How to fix the “WordPress failed to open stream error”

The “failed to open stream” error in WordPress typically occurs when WordPress is unable to load a file because of incorrect file paths, improper permissions, or memory limitations. While the error message can appear alarming, the issue is usually straightforward to resolve.

This guide will walk you through proven solutions to fix this error, whether it’s caused by missing files, misconfigured permissions, or plugin conflicts.

📚 Table of Contents

🔎 What Causes the “Failed to Open Stream” Error

This error usually appears when WordPress tries to load a file it can’t find or can’t access. Common causes include:

  • A missing file or incorrect file path
  • Insufficient file or directory permissions
  • Plugin or theme conflicts
  • PHP memory exhaustion
  • Server-level restrictions from your hosting environment

🛠 Method 1: Check the File Path

A mistyped or outdated file path is a common cause of this error.

  1. Use an FTP client or your host’s File Manager.
  2. Navigate to the path listed in the error message.
  3. Confirm the file actually exists in the directory.

If it doesn’t exist, you may need to re-upload the missing file or update the file reference in your theme or plugin.

🔐 Method 2: Check File Permissions

Make sure the file WordPress is trying to load has the right permissions.

  • Recommended setting for files: 644

To update file permissions:

  1. Connect to your site via FTP.
  2. Right-click the file in question and choose File Permissions.
  3. Set the permission to 644 and click OK.

📁 Method 3: Check Folder Permissions

WordPress must also have permission to access the folders containing the file.

  • Recommended setting for directories: 755

To update folder permissions:

  1. Locate the folder using FTP or File Manager.
  2. Right-click it and choose File Permissions.
  3. Set it to 755 and apply recursively to subdirectories.

🧩 Method 4: Disable Plugins or Themes

A poorly coded plugin or theme might reference missing files or paths.

  1. Temporarily switch to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Four.
  2. Deactivate all plugins.
  3. Reactivate them one by one to identify the source of the error.

💾 Method 5: Increase PHP Memory Limit

If your site is low on memory, this error might occur while loading large files.

To increase the memory limit, add this to your wp-config.php file:

Place it just before the line that says /* That's all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */

📞 Method 6: Contact Your Hosting Provider

If none of the above methods solve the issue, contact your host. They can:

  • Check server logs
  • Fix permission issues
  • Restore missing files from backups

Pressillion customers can reach out to our support team anytime for help with errors like this.

❓ FAQ

Can I ignore this error if my site still loads?
No. Even if the site works, some functionality is likely broken or degraded.

Will increasing the memory limit always fix it?
Only if the issue is memory-related. Otherwise, incorrect paths or permissions are more likely.

What if the error message mentions a theme or plugin?
Try reinstalling that theme or plugin to restore the missing files.

🔗 Sources

 

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