Is WordPress Down? How to Check Your Site (And WordPress.org)

"Is WordPress down?" is one of the most searched questions when a WordPress site stops working.

But here's what most people don't realize: WordPress.org being down and your WordPress site being down are completely different things.

Let's clear this up — and get you to the right solution.

WordPress.org vs. Your WordPress Site

WordPress.org is the official website where you download the WordPress software. It also hosts the plugin and theme directories.

Your WordPress site is your website — yoursite.com — running on YOUR hosting server, using the WordPress software.

They're completely separate:

The key point: If your site is down, WordPress.org is almost certainly NOT the problem. Your issue is with your hosting, domain, or WordPress installation.

How to Check if WordPress.org is Down

If you're wondering about WordPress.org specifically (maybe plugin updates are failing):

1. Visit wordpress.org directly — does it load?
2. Check status.wordpress.org — official status page
3. Check DownDetector — search "WordPress" for user-reported issues

WordPress.org has excellent uptime. If the status page shows problems, wait it out. It's usually resolved quickly.

How to Check if YOUR Site is Down

Your site being down is a different diagnosis:

1. Rule Out Your Connection

• Clear browser cache (Ctrl+Shift+R or Cmd+Shift+R)
• Try a different browser
• Try your phone's mobile data (not WiFi)

2. Use a Down Checker

Search "is my site down" on Google and enter your URL. Free tools like Down.com or IsItDownRightNow will tell you if your site is reachable from the outside world.

If the checker says "up" but you can't reach it: The problem is your internet, DNS cache, or VPN. Try restarting your router.

If the checker confirms "down": The problem is real. Keep reading.

3. Check Your Hosting Status

Most hosts have a status page:

If your host shows an outage, that's your answer. Wait for them to fix it.

Common Causes When WordPress.org is Fine

If WordPress.org is working but your site isn't, the problem is one of these:

Hosting Server Issues

Your hosting account specifically has a problem — even if other customers on the same host are fine. Contact your host's support.

Domain Expired

Check your domain registrar. Credit card expired? Auto-renewal failed? This is more common than you'd think.

Plugin or Theme Conflict

A recent update broke something. Check your email for a WordPress recovery mode message — it lets you disable plugins even when your site is down.

Database Connection Error

Your site can't talk to its database. Often a server-side issue that requires support (or a professional) to resolve.

Hacked or Compromised

Malware can take down a site. If you see strange content or redirects before it went fully down, this might be the cause.

What to Do Next

If it's a hosting outage: Wait. Check status page every 30 minutes.

If your domain expired: Renew immediately. Site usually comes back within an hour.

If you got a WordPress recovery email: Use the link to disable the problem plugin.

If you see a white screen, 500 error, or database error: This needs server-level diagnosis. Either contact your hosting support or get professional help.

Need It Fixed Fast?

If your site is down and you don't know why — or you tried basic steps and they didn't work — professional help is faster and safer than guessing.

fix-wp.com resolves WordPress emergencies in under 1 hour. $100 flat fee. No fix, no charge.

Get Help Now →

Want to diagnose it yourself? Read our complete troubleshooting guide.