Why is My WordPress Site Not Loading? (Common Causes & Fixes)

If your WordPress site on ZipWP Cloud isn’t loading, don’t panic. This usually comes down to a few common issues. Most can be fixed quickly with the right checks.

Quick Fix Checklist

Start here before diving into details:

• Check if DNS changes have finished propagating (use WhatsMyDNS).
• Verify your Nameserver or CNAME records match the exact values in your ZipWP dashboard.
• Wait a few minutes for SSL to activate after verification.
• Clear your browser cache or test in incognito/private mode.
• Make sure your domain and ZipWP Cloud plan are active.
• If it’s WordPress-related, try disabling recent plugins or themes from the WordPress admin area.

If your site still isn’t live after 48 hours, contact ZipWP Support with your domain details.

Common Problems Causes & Fixes

These are some common problems that people face while 

Check if DNS changes have finished propagating

After switching Nameservers or adding a CNAME record, DNS takes time to update worldwide, usually 1–4 hours, sometimes up to 48.

What you might see:

• “Site not found”
• DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN

Fix:

• Use WhatsMyDNS to check propagation.
• If not fully propagated, wait a little longer.

Verify your Nameserver or CNAME records

Wrong or conflicting DNS records can stop your domain from pointing to ZipWP.

What you might see:

• Your site loads from an old host
• “Server IP address could not be found”

Fix:

• Log in to your domain registrar and check DNS settings.
• Ensure Nameservers or CNAME values exactly match what’s shown in your ZipWP dashboard.
• Remove any old or conflicting A/CNAME records.

Wait for SSL to activate

SSL certificates are issued automatically once your domain is verified, but activation may take a few minutes.

What you might see:

• “Your connection is not private”
• Security warning page

Fix:

• Wait a few minutes and refresh.
• Clear your browser cache.
• Confirm SSL status inside ZipWP.

Clear your browser cache or try incognito mode

Sometimes the issue is local. Your browser or ISP may be holding onto an old version of your site.

Fix:

• Open your site in an incognito/private window.
• Clear cache and cookies.
• Try another browser, device, or network.

Make sure your domain and hosting plan are active

An expired domain or inactive ZipWP Cloud subscription will stop your site from loading.

Fix:

• Check your domain renewal status with your registrar.
• Confirm your ZipWP Cloud plan is active.

Check for WordPress plugin or theme conflicts

A misconfigured plugin, broken theme, or recent change in WordPress can cause errors.

What you might see:

• “There has been a critical error on this website”
• Blank white screen (also called the “White Screen of Death”)

Fix:

• Log in to your WordPress Admin via ZipWP.
• Deactivate recently added plugins or themes.
• Switch temporarily to a default theme (e.g., Twenty Twenty-Four).
• Restore a backup from ZipWP if necessary.

Summary

Site not loading issues are usually caused by DNS propagation delays, SSL activation, or WordPress-level conflicts like plugins and themes. 

Most problems resolve on their own within a few hours, but the quick checklist above can help you confirm the basics right away.

If you’ve tried all the steps and your site still isn’t live after 48 hours, reach out to ZipWP Support with your domain details, and we’ll help you get things back on track.