What are WordPress logs?
WordPress logs may be used to diagnose and resolve any issues that arise on your WordPress instance, or more accurately, to figure out why they’ve occurred. This tool keeps track of errors and records them in a single easy-to-find file, allowing you to get started on the troubleshooting process right away.
Option 1: Access WordPress Logs via FTP
To access WordPress error logs, follow these three simple steps:
- Access your website’s files using FTP
- Edit your wp-config.php file and add the following line:
define( ‘WP_DEBUG_LOG’, true );
- Locate your new WordPress logs. The default location is /wp-content/debug.log
- Download the log file
Option 2: Access WordPress Logs via SSH
To access WordPress error logs, follow these three simple steps:
- Access the server where your website is hosted using SSH.
- Change directories to your website’s directory
- Edit your wp-config.php file and add the following line:
define( ‘WP_DEBUG_LOG’, true );
- Locate your new WordPress logs. The default location is /wp-content/debug.log
- Use your favorite text editor to read the log or cat to screen. If you want more detail on how to read logs in Linux check our this article https://www.faqforge.com/linux/distributions/debian/linux-how-to-view-log-files-on-the-shell/
Although WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems on the web, it’s not flawless. As a result, there may come a time when you encounter bugs or issues with WordPress. The majority of users employ plugins and themes to extend the platform, which (while useful) can create compatibility difficulties and other unforeseen problems in some cases.
There are several places online to get assistance when you encounter WordPress issues or malfunctions, but in order to receive help, you must first identify the problem. As a result, it’s vital to understand how to do some basic troubleshooting.
To diagnose problems, you’ll frequently need to turn on WordPress logs. This will allow you to discover what errors are responsible for your issues and where they’re originating. Armed with that information, resolving the problem should be much easier.
(IN 3 STEPS) HOW TO ENABLE WORDPRESS LOGS TO TRACK WEBSITE ERRORS
By default, WordPress has an error log feature (also known as the “debugging mode”) that is disabled. Fortunately, this is simple to change. Let’s go through how to utilize your WordPress logs and turn them on.
Before proceeding to the first step, you should have a recent backup of your website in place. You’ll be editing a crucial WordPress file, so you need to be careful. There’s always the possibility that something will go wrong, however having a backup allows you to recover if necessary.
Finally, it’s also a good idea to troubleshoot on a staging environment. It’s easy to set up a staging site, and having one is really handy, so we suggest you do it first.
Step 1: Find your website’s files.
The WordPress logs can only be enabled if you have direct access to your site’s files. There are several methods for achieving this, but we recommend using File Transfer Protocol (FTP). You may login into your site using an FTP client.
If you don’t already have a favorite FTP software, WinSCP client is a good choice if you are on Windows or FileZilla for a cross platform solution. It’s free and simple to use, with no restrictions:
Simply input your FTP details to access your site after downloading and installing your FTP client. These are usually available in your control panel under Hosting/Web Hosting/FTP Accounts.
After you’ve obtained your credentials, use your FTP client to submit them. A Hostname, Username, and Password are required (leave the Port field blank).
Connect to your site.
Step 2: Edit Your wp-config.php File
The folder’s name might be root, www, or the same as your site’s domain. Open it up no matter what its name is..
Scroll down until you come across the file named wp-config.php, which is the most important one. It contains critical information about your site’s configuration and database structure.
When you right-click on it, select View/Edit from the drop-down menu. The file will be opened in your computer’s default text editor:
Look for a line in the file that says:
/* That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */.
You need to put the following line of code before this:
define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );
This snippet activates the debug mode in WordPress. It might already be present in your wp-config.php file, in which case you’d only need to change false to true.
Add one more snippet below the line:
define( 'WP_DEBUG_LOG', true );
This is what instructs WordPress to record any errors that may occur on your site. These two lines are what configure your WordPress logs. At this point, you may save the file and close it.
Step 3: Locate Your New WordPress Logs
Your WordPress logs are now ready to use. Before we conclude, let’s discuss how to utilize them.
The new error log will not record issues that have already occurred. As a result, if you’re trying to troubleshoot a certain problem, you’ll need to activate it by interacting with the component or performing the action that triggered it in the first place. This should lead WordPress to save the error.
You can find out about this error by logging into your site again using FTP. In your site’s root folder, go to the wp-content folder and look for a new file called debug.log and read it.
You’ll see a list of any errors, warnings, or other information that have been recorded on your site since you installed your WordPress logs.
At this point, you have a few choices. If you’re reasonably tech-savvy, you can attempt to figure out what the problem is on your own and fix it. In some cases, your WordPress logs might help you understand what’s causing the error, such as by naming the element at fault.
If you need help with your WordPress site, visit the WordPress forums and ask for help. Include the text from your WordPress logs in the post you make. You can also try to search Google for how to solve this problem.
Turn off the logs when you are done troubleshooting. If you are using a staging site, it won’t be important, but if you turn on the error logs on a live site, it will slow down your site and make it more easy for hackers to get in. To turn off the logs, go to wp-config.php and change these two lines from true to false
define( ‘WP_DEBUG’, false );
define( ‘WP_DEBUG_LOG’, true );
Save the file.
CONCLUSION
When things go wrong, you may find yourself in need of some assistance. This is when WordPress logs are useful since they allow you to identify the source of a problem so that you can look for a solution or seek aid.
When you’re ready to start collecting WordPress logs, make sure you have a recent backup and set up a staging site. Then, to generate and utilize an error log, follow these three steps:
- Use FTP to get access to your website’s files.
- Edit your wp-config.php file.
- Locate the new WordPress logs.
Do you have any questions regarding how to analyze WordPress logs in order to diagnose site problems? Leave a remark below if you do.
