Error establishing a database connection

Is this your problem?

• Every page shows "Error establishing a database connection"
• wp-admin says "One or more database tables are unavailable"
• It started after moving the site, or changing a hosting password
• The site comes and goes during busy times

What usually causes it

How to fix it, step by step

1. 1

   Check whether it is the host

   Look at your host status page and try another site on the same account. If the host is having an outage, there is nothing to fix on your side. Wait, and ask them for a time.

2. 2

   Compare wp-config.php with the host panel

   Open wp-config.php and find these four lines. Check each value against the database and user listed in your host panel, usually under MySQL Databases. DB_HOST is often localhost, but some hosts use their own address.

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   define( "DB_NAME", "database_name" );
   define( "DB_USER", "database_user" );
   define( "DB_PASSWORD", "password" );
   define( "DB_HOST", "localhost" );

3. 3

   Reset the database password if unsure

   In the host panel, set a new password for the database user, make sure that user is attached to the database with all privileges, and put the new password in wp-config.php.

4. 4

   Repair damaged tables

   Add this line to wp-config.php, then visit yoursite.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php and choose Repair Database. Remove the line straight after: while it is there, anyone can open that page.

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   define( "WP_ALLOW_REPAIR", true );

5. 5

   Check the disk and limits

   In the host panel, check disk usage and resource limits. A full disk stops the database writing. Clear old backups or logs, or ask the host to raise the limit.

Stop it happening again

• Keep a record of database details somewhere safe when you move a site.
• Watch uptime so you hear about outages before customers do.
• Choose hosting sized for your traffic, not the cheapest plan.