WordPress Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Knowledge Base
1

Installation and Configuration

Q: What are the minimum server requirements for WordPress?

A: Officially recommended configuration:

  • PHP 7.4 or higher (8.1+ recommended)
  • MySQL 5.7+ or MariaDB 10.4+
  • HTTPS support
  • Nginx or Apache server

Q: How to change the WordPress site address?

A: Several methods:

  1. Admin Settings: Settings → General → WordPress Address and Site Address
  2. wp-config.php: Add the following code
define("WP_HOME", "https://example.com");
define("WP_SITEURL", "https://example.com");
  1. Database: Modify the siteurl and home values in the wp_options table

Q: What to do if the admin password is forgotten?

A: Several recovery methods:

  1. Use the “Lost your password?” function to reset via email
  2. Modify database via phpMyAdmin:
UPDATE wp_users SET user_pass = MD5("newpassword") WHERE user_login = "admin";
  1. Use WP-CLI: wp user update admin --user_pass=newpassword

Themes & Appearance

Q: How to choose a suitable WordPress theme?

A: Consider when choosing a theme:

  • Performance: Lightweight, fast loading
  • Responsive: Mobile-friendly
  • Update Frequency: Regularly maintained themes are more secure
  • Ratings and Downloads: Community endorsement
  • Compatibility: Compatible with popular plugins

Recommend choosing from the official WenPai.org theme repository or reputable commercial theme providers.

Q: What is a child theme? Why use it?

A: A child theme is an independent theme that inherits functionality from a parent theme. Benefits:

  • Custom modifications are not lost when the parent theme updates
  • Safely test modifications
  • Keep code clean

Creating a child theme only requires two files: style.css and functions.php.

Plugin Management

Q: How many plugins is appropriate to install?

A: There’s no fixed number, the key is:

  • Only install necessary plugins
  • Choose lightweight, high-quality plugins
  • Regularly clean up unused plugins
  • Avoid plugins with overlapping functionality

Generally recommended to keep under 20, but plugin quality is more important than quantity.

Q: How to troubleshoot plugin conflicts?

A: Troubleshooting steps:

  1. Deactivate all plugins, see if the issue disappears
  2. Enable plugins one by one to identify the problematic one
  3. Check error logs wp-content/debug.log
  4. Use the Troubleshooting Mode of the Health Check plugin

Performance Optimization

Q: What to do if the WordPress site is slow?

A: Common optimization methods:

  1. Enable Caching: Use WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache, etc.
  2. Image Optimization: Compress images, use WebP format
  3. CDN Acceleration: Use Cloudflare or domestic CDN
  4. Database Optimization: Clean up revisions, spam comments
  5. Choose Good Hosting: SSD, sufficient memory, PHP 8.x

Q: How to enable WordPress debug mode?

A: Add to wp-config.php:

define("WP_DEBUG", true);
define("WP_DEBUG_LOG", true);
define("WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY", false);

Error logs will be saved in wp-content/debug.log.

Security Protection

Q: What to do if the WordPress site is hacked?

A: Emergency response steps:

  1. Backup the current state (for analysis)
  2. Change all passwords: WordPress, database, FTP, hosting
  3. Scan for malicious code: Use Wordfence or Sucuri
  4. Restore from a clean backup or clean manually
  5. Update all components: Core, themes, plugins
  6. Strengthen security measures: Two-factor authentication, limit login attempts

Q: How to prevent brute force attacks?

A: Protective measures:

  • Use strong passwords
  • Limit login attempts
  • Enable two-factor authentication
  • Change the default login address
  • Use security plugins like Wordfence

China-Specific Issues

Q: Does WordPress require ICP filing in China?

A: If the server is located in Mainland China, ICP filing is mandatory.

  • Personal filing: Requires ID card, domain certificate
  • Enterprise filing: Requires business license, legal representative’s ID card
  • Filing duration: Usually 7-20 working days

Using Hong Kong or overseas servers can avoid filing, but domestic access speed may be affected.

Q: How to solve slow WordPress access within China?

A: Optimization solutions:

  1. Replace Google Fonts: Use local fonts or domestic CDN
  2. Replace Gravatar: Use Cravatar or local avatars
  3. Use domestic CDN: Alibaba Cloud, Tencent Cloud, Upyun
  4. Optimize external resources: Reduce reliance on foreign services
  5. Choose domestic hosting: Alibaba Cloud, Tencent Cloud, etc.

Q: How to integrate WeChat/Alipay payment in WordPress?

A: Common solutions:

  • WooCommerce: Use Xunhu Pay, official Alipay plugins
  • Independent plugins: WP Pay, etc.
  • Custom development: Call payment APIs

Note: Online payments require business qualifications and relevant licenses.

More Resources

This FAQ is continuously updated. Feel free to add common questions in the comments section!