5 Most Common WordPress Issues (And How I Fix Them for Clients)

WordPress powers over 40% of the internet and for good reason. It’s flexible, powerful, and user-friendly. But like any platform, it can break, especially when it’s not managed properly.

As a freelance WordPress developer, I help business owners fix broken sites, speed up performance, and prevent recurring issues. In this blog, I’ll walk you through the top 5 WordPress problems my clients face and how I solve them quickly and effectively.

1. 🐢 Slow Loading Website

This is the #1 complaint I hear. A slow site can hurt your SEO, user experience, and conversion rates.

Why it happens:

Unoptimized images

Too many plugins

Poor-quality hosting

Bloated themes or page builders

How I fix it:

Compress and convert images to WebP

Remove unused plugins and scripts

Use caching and performance plugins

Migrate to better hosting if needed

Minify CSS, JS, and enable GZIP compression

✅ Result: Your site loads in under 2 seconds and ranks better on Google.

2. 🔧 Plugin Conflicts or Site Breaking After Updates

It’s frustrating when your site suddenly breaks after a plugin or WordPress core update.

Why it happens:

Incompatible or outdated plugins

Theme not updated for latest WordPress version

Poorly coded third-party tools

How I fix it:

Identify the conflict via debug logs

Disable problematic plugins via FTP or database

Replace with cleaner, safer alternatives

Set up a staging site to test future updates safely

✅ Result: Your site works smoothly with no surprises after updates.

3. 🚫 Contact Form Not Sending Emails

You’re losing leads and don’t even know it. This is more common than you think.

Why it happens:

Misconfigured SMTP settings

PHP mail function blocked by hosting

No email verification or SPF records

How I fix it:

Set up secure SMTP using plugins like WP Mail SMTP

Test and confirm email deliverability

Configure SPF/DKIM for domain-based email

Send test submissions and monitor email logs

✅ Result: Every form submission reaches your inbox instantly.

4. 🛡️ Hacked or Compromised Website

Security is a big issue for WordPress sites using outdated plugins or free themes.

Why it happens:

Weak admin passwords

No firewall or protection in place

Outdated core/plugins/themes

Malware injection through file manager

How I fix it:

Clean up infected files and database

Install a firewall (Wordfence/Sucuri)

Strengthen login protection

Set up automated backups and security scans

Update everything and lock unused plugins

✅ Result: A clean, secured site that’s protected moving forward.

5. 🧱 Design/Layout Broken on Mobile Devices

Most traffic comes from mobile. A site that looks bad on phones loses trust instantly.

Why it happens:

Non-responsive themes

Page builder conflicts

Manual styling without mobile breakpoints

How I fix it:

Adjust responsive design using CSS media queries

Optimize layout with Elementor, WPBakery, or custom CSS

Test across multiple screen sizes

Improve font sizes, spacing, and button placement for mobile

✅ Result: Your site looks and works perfectly on any screen.

💬 I Solve These Problems So You Don’t Have To

I’ve helped dozens of clients recover from broken WordPress sites, slow loading, security issues, and more. Whether you have an existing business website, a landing page, or an eCommerce store, I can make it faster, safer, and easier to manage.