Troubleshooting White/Blank Screens in the Editor or Customizer

If you’re working on your WordPress site and suddenly see a blank white screen where the editor or customizer should be, this can happen for a few different reasons, especially after making updates or installing something new. The good news is that most of the time, it’s easy to fix.

This guide outlines the most common causes and solutions, along with best practices to help prevent the issue from happening again.

Common Causes and Fixes

Below are some common causes of a white/blank/empty screen in WordPress, along with common fixes.

Updates (Theme, Plugin, WordPress, or PHP):
Sometimes, an update can result in a blank screen, especially if outdated files are still cached. In these cases, be sure to fully clear all forms of caching, including your browser cache and any website/server-side cache you may be using. To learn more about clearing your cache, click here.

Likewise, needing an update can also lead to issues. If you are using out-of-date plugins, themes, or PHP/WP versions, you can also run into blank screen-related issues. In these cases, you should update your website in a staging environment to see if the issue persists.

Plugin or Theme Conflicts:
Conflicts between plugins or themes can sometimes cause the editor or customizer to fail to load. For example, a third-party plugin that interacts with the editor may conflict with Kadence Blocks. While this is rare, it can happen, especially if the plugin doesn’t fully follow WordPress best practices.

To check for a plugin or theme conflict, you can do the following:

  • Deactivate all other plugins except Kadence plugins and test again.
  • Switch to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Four to rule out theme conflicts.

(You can learn how to temporarily deactivate your theme and plugins here.)

Best Practices for Preventing Issues

To avoid white screen issues in the future and ensure your updates are successful, consider the following:

  • Use a Staging Site for Testing – Before applying updates to your live site, test them in a staging environment. This allows you to catch any issues before they affect your visitors. (Learn more here.)
  • Create a Backup Before Major Changes – You should always back up your website before making any major changes/updates to it. (Learn more here.)
    • Always back up your site before:
      • Updating WordPress, your theme, or plugins.
      • Changing your PHP version.
      • Making any large design or feature changes.

Additional Troubleshooting Steps:

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