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Fixing WordPress Theme Issues on Apache with PHP: A Guide for Web Admins

Nida Sahar

Illustration of a person using a laptop with a large screen displaying a web address, symbolizing website development or WordPress

You're not alone if you're in charge of a WordPress website and suddenly discover that your themes aren't loading or that you're receiving error messages. These issues are often caused by misconfigurations, outdated themes, or server-related problems. Fortunately, most of these problems can be fixed with some technical knowledge.

1. Server and File Permissions: A Common Culprit#

Verifying the ownership and permissions of your theme files is crucial when themes aren't loading. WordPress needs the correct permissions to read theme files and display them properly.

Check Ownership:

sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/html/wordpress/wp-content/themes

Set Correct Permissions:

sudo find /var/www/html/wordpress/wp-content/themes -type d -exec chmod 755 {} \;
sudo find /var/www/html/wordpress/wp-content/themes -type f -exec chmod 644 {} \;

2. Reinstalling Themes: When in Doubt, Reinstall#

Woman customizing a website interface, symbolizing WordPress development.

If the issue lies with the theme itself—possibly due to missing files or corruption—reinstalling it is often the fastest solution.

Delete Existing Themes:

rm -rf /var/www/html/wordpress/wp-content/themes/*

Reinstall Default Themes:

wp theme install twentytwentyone --activate --path=/var/www/html/wordpress

After reinstalling, clear your browser's cache to ensure updates are reflected.

3. Database Conflicts: Are You Using the Correct Theme?#

WordPress stores theme settings in the database. If you've switched servers or updated themes, your active theme setting may be outdated.

Check Active Theme:

wp option get template --path=/var/www/html/wordpress
wp option get stylesheet --path=/var/www/html/wordpress

Update Active Theme:

wp option update template twentytwentyone --path=/var/www/html/wordpress
wp option update stylesheet twentytwentyone --path=/var/www/html/wordpress

4. Apache Configuration and PHP Settings#

Developers working on website coding and security.

Ensure that your PHP version is compatible with WordPress:

php -v

Also, check Apache error logs for issues:

tail -f /var/log/apache2/error.log

For additional troubleshooting tips, visit WordPress.org.

5. Clearing Cache and Browser Issues#

Try visiting your site in an incognito window or clearing your browser's cache. Also, disable any cache plugins temporarily to see if they are causing issues.

6. Conclusion: A Clean WordPress Setup for Smooth Sailing#

By setting correct file permissions, reinstalling themes, and keeping your server updated, you can prevent most theme-related issues. Always back up your WordPress installation before making major changes.

For a more scalable and efficient approach, consider modern deployment solutions like Nife.io. If you're looking for a seamless way to deploy frontend applications, check out our Frontend Application Deployment Guide.