Fixing the Blank Page Issue in WordPress When Clicking on Post Links

Discover how to resolve the `blank page issue` you encounter in WordPress when clicking post links. Learn the proper use of PHP functions and permalink settings.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/72725677/ asked by the user 'user17257777' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/17257777/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/72725954/ provided by the user 'Titus' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/18353089/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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Solving the Blank Page Issue in WordPress Post Links

Are you encountering a frustrating issue where clicking on a post link in your WordPress site results in a blank page? This can be a common problem, especially for those new to PHP and WordPress development. Let's delve into this issue and explore how to effectively resolve it.

Understanding the Problem

When you set up links for your posts, you might expect them to lead directly to the corresponding content. However, instead of seeing your post, you face a blank screen. The cause could be a configuration error or incorrect code implementation.

The Code Behind Your Posts

Your current implementation involves two crucial files in WordPress: index.php and single.php. Here’s a look at how they are structured in your case:

index.php

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

single.php

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

In this code, you’ve made a common mistake regarding how the permalink is set in the href attribute.

The Solution

To fix this issue, it’s important to use PHP functions correctly and ensure that they are properly placed within PHP tags.

Step-by-Step Guide

Use The Correct PHP Syntax:
Make sure to have PHP functions like get_the_permalink() wrapped in PHP tags. Here’s the corrected version of the index.php file:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Notice the change: I replaced the string get_the_permalink() in the href with <?php echo get_the_permalink(); ?>. This allows the link to properly reference the permalink of each post.

Confirm Permalink Settings:

Navigate to your WordPress dashboard.

Go to Settings - Permalinks.

Ensure intelligent permalink settings are selected, such as “Post name,” which is common and SEO-friendly.

Save the settings even if you don’t change them — sometimes this can refresh your permalink structure.

Check for Plugin Conflicts:
Sometimes plugins can interfere with how permalinks function. Temporarily deactivate any plugins that may affect post views and see if the problem persists.

Conclusion

By ensuring that PHP functions are utilized correctly and confirming your permalink settings, you can fix the annoying blank page issue when clicking post links in WordPress.

It’s important to keep the syntax in mind as you continue learning PHP, as small errors can lead to larger problems.

If you’re still encountering issues after trying these solutions, consider seeking further help from WordPress forums or communities. Happy coding!