Rewrite rules conflict or block key WordPress functions.
Misconfigured .htaccess
Key Points: A broken or overwritten .htaccess file can destroy permalinks, disable access to the admin panel, or cause redirect loops.
The .htaccess file controls a huge part of WordPress functionality when using Apache — permalinks, redirects, even security rules. But it’s also fragile. One wrong line and your site turns into a 500-error machine.
🚫 Common Pitfalls
- Multiple plugins injecting overlapping rules
- Improper custom redirect or rewrite rules
- Security plugins blocking access to critical paths
🛠️ Recovery Plan
- Temporarily rename
.htaccessto disable it - Log in and go to Settings → Permalinks → click “Save Changes” to regenerate default rules
- If using custom rules, add them back one at a time
📁 Pro Tip
Always back up your working .htaccess before making changes. And know that NGINX users don’t use this file at all — server config is handled differently.