6 Simple Ways to Fix the Error Establishing a Database Connection in WordPress

Ever opened your WordPress site only to be met with a plain white screen and the dreaded message: “Error establishing a database connection”? If you’re nodding your head, you’re not alone. This is one of the most frustrating problems WordPress users face—and it shows up without much warning.

This guide will walk you through exactly how to fix the error establishing a database connection in WordPress, even if you’re not tech-savvy. Whether it’s a database misconfiguration, corrupted files, or web hosting issues, I’ll help you pinpoint the cause and apply a quick fix.

By the end of this article, you’ll not only know how to fix the error—but how to prevent it from happening again. Let’s get your site back online.

What Causes the “Error Establishing a Database Connection” in WordPress?

Before jumping into the fixes, let’s understand what triggers this error:

Incorrect database login credentials (username, password, hostname)
Corrupted WordPress files or database
Unresponsive MySQL server
Exceeded hosting resources
Faulty plugin or theme
Problems with wp-config.php file

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This error usually appears when WordPress can’t communicate with your MySQL database, which powers all your posts, pages, and user data.

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1. Check Your Database Login Credentials

The most common reason behind this issue is incorrect database credentials in your wp-config.php file.

Steps:

Access your site via FTP or cPanel File Manager.
Open the wp-config.php file.
Look for these lines:

php
define( ‘DB_NAME’, ‘your_db_name’ );
define( ‘DB_USER’, ‘your_db_user’ );
define( ‘DB_PASSWORD’, ‘your_db_password’ );
define( ‘DB_HOST’, ‘localhost’ );

What to Do:

Cross-check these values with your hosting account’s MySQL database settings.
If anything looks off, update the file and save.

Tip: If you’re unsure of your database name, you can find it in phpMyAdmin under your hosting control panel.

2. Repair Your WordPress Database

Sometimes the database itself becomes corrupted due to plugins or server crashes.

Here’s how to fix it:

Open your wp-config.php file.
Add this line right before /* That's all, stop editing! */
php
define(‘WP_ALLOW_REPAIR’, true);
Visit this URL:
arduinohttp://yourdomain.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php
1. Click on Repair Database.
Important: Remove the line from wp-config.php after repairing to prevent abuse.

3. Test the MySQL Server on Your Host

Your site may not be at fault—your web host’s MySQL server might be down.

Here’s how to test:

Create a simple PHP file (call it testdb.php) and add:

php
<?php
$link = mysqli_connect(‘localhost’, ‘db_user’, ‘db_password’);
if (!$link) {
die(‘Could not connect: ‘ . mysqli_error());
}
echo ‘Connected successfully’;
?>

Upload it to your WordPress root directory.
Visit http://yourdomain.com/testdb.php.

If it fails to connect, the issue is likely with your host. Contact them with the error message.

4. Restore a Recent Backup

If your database or core files were corrupted during a plugin update or malware attack, restoring a working backup may be your best bet.

Steps:

Use your hosting panel or a wordpress backup plugin like UpdraftPlus to restore from your latest backup.
Always keep automated backups enabled for future safety.

5. Disable All Plugins and Themes

A rogue plugin or theme could be messing with your database connection.

How to troubleshoot:

Rename your plugins folder (via FTP) to plugins_old.
Visit your site—if it loads, one of the plugins was the culprit.
Rename the folder back and reactivate plugins one by one to find the bad apple.

Do the same with your active theme by switching to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-One.

6. Check Your Hosting or Upgrade Your Plan

Shared hosting plans often hit their resource limits, especially if your site sees traffic spikes.

Signs it’s your host:

Other sites on the same server are also down
You’ve exceeded CPU or memory limits
Slow database response times

What you can do:

Contact your hosting support.
Consider upgrading to a Managed WordPress Hosting plan.
Or migrate to performance-friendly hosts like SiteGround or Cloudways.

Other Useful Fixes and Tips

How do I connect my database to WordPress?

Use phpMyAdmin to create a new database and user, then update your wp-config.php file with the new details.

What is “debug” in WordPress database errors?

Enable debug mode by adding:

copy
define(‘WP_DEBUG’, true);

This helps reveal the exact issue causing the connection problem.

Where is the database connection file in WordPress?

It’s the wp-config.php file located in your root WordPress directory.

Conclusion

The “Error Establishing a Database Connection in WordPress” is scary, but it’s usually fixable within minutes once you know where to look. Whether it’s a typo in your credentials, a corrupted database, or a hosting issue, one of the six methods above will likely get your site back online.

Here’s a quick recap: