The Best Plugins for Debugging WordPress

These are some invaluable plugins for debugging, developing, and monitoring WordPress sites.

Debugging Database Queries

Debug This

See exactly what query WordPress is running. Great for debugging WordPress query problems in your code.

Query Monitor

Similar to Debug This, but this has more emphasis on the WP queries on your site. Very useful.

WP phpMyAdmin

A lifesaver if you don’t have database access for some reason. I don’t know how it works, but it brings up a real phpMyAdmin instance in a separate browser window. I used the first method, “Enter local phpMyAdmin” and that worked great!

Finding Fatal Errors

Fatal Error Notify

Most web monitoring services won’t inform you if your server is still working but your WordPress site has errors. This is a great plugin that sends you an email if it detects different types of WP errors and warnings that you can set. Note, however, that if you use an SMTP email plugin, and WordPress encounters a fatal error before that has time to load, you may not get informed if your server doesn’t send email. Shared hosting providers like Siteground usually have servers that send email. Other VPSs allow SMTP email setup at the server level which would also solve that problem.

Server IP & Memory Usage Display

Fatal errors are often caused by lack of RAM. This plugin displays how much RAM  your site is using, along with PHP and WP limits. Very useful!

Debugging Your Theme

Theme Check

Checks your theme for anomalies.

What the File ★

Besides having the best name for a plugin ever, it’s a great development or diagnostic tool.  Tells you which theme files are being used by any WordPress page so you can figure out which might be causing problems. Invaluable if you are doing template development or debugging! I install this on almost every site where I’m working on a custom theme or child theme.

Debugging Plugins

Sadly, GoDaddy pulled the plug on the useful P3 Plugin Profiler plugin.

WP Rollback

Switch any plugin or theme (from WordPress.org) to any other version with a few clicks!

Debugging User Account-Related Problems

User Switching

This plugin lets you switch between users with a few clicks instead of having to log out, and log back in using a password. Super handy for debugging membership type of plugins where you need to jump around to users with different Roles.

Conclusion

Please leave your questions or comments below! – Brian

Brian Shim

I am a freelance web developer and consultant based in Santa Monica, CA. I’ve been designing websites using WordPress and from scratch using HTML, CSS, PHP, and JavaScript since 2010. I create websites and web applications for businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations. I have a degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from California Institute of Technology and a degree in Engineering Management (MSEM) from Stanford University.

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