Fix “Allowed memory size exhausted” and the white screen

Seeing “Allowed memory size of … bytes exhausted”, or just a blank white page? Both usually come from PHP running out of room, or a plugin that’s gone wrong. Here’s how to fix it.

“Allowed memory size exhausted”: give PHP more memory

1. Open Select PHP Version

   In cPanel, go to Software › Select PHP Version.

   

2. Choose a numbered version if it says “native”

   Settings can’t be changed on the native version. Pick a numbered version from the PHP version list, ideally the newest your site supports. See Change your PHP version.

3. Raise memory_limit

   Open the Options tab, find memory_limit and choose a higher value, such as 256M.

Reload your site. If the error comes back with a higher number, a plugin is using too much memory: see below.

A blank white page: find the plugin causing it

1. Turn on Debug Mode

   In cPanel’s WordPress Manager, open your site’s settings and set Debug Mode to Enabled. Reload your site to see the real error, which usually names the plugin.

   

2. Switch the plugin off

   If you can reach WordPress, deactivate that plugin. If you can’t, open cPanel’s File Manager, go to public_html/wp-content/plugins and rename the plugin’s folder (for example add -off to the end).

3. Turn Debug Mode off again

   Once your site works, set Debug Mode back to Disabled.