Common problems
Plain-language guides to the problems I see most. Each one explains what is going on, what usually causes it, and what you can safely check yourself.
- "Your connection is not private" on your own websiteVisitors see "Your connection is not private" or "NET::ERR_CERT_DATE_INVALID" on your site. Why the security certificate failed and how it is usually fixed.
- Not receiving emails on your own domainEmails to you@yourdomain stopped arriving, or senders get bounce messages. How domain email routing works, what breaks it, and what you can check.
- Shopify custom domain not connecting or showing an errorYour Shopify store works on myshopify.com but your own domain does not connect, shows an SSL error, or points elsewhere. The usual reasons and first checks.
- Website not found: "DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN"Your site shows "This site can’t be reached" or "DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN". What it means, why domains stop pointing to websites, and what to check first.
- Website shows "500 Internal Server Error"Your site shows "500 Internal Server Error" or "HTTP ERROR 500". What the error means, the usual causes on shared hosting, and the safe first checks.
- WordPress "Error establishing a database connection"WordPress says "Error establishing a database connection". Why your site cannot reach its database, the common causes, and what to check before panicking.
- WordPress "There has been a critical error on this website"Your WordPress site shows "There has been a critical error on this website". What it means, the usual causes, and what you can safely check yourself.
- WordPress contact form not sending emailsVisitors fill in your WordPress contact form but you never get the message. Why WordPress mail goes missing and the reliable way to fix it for good.
- Your emails land in customers’ spam foldersEmails you send from your domain end up in spam or get rejected by Gmail and Outlook. What SPF, DKIM and DMARC are, and how to check them in plain words.
- Your website redirects visitors to spam or scam sitesVisitors, or Google results, send people from your site to spam, fake prizes or adult pages. Signs your site was hacked and the safe first steps to take.