# Troubleshoot a WordPress site

> Diagnose provisioning, DNS, critical errors, sign-in, database, redirect, update, and storage problems.

## Site is still provisioning

Wait for the active operation to finish. Do not submit another site creation request. If the service node is offline, node-dependent controls remain unavailable until it returns.

## Domain does not load

Confirm ownership under the service **Domains** tab, then confirm the exact A record shown by the WordPress site flow. Remove conflicting A or AAAA records and set Cloudflare to **DNS only** during verification. See [Troubleshoot domains and DNS](/domains/troubleshooting/).

## WordPress reports a critical error

1. Open **Logs** and find the first error at the failure time.
2. If it names a recently changed plugin, stop the site if needed and rename that plugin's folder under `wp-content/plugins` using **Files**.
3. If it names the active theme, recover using a known-good theme only after creating a backup.
4. Start or reload the site and test again.

Do not delete the entire `wp-content` directory or reinstall WordPress over the live site as a first response.

## Cannot sign in to WP Admin

Confirm you are using the WordPress administrator credential, not the AppLaunch or MySQL credential. Open the exact `/wp-admin` URL from **Database → WordPress Access**. Clear only the site's cookies or use a private window to rule out a stale session.

## Database connection error

Open **Database** and confirm the managed database and password operation completed. Avoid manually changing generated credentials in `wp-config.php`. If you deliberately rotated the built-in password, wait for completion and retest both the public site and WP Admin.

## Redirect loop or wrong hostname

Check that DNS points directly to AppLaunch and that WordPress `home` and `siteurl` match the intended HTTPS hostname. Disable conflicting redirects or upstream proxy rules. A domain change does not automatically rewrite every stored absolute URL.

## Updates or uploads fail

Check storage usage, file access, and **Logs**. Confirm external file tools did not change ownership or structure. Create a backup before manually replacing a plugin or theme.

## Get help

[Create a support ticket](https://applaunch.org/dashboard/support) with the service and site names, hostname, exact error, UTC time, recent change, and relevant log lines. Remove passwords, keys, cookies, and personal data.