WordPress Error Establishing Database Connection​

The “WordPress Error establishing database connection” is a critical issue that prevents users from accessing your website. This error occurs when WordPress fails to connect to the database, making your site unavailable.

Troubleshooting this error can be challenging, especially for beginners, because multiple factors can trigger it. This guide at Software System, a technology services company, will walk you through the causes and solutions to fix this issue effectively.

What causes the WordPress error establishing database connection​?

WordPress relies on a MySQL database to store and retrieve website data. When this connection is disrupted, the site cannot load properly.

Common Causes:

• Incorrect database credentials (DB name, username, password, host)
• Corrupt database files
• Database server downtime
• Heavy traffic causing server overload

Understanding what error establishing a database connection means helps in diagnosing the problem efficiently.

Steps to Fix WordPress Error Establishing a Database Connection

1. Verify Database Credentials in wp-config.php

Incorrect database credentials are the most frequent cause of this error, especially after migrating to a new host.

Steps to Check Credentials:

1. Access your website files via FTP or cPanel File Manager.
2. Locate and open the wp-config.php file.

Find the following code lines:
define( ‘DB_NAME’, ‘database_name_here’ );
define( ‘DB_USER’, ‘username_here’ );
define( ‘DB_PASSWORD’, ‘password_here’ );
define( ‘DB_HOST’, ‘localhost’ );

3. Verify these details in your hosting control panel under MySQL Databases.
4. If needed, reset the database password and update it in wp-config.php.

After saving changes, reload your site to check if the issue is resolved.

2. Confirm Database Host Information

Most WordPress hosting providers use localhost for the database host. However, some managed hosting services use external database servers.

Solution:

• Check your hosting provider’s documentation or contact support to confirm the correct DB_HOST value.
• If your hosting uses an external server, update the DB_HOST line in wp-config.php accordingly.

3. Repair Corrupt WordPress Database

If you see “One or more database tables are unavailable”, your database may be corrupted.

Method 1: Using wp-config.php

Open wp-config.php and add this line before “That’s all, stop editing!”:

define(‘WP_ALLOW_REPAIR’, true);

1. Visit yourwebsite.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php.
2. Click “Repair Database”.
3. Remove the added line from wp-config.php after repair.

Method 2: Using cPanel

1. Go to your hosting cPanel > MySQL Databases.
2. Under Modify Databases, select your database from the Repair Database dropdown.
3. Click “Repair Database” and wait for confirmation.

Once repaired, reload your site to check if the WordPress error establishing a database connection is fixed.

4. Check If the Database Server is Down

If credentials and repairs do not fix the error, the MySQL server may be down due to:

• Hosting issues
• High server traffic

Solutions:

• Contact your hosting provider to check if the MySQL database is running.
• If you have multiple sites on the same server, check if they are also experiencing database issues.
• Access phpMyAdmin from your hosting panel to confirm if the database loads properly.

5. Test Database Connection with a PHP Script

To verify if WordPress can connect to the database, create a test script:

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

2. Save the file as testconnection.php and upload it to your website root folder.
3. Visit your website.com/testconnection.php in a browser.
   • If “Connected successfully” appears, WordPress has the correct database credentials.
   • If not, review DB credentials and hosting settings.

See WordPress development Services at Software System.

Preventing Future Database Connection Errors

To minimize the chance of error establishing a database connection WordPress suddenly, follow these best practices:

Final Thoughts

The WordPress error establishing database connection is a serious issue that makes your site inaccessible. By following this guide, you can diagnose and fix the problem efficiently.

If the error persists, consider contacting your hosting provider for further assistance.