WordPress Daily Routine

WordPress can’t connect to the database.

Error Establishing a Database Connection

Key Points: WordPress can’t reach your MySQL database — either credentials are wrong, the server is down, or your DB is in trouble.

So you’ve just installed WordPress (or maybe changed hosts), and instead of a shiny new dashboard, you’re greeted by a sad little message: “Error establishing a database connection.” No drama. Just cold rejection.

👁️‍🗨️ Behind the Curtain

WordPress needs four pieces of info to talk to your database: name, username, password, and host. If even one of those is wrong — or if the server’s offline — it throws in the towel immediately.

🛠️ Mission: Reconnect

1. Inspect the Connection Details: Open your wp-config.php file and confirm these values:

   define('DB_NAME', 'your_db_name');
    define('DB_USER', 'your_username');
    define('DB_PASSWORD', 'your_password');
    define('DB_HOST', 'localhost');

   Tip: Some hosts use an external DB host (like mysql.yourhost.com), not just localhost.

2. Ping the Database: Create a file called dbtest.php with this code:

   
    connect_error) {
     die('Connection failed: ' . $mysqli->connect_error);
    }
    echo 'Connected!';
    ?>
    

   Visit that file in your browser to see if the connection works without WordPress.

3. Is the Server Even Awake? Ask your hosting support if the MySQL service is running. On shared hosting, DB servers sometimes get overwhelmed or crash silently.
4. Repair the Database: Add this to wp-config.php:

   define('WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true);

   Then go to: yoursite.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php and run a repair. (Remove the line afterward!)

🔒 Pro Tips from the Database Whisperer

• Keep a text file with your DB credentials stored securely offline — it’ll save you tons of time.
• Use cPanel > MySQL > Users to reset passwords if you’re unsure.
• Set up uptime monitoring to alert you if your DB or hosting is flaky.

🎯 Final Thoughts

This error isn’t a bug — it’s WordPress refusing to pretend everything’s okay when your site’s brain (the database) is missing. Once you get the credentials right, you’re back in business.