Common Hostinger Errors and How to Fix Them

Common Hostinger Errors and How to Fix Them


Hostinger stands as a popular choice for web hosting, known for its affordable plans, user-friendly hPanel, and robust performance. However, like any complex system, encountering occasional errors is an inevitable part of managing a website. These issues, ranging from minor glitches to more critical outages, can be frustrating, especially for those new to web development or server management. The good news is that most common Hostinger errors have straightforward solutions.

This in-depth guide is designed to empower you, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, to diagnose and resolve the most frequent issues you might face with your Hostinger hosting. We’ll break down common problems, explain their potential causes, and provide clear, actionable steps to get your website back on track.

Table of Contents

  1. Website Not Loading or Showing Errors

    • Understanding DNS Propagation

    • Incorrect Nameservers

    • Server Issues or Downtime

    • File Permissions and .htaccess Issues

  2. Database Connection Errors

    • Incorrect Database Credentials

    • Corrupt Database

    • Exceeded Database Limits

  3. WordPress-Specific Errors

    • White Screen of Death (WSOD)

    • “Error Establishing a Database Connection”

    • Plugin/Theme Conflicts

    • Memory Exhausted Error

  4. Email Sending and Receiving Issues

    • Incorrect Email Client Settings

    • Missing or Incorrect DNS Records (MX, SPF, DKIM)

    • Spam Filters and Blacklisting

  5. FTP Connection Problems

    • Incorrect FTP Credentials

    • Firewall Interference

    • Passive Mode Issues

  6. SSL Certificate Errors

    • SSL Not Installed or Configured Correctly

    • Mixed Content Warnings

    • SSL Propagation Delays

  7. 500 Internal Server Error

    • Corrupt .htaccess File

    • Incorrect File Permissions

    • PHP Version or Syntax Errors

  8. Hostinger Login Issues

    • Incorrect Password

    • Browser Cache and Cookies

    • Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Problems

  9. Slow Website Performance

    • Unoptimized Images and Code

    • Lack of Caching

    • Resource-Intensive Plugins

  10. Contacting Hostinger Support

1. Website Not Loading or Showing Errors

One of the most alarming issues is when your website fails to load or displays generic error messages. This can stem from various sources, making systematic troubleshooting essential.

Understanding DNS Propagation

Causes: When you change your domain’s nameservers, update DNS records, or move your site to a new host, it takes time for these changes to update across the internet. This process is called DNS propagation and can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours.

How to Fix It:

  1. Be Patient: The most common “fix” is simply to wait.

  2. Clear DNS Cache: Clear your local DNS cache on your computer (ipconfig /flushdns on Windows, sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder on macOS).

  3. Use a Proxy/VPN: To check if the site is loading for others, try accessing it via a web-based proxy or VPN, or ask a friend in a different location to check.

  4. Check DNS Propagation Tools: Use online tools like whatsmydns.net to monitor the propagation status of your domain.

Incorrect Nameservers

Causes: Your domain’s nameservers might not be correctly pointed to Hostinger, preventing your domain from resolving to your Hostinger server.

How to Fix It:

  1. Find Hostinger Nameservers: Log in to your Hostinger hPanel, go to “Domains” -> “DNS/Nameservers.” You’ll find the correct nameserver addresses (e.g., ns1.dns-parking.com, ns2.dns-parking.com or ns1.hostinger.com, ns2.hostinger.com).

  2. Update at Domain Registrar: Log in to your domain registrar (where you purchased your domain, which might be Hostinger itself or another provider like GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.) and update the nameservers to Hostinger’s.

  3. Wait for Propagation: Allow up to 24-48 hours for the changes to propagate globally.

Server Issues or Downtime

Causes: While rare, Hostinger servers can experience temporary outages or maintenance.

How to Fix It:

  1. Check Hostinger’s Status Page: Visit Hostinger’s official system status page to see if there are any reported outages or ongoing maintenance.

  2. Contact Support: If no outage is reported and your site is still down, contact Hostinger support.

File Permissions and .htaccess Issues

Causes: Incorrect file permissions can prevent the server from reading your website files. A misconfigured or corrupted .htaccess file can also lead to server errors.

How to Fix It:

  1. Check File Permissions:

    • Log in to your hPanel, go to “File Manager.”

    • Navigate to your website’s root directory (usually public_html).

    • Ensure folders are set to 755 and files to 644. You can often right-click and set permissions.

  2. Review .htaccess:

    • Access your “File Manager” and locate the .htaccess file in your public_html directory.

    • Backup First: Download a copy of your current .htaccess file.

    • Rename or Delete: Temporarily rename it to something like .htaccess_old or delete it to see if the site loads. If it does, the .htaccess file was the problem.

    • Generate New .htaccess: For WordPress, go to “Settings” -> “Permalinks” in your WordPress admin dashboard and simply click “Save Changes” (without making any changes) to regenerate a new default .htaccess file. For other sites, you might need to manually reconstruct it or revert to a backup.

2. Database Connection Errors

A critical issue, especially for dynamic websites like those built with WordPress, is a “database connection error.” This means your website cannot communicate with its database to retrieve content.

Incorrect Database Credentials

Causes: Your website’s configuration file (e.g., wp-config.php for WordPress) contains incorrect database name, username, password, or host.

How to Fix It:

  1. Verify Credentials in hPanel:

    • Log in to hPanel, navigate to “Databases” -> “MySQL Databases.”

    • Note down the correct database name, username, and host.

    • If you’ve forgotten the password, you can reset it here.

  2. Update Website Configuration File:

    • Go to “File Manager” and open your website’s root directory (e.g., public_html).

    • Locate your configuration file (e.g., wp-config.php for WordPress, configuration.php for Joomla).

    • Edit the file to ensure the DB_NAME, DB_USER, DB_PASSWORD, and DB_HOST values match exactly what you found in hPanel. The DB_HOST is usually localhost.

Corrupt Database

Causes: A database can become corrupted due to various reasons, including server crashes, incomplete updates, or malicious activity.

How to Fix It:

  1. Restore from Backup: The most reliable solution is to restore your database from a recent backup. Hostinger offers automatic backups, which you can access via “Files” -> “Backups” in hPanel.

  2. Repair Database (WordPress):

    • Add the following line to your wp-config.php file: define('WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true);

    • Visit yourdomain.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php in your browser.

    • Choose “Repair Database” or “Repair and Optimize Database.”

    • Important: Remove the line define('WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true); from wp-config.php after the repair for security reasons.

  3. Check via phpMyAdmin: In hPanel, go to “Databases” -> “phpMyAdmin” and select your database. Run “Check Table” and “Repair Table” operations on potentially corrupted tables.

Exceeded Database Limits

Causes: Your hosting plan might have limits on database size or the number of connections. A very busy site or inefficient database queries can hit these limits.

How to Fix It:

  1. Optimize Database: Regularly optimize your database using plugins (e.g., WP-Optimize for WordPress) or directly via phpMyAdmin. Remove old revisions, spam comments, and transient data.

  2. Upgrade Hosting Plan: If your site’s traffic or data needs have genuinely outgrown your current plan, consider upgrading to a more robust Hostinger plan.

  3. Review Website Traffic: Analyze your website’s traffic patterns to identify peak times and consider implementing caching solutions.

3. WordPress-Specific Errors

WordPress, while powerful, has its own set of common errors. Many of these relate to themes, plugins, or core file integrity.

White Screen of Death (WSOD)

Causes: Often caused by exhausted memory limits, problematic plugins, or theme functions. Your browser displays a blank white screen, with no error message.

How to Fix It:

  1. Increase Memory Limit:

    • Edit your wp-config.php file and add define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M'); above the /* That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */ line.

    • Alternatively, edit your php.ini file via hPanel’s “PHP Configuration” and increase memory_limit.

  2. Deactivate Plugins:

    • If you can access your WordPress dashboard, deactivate all plugins. If the site comes back, reactivate them one by one to find the culprit.

    • If you can’t access the dashboard, use “File Manager” in hPanel to rename the wp-content/plugins folder to plugins_old. This will deactivate all plugins. If the site loads, rename it back, then delete/re-upload plugins one by one.

  3. Switch Theme:

    • Similarly, if a theme is causing issues, switch to a default WordPress theme (e.g., Twenty Twenty-Four) via the dashboard.

    • If you can’t access the dashboard, rename your current theme’s folder in wp-content/themes to force WordPress to fall back to a default theme.

  4. Enable Debugging: Add define('WP_DEBUG', true); and define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true); to wp-config.php. This will log errors to a debug.log file in wp-content, giving you clues. Remember to disable it after troubleshooting.

“Error Establishing a Database Connection”

Causes: This WordPress-specific error points directly to an issue with your website’s ability to connect to its MySQL database. Refer to the Database Connection Errors section above for detailed solutions.

Plugin/Theme Conflicts

Causes: Newly installed or updated plugins/themes can conflict with each other or with the WordPress core, leading to various errors.

How to Fix It:

  1. Deactivate All Plugins: Access your WordPress admin dashboard (if possible) and go to “Plugins” -> “Installed Plugins.” Select all and choose “Deactivate.” If the error resolves, reactivate them one by one to identify the problematic plugin.

  2. Manually Deactivate Plugins: If you can’t access your admin dashboard, use Hostinger’s “File Manager” to navigate to public_html/wp-content/plugins. Rename the entire plugins folder to plugins_old. This will deactivate all plugins. If the site comes back, rename it back to plugins, then proceed to rename individual plugin folders one by one to find the culprit.

  3. Switch to Default Theme: Similar to plugins, a problematic theme can cause issues. Switch to a default WordPress theme (e.g., Twenty Twenty-Four) via your dashboard or by renaming your current theme’s folder in public_html/wp-content/themes.

Memory Exhausted Error

Causes: Your website’s PHP scripts require more memory than allocated by your Hostinger plan. This is common with resource-heavy themes, plugins, or large image uploads.

How to Fix It:

  1. Increase PHP Memory Limit:

    • hPanel: Go to “Hosting” -> “PHP Configuration.” Select your PHP version and then the “PHP Options” tab. Increase the memory_limit to 256M or 512M.

    • wp-config.php (WordPress): Add define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M'); to your wp-config.php file before the /* That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */ line.

  2. Optimize Website: Reduce the need for high memory by optimizing images, using efficient plugins, and ensuring your theme is well-coded.

4. Email Sending and Receiving Issues

Email is crucial for communication, and problems with sending or receiving can halt your operations.

Incorrect Email Client Settings

Causes: Your email client (Outlook, Gmail, Thunderbird, etc.) might have incorrect settings for incoming (IMAP/POP3) or outgoing (SMTP) mail servers, ports, or encryption.

How to Fix It:

  1. Verify Hostinger Email Settings:

    • Log in to hPanel, go to “Emails” -> “Email Accounts.”

    • Click on the email account in question, then “Configure Devices.” You’ll find all the correct IMAP, POP3, and SMTP settings, including server names, ports, and encryption types.

  2. Update Email Client: Cross-reference these settings with your email client’s configuration and correct any discrepancies. Ensure you’re using the full email address as the username.

Missing or Incorrect DNS Records (MX, SPF, DKIM)

Causes: Incorrect Mail Exchanger (MX) records prevent incoming mail. Missing or misconfigured Sender Policy Framework (SPF) and DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) records can cause outgoing emails to be marked as spam.

How to Fix It:

  1. Check Hostinger’s DNS Zone Editor:

    • In hPanel, go to “Domains” -> “DNS/Nameservers” -> “DNS Zone Editor.”

    • Verify that your MX, SPF (TXT record), and DKIM (TXT record) records are correctly set up. Hostinger usually configures these automatically if your domain is managed by them.

    • If you’re using an external email service (e.g., Google Workspace), ensure its specific MX, SPF, and DKIM records are entered here.

  2. Use Online DNS Checkers: Tools like mxtoolbox.com can help diagnose issues with your email-related DNS records.

  3. Allow Propagation Time: After any changes, wait for DNS propagation.

Spam Filters and Blacklisting

Causes: Your email might be going to recipients’ spam folders, or your domain/IP could be blacklisted, preventing emails from being delivered at all.

How to Fix It:

  1. Review Email Content: Avoid spam trigger words, excessive capitalization, and suspicious links in your emails.

  2. Check Blacklists: Use online tools (e.g., mxtoolbox.com/blacklists.aspx) to check if your domain or IP is on any blacklists. If it is, follow the delisting procedures for each blacklist.

  3. Ask Recipients to Whitelist: Ask your regular recipients to add your email address to their safe sender list.

  4. Implement SPF, DKIM, DMARC: Ensure all these authentication methods are correctly set up in your DNS Zone Editor to improve email deliverability.

5. FTP Connection Problems

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is essential for managing your website files directly. Connection issues can hinder development and maintenance.

Incorrect FTP Credentials

Causes: You are using the wrong username, password, host, or port for your FTP client (FileZilla, Cyberduck, etc.).

How to Fix It:

  1. Verify FTP Details in hPanel:

    • Log in to hPanel, go to “Files” -> “FTP Accounts.”

    • Here you’ll find your FTP host, username, and port (usually 21). You can also reset the FTP password here if needed.

  2. Update FTP Client: Ensure your FTP client settings match these details exactly. Use the full FTP username (e.g., u123456789_ftpuser).

Firewall Interference

Causes: Your local computer’s firewall, network firewall, or even the Hostinger server’s firewall might be blocking the FTP connection.

How to Fix It:

  1. Disable Local Firewall Temporarily: Try disabling your computer’s firewall briefly to see if it resolves the issue. If it does, create an exception for your FTP client.

  2. Check Router/Network Firewall: If you’re on a corporate network, contact your IT administrator.

  3. Hostinger Firewall: Hostinger’s firewall is usually configured to allow standard FTP traffic. If you suspect an issue, contact Hostinger support.

Passive Mode Issues

Causes: Some network configurations or firewalls have issues with active FTP mode. Passive mode is generally more compatible.

How to Fix It:

  1. Enable Passive Mode in FTP Client: In your FTP client’s settings, ensure “Passive Mode” is enabled. This is usually the default, but it’s worth checking.

6. SSL Certificate Errors

An SSL certificate is crucial for website security and SEO. Errors can lead to “Not Secure” warnings in browsers and deter visitors.

SSL Not Installed or Configured Correctly

Causes: The SSL certificate wasn’t properly installed, didn’t propagate, or your website isn’t configured to use HTTPS.

How to Fix It:

  1. Install SSL via hPanel:

    • In hPanel, go to “Security” -> “SSL.”

    • Check the status of your SSL certificate. If it’s not installed, use the “Install” or “Activate” button. Hostinger offers free Let’s Encrypt SSL.

    • Ensure the status shows “Active.”

  2. Force HTTPS:

    • hPanel: Hostinger often provides a one-click “Force HTTPS” option in the “SSL” section.

    • WordPress: Go to “Settings” -> “General” and ensure both “WordPress Address (URL)” and “Site Address (URL)” start with https://.

    • .htaccess (Manual): Add the following code to your .htaccess file (after backing it up) in the public_html directory:

      apache
      RewriteEngine On
      RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
      RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

Mixed Content Warnings

Causes: Your website is loading over HTTPS, but some resources (images, scripts, stylesheets) are still being loaded insecurely over HTTP.

How to Fix It:

  1. Use a Plugin (WordPress): Install and activate a plugin like “Really Simple SSL” (if using WordPress). It automatically detects and fixes mixed content issues.

  2. Manually Update URLs:

    • Check your website’s source code (using browser developer tools) for URLs starting with http:// instead of https://.

    • Update these links in your database (e.g., via phpMyAdmin using a search-and-replace query after backing up) or directly in your theme/plugin files.

  3. CDN Configuration: If you’re using a CDN, ensure it’s also configured to use HTTPS.

SSL Propagation Delays

Causes: After installing or updating an SSL, it can take some time for browsers and systems to recognize the change.

How to Fix It:

  1. Clear Browser Cache: Clear your browser’s cache and cookies.

  2. Use SSL Checker Tools: Tools like ssllabs.com/ssltest/ can verify your SSL installation and propagation status.

  3. Wait: Sometimes, simply waiting a few hours is enough.

7. 500 Internal Server Error

The “500 Internal Server Error” is a generic message indicating a server-side problem, making it tricky to diagnose without further information.

Corrupt .htaccess File

Causes: Syntax errors or incorrect directives in your .htaccess file can cause the server to throw a 500 error.

How to Fix It:

  1. Rename/Remove .htaccess: Access your “File Manager,” navigate to public_html, and rename your .htaccess file to something like .htaccess_old. If the site loads, the issue was with this file.

  2. Generate New .htaccess: For WordPress, go to “Settings” -> “Permalinks” and click “Save Changes” to create a new default file. For other platforms, you might need to recreate it from scratch or a backup.

Incorrect File Permissions

Causes: Similar to “Website Not Loading” issues, incorrect file permissions can prevent the server from executing scripts or accessing files, leading to a 500 error.

How to Fix It:

  1. Set Correct Permissions: Use “File Manager” to ensure all folders are 755 and files are 644. For specific script files (like CGI scripts), they might require 755 permissions.

PHP Version or Syntax Errors

Causes: Your website’s code might contain syntax errors, or it might be incompatible with the PHP version currently running on your Hostinger server.

How to Fix It:

  1. Check PHP Error Logs: In hPanel, go to “PHP Configuration” and then “PHP Options” or “PHP Information” to find paths to error logs. These logs often provide specific details about the 500 error.

  2. Change PHP Version:

    • In hPanel, go to “Hosting” -> “PHP Configuration.”

    • Try switching to a slightly older or newer stable PHP version (e.g., from 8.2 to 8.1 or 7.4) to see if it resolves the incompatibility.

    • Always test thoroughly after changing PHP versions, especially on live sites.

  3. Review Recent Code Changes: If you’ve recently modified any PHP files, check for syntax errors.

8. Hostinger Login Issues

Unable to log in to your hPanel or WordPress dashboard? This can halt all management tasks.

Incorrect Password

Causes: The most common reason – you’re entering the wrong password.

How to Fix It:

  1. Use “Forgot Password” Option:

    • For hPanel: On the Hostinger login page, click “Forgot password.”

    • For WordPress: On your yourdomain.com/wp-admin login page, click “Lost your password?”.

  2. Check for Caps Lock: Ensure Caps Lock is not enabled.

Browser Cache and Cookies

Causes: Corrupted browser cache or cookies can sometimes interfere with login sessions.

How to Fix It:

  1. Clear Browser Cache/Cookies: Clear your browser’s cache and cookies, or try logging in from an incognito/private window or a different browser.

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Problems

Causes: If you have 2FA enabled and lose access to your authenticator app or phone, you might be locked out.

How to Fix It:

  1. Use Backup Codes: If you saved backup codes when setting up 2FA, use one of them.

  2. Contact Hostinger Support: If you’ve lost access to both your 2FA device and backup codes, you’ll need to contact Hostinger support for identity verification and account recovery.

9. Slow Website Performance

A slow website can lead to poor user experience, lower search engine rankings, and reduced conversions.

Unoptimized Images and Code

Causes: Large, uncompressed images, bulky CSS, and JavaScript files can significantly slow down page load times.

How to Fix It:

  1. Image Optimization:

    • Compress images before uploading them (e.g., using TinyPNG or image editing software).

    • Use image optimization plugins for WordPress (e.g., Smush, Imagify).

    • Consider using next-gen formats like WebP.

  2. Minify CSS/JS: Use plugins (e.g., LiteSpeed Cache for WordPress) or Hostinger’s optimization tools to minify CSS, JavaScript, and HTML files, removing unnecessary characters.

Lack of Caching

Causes: Without caching, your server has to process every request from scratch, which is inefficient.

How to Fix It:

  1. Enable Server-Side Caching: Hostinger offers LiteSpeed Cache, which is excellent. Ensure it’s enabled in your hPanel (“LiteSpeed Cache” section).

  2. Install Caching Plugin (WordPress): If using WordPress, install and configure a caching plugin like LiteSpeed Cache (recommended for Hostinger users), WP Super Cache, or W3 Total Cache.

  3. Browser Caching: Configure browser caching via your .htaccess file to tell browsers to store static assets locally.

Resource-Intensive Plugins

Causes: Too many plugins, or poorly coded plugins, can consume excessive server resources, leading to slowdowns.

How to Fix It:

  1. Audit Plugins: Regularly review your installed plugins. Deactivate and uninstall any that are not essential or are known to be resource-heavy.

  2. Monitor Resource Usage: In hPanel, check your “Resource Usage” to identify any spikes that might correlate with certain plugin activations.

Contacting Hostinger Support

While this guide covers many common issues, there will be times when you need professional help. Hostinger’s customer support is available 24/7.

How to Contact Support:

  1. Live Chat: The fastest way to get help is usually through the live chat feature available within your hPanel. Look for a chat icon, often in the bottom right corner.

  2. Support Tickets: For more complex issues that require detailed explanations or attachments, you can submit a support ticket through your hPanel.

When contacting support, be prepared to provide as much detail as possible:

  • The exact error message you’re seeing.

  • When the error started occurring.

  • Any recent changes you made (e.g., new plugin, theme update, code modification).

  • Troubleshooting steps you’ve already tried.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about Hostinger errors and troubleshooting:

Q1: How do I know if my website is down or if it’s just me?

A1: First, try accessing your website from a different device, browser, or internet connection (e.g., mobile data). You can also use online website status checkers like isitdownrightnow.com. Finally, check Hostinger’s official system status page.

Q2: What’s the best way to back up my Hostinger website?

A2: Hostinger provides automatic daily/weekly backups depending on your plan. You can access and restore these via “Files” -> “Backups” in hPanel. For WordPress, you can also use a plugin like UpdraftPlus for manual or scheduled backups to cloud storage.

Q3: How often should I update my WordPress plugins and themes on Hostinger?

A3: It’s crucial to keep your WordPress core, themes, and plugins updated regularly. Updates often include security patches and performance improvements. However, always back up your site before updating, especially for major releases, to prevent conflicts.

Q4: My Hostinger site is slow. Should I upgrade my hosting plan immediately?

A4: Not necessarily. First, try optimization steps like image compression, caching, and reviewing your plugins/theme. If after these optimizations your site is still slow, and your resource usage graphs in hPanel show consistent maxing out, then an upgrade is likely warranted.

Q5: How do I enable debugging in WordPress to see errors?

A5: To enable debugging, edit your wp-config.php file (located in public_html) and add the following lines just before /* That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */:
define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
This will log errors to a debug.log file in wp-content. Remember to remove or set WP_DEBUG to false when done troubleshooting for security reasons.

Q6: Can I use a custom domain with my Hostinger hosting?

A6: Yes, you can connect a custom domain. If your domain is registered elsewhere, you’ll need to update its nameservers to Hostinger’s (e.g., ns1.dns-parking.com, ns2.dns-parking.com) at your domain registrar. If your domain is registered with Hostinger, it’s usually set up automatically.

Q7: What does “DNS propagation” mean and how long does it take?

A7: DNS propagation is the process by which changes to your domain’s DNS records (like nameservers) are updated across the internet’s global network of DNS servers. It can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours for changes to fully propagate, though often it’s much quicker.

Q8: What are the common reasons for Hostinger downtime?

A8: While Hostinger boasts high uptime, occasional downtime can occur due to server maintenance, hardware failures, network issues, or sometimes even DDoS attacks. Checking their official status page is the best way to stay informed during such events.

Conclusion

Encountering errors with your Hostinger website is a common experience for any website owner. The key is not to panic, but to approach troubleshooting systematically. By understanding the common causes behind issues like website loading failures, database connection problems, or email delivery glitches, and by applying the solutions outlined in this guide, you can often resolve these issues quickly and efficiently.

Remember, a well-maintained website is a performing website. Regularly back up your data, keep your software updated, and monitor your site’s health. And when in doubt, Hostinger’s 24/7 support team is always there to lend a hand. With these tips and tricks, you’re well-equipped to keep your Hostinger-hosted site running smoothly.

Did this guide help you fix a stubborn Hostinger error? Share your experience in the comments below or let us know what other troubleshooting guides you’d like to see!