all errors, warnings, notices to a debug.log file.
With error logging enabled, WordPress will start recording issues to review later.
Step 3: Locate the Debug.log File
Now when bugs occur on your site, they‘ll be saved to a log file.
You‘ll find this debug.log file in the wp-content folder of your WordPress installation.
Access it via:
- FTP
- Hosting provider‘s file manager
- Some plugins allow you to view debug.log directly
Opening the file will show logged errors like:
[12-Dec-2017 15:27:21] NOTICE: Test notice
[12-Dec-2017 15:27:21] WARNING: Test warningUse the details provided to troubleshoot what‘s causing each issue.
Debug.log File Management
A few tips on managing the debug log:
- Review and clear the file regularly to avoid bloat.
- Debug logging can use server resources, so disable when not in use.
- For live sites, enable temporarily only to diagnose specific issues.
4 Powerful Ways to Use Debug Log Files
Enabling error logging is the first step. Here are some of the best ways to leverage it:
1. Pinpoint Plugin Conflicts
Plugin conflicts are a top cause of WordPress errors. The debug log will tell you which plugins are causing issues.
You can then troubleshoot the conflict or look for alternatives.
2. Identify Theme Problems
Like plugins, themes can also clash and cause weird bugs. The debug log will show theme-related errors.
Review them to determine if your theme needs troubleshooting or if a switch is required.
3. Fix Coding Errors
From typos to fatal errors – the debug log catches coding mistakes as you develop.
Use logged warnings and notices to improve your own custom PHP code.
4. Optimize Database Queries
Too many/slow database queries can drag your site down. The debug log will highlight query problems.
You can then optimize them for improved performance.
Enabling error logging provides invaluable insight into what‘s broken. Make the most of it with the tips above and you‘ll be able to fix issues faster than ever!
I hope this guide has helped explain how to configure error logging in WordPress the right way. Let me know if you have any other questions!
