How to fix WordPress "Lost connection to database" error

If you’re seeing the “Lost Connection to Database” error message on your WordPress website, don’t panic – there are several ways to fix this issue. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve the problem:

Contents show

Check your database credentials

Make sure that your database credentials (such as the database name, username, and password) are correct. You can find this information in your wp-config.php file.

Increase your PHP memory limit

Sometimes, the lost connection to a database error can be caused by insufficient PHP memory. Try increasing the memory limit by adding the following line to your wp-config.php file: define( 'WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M' ); – note that your server must be configured to give PHP a higher amount of memory. If it’s currently set below 265M, adding this will do nothing. In that case, reach out to your host.

Repair your database

You can try repairing your database using the built-in WordPress feature. To do this, add the following line to your wp-config.php file: define( 'WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true );Then, visit the following URL in your browser: http://yourwebsite.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php – Click on the “Repair Database” button to begin the process.

Disable plugins

Sometimes, a plugin conflict can cause a lost connection to a database error. Try disabling all plugins and then enabling them one by one to identify the culprit.

Switch to a default theme

Similar to plugins, a theme conflict can also cause the issue. Switch to a default WordPress theme, such as Twenty Twenty-Three, to see if the error goes away.

Check server logs

Certain issues can trigger an error which can be seen in the logs. This may pinpoint or give you a better idea of the issue.

Check for “database connection error” and “MySQL” errors.

Check your web host

The error could be caused by your web host. Check with your hosting provider to see if there are any server issues that could be causing the problem; if your host doesn’t have server issues or downtime published, try reaching out to their support.