Fix 'Error establishing a database connection' in WordPress

The message Error establishing a database connection means that WordPress can't sign in to its database. Your posts and pages are still in the database – it's the connection that is failing. In the vast majority of cases it's caused by a wrong value in wp-config.php, and it takes a few minutes to fix.

Find and fix the error

1. 1

   Step 1: Check the database status

   Go to Web hosting → Databases. If the database has the status Active, it's ready. If it says Creating or Deleting, wait a little. If it says Error, the reason is shown in red under the name – contact support with that text.

2. 2

   Step 2: Open wp-config.php

   Open the website's wp-config.php with the File manager or an SFTP program. The file is in the same folder as wp-admin and wp-content.

3. 3

   Step 3: Check the host

   DB_HOST must be localhost. If you moved the site from another provider, it often still contains the old provider's server name. Change it to localhost.

4. 4

   Step 4: Check name and user

   DB_NAME and DB_USER must both be the full database name, e.g. u12345_wp. At Sitewig they are always identical. Compare with the name under Web hosting → Databases.

5. 5

   Step 5: Check the password

   If you don't know the right password, click New password next to the database, copy the new one and paste it into DB_PASSWORD. See Reset the password for your database.

6. 6

   Step 6: Test in Database tool

   Sign in to Database tool with exactly the same username and password as in wp-config.php. If it works there but not on the site, there is a typo in the file, e.g. a space or a missing quotation mark.

Other causes

• You've just created a new password. The old one stops working after a few seconds. Put the new one into wp-config.php.
• The database has been deleted. If it's no longer under Databases, it needs to be restored – see Restore a database from a backup.
• The web hosting is suspended. Websites and databases are then closed until the account is active again. There is a message at the top of the control panel.
• Too many connections. Each database user may have a limited number of simultaneous connections (e.g. 20, shown as max. 20 connections). A plugin that doesn't close its connections can use them all up. Deactivate recently installed plugins.

Frequently asked questions

Have I lost my data?

Almost never. The error only means that WordPress can't connect. Once the connection works again, all your content is back.

I installed WordPress with one click. Do I need to fix anything myself?

Normally not – the installation sets up the database and wp-config.php for you. If you have since clicked New password or moved files, go through the steps above.

Can I use my old provider's database server from Sitewig?

We advise against it, and it rarely works, because most providers block access from outside. Move the database to Sitewig instead – see Import a database.