---
title: How to Debug WordPress with WP Toolkit in cPanel
description: "**In short:** WordPress Toolkit in cPanel makes debugging easier: turn on Debugging and choose options such as WP_DEBUG_LOG to write errors to wp-content/debug.log, deactivate plugins one by one to find the one causing the problem, turn on maintenance mode while…"
url: "https://www.hyyat.com/en/knowledgebase/debug-wordpress-wp-toolkit/"
updated: "2026-09-29"
category: WordPress explanations
---

# How to Debug WordPress with WP Toolkit in cPanel

**In short:** WordPress Toolkit in cPanel makes debugging easier: turn on Debugging and choose options such as WP_DEBUG_LOG to write errors to wp-content/debug.log, deactivate plugins one by one to find the one causing the problem, turn on maintenance mode while you fix it, or restore an earlier backup in one click.

WordPress usually just works, but errors in a plugin, theme or custom code can cause unexpected behavior. WordPress has built-in debugging tools, but they are off by default and cannot be set from the dashboard. WordPress Toolkit in cPanel gives you a simple interface to:

- Turn on and configure WordPress debugging.
- Find faulty plugins.
- Turn on and customize maintenance mode.
- Restore a backup.

## Turn on and configure debugging

Debug mode makes WordPress log the errors and warnings produced by PHP code. It is usually off because it uses server resources and can reveal internal information, so keep the logs private. To turn it on, select your site in WordPress Toolkit and click the **Debugging** switch in the Tools section.

![Debugging switch in WordPress Toolkit](https://www.hyyat.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2020-12-04_22-17-44-1.jpg)

By default, errors are printed on the site's pages. Click the settings icon next to the switch to change this.

![Debugging options](https://www.hyyat.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2020-12-04_22-22-46.jpg)

- **WP_DEBUG** turns debug mode on or off. Keep it off during normal operation.
- **WP_DEBUG_LOG** writes errors to a file named debug.log in the site's wp-content folder.
- **WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY** controls whether errors are shown on the pages. Useful on a test site; on a live site, turn it off and use the log instead.
- **SCRIPT_DEBUG** makes WordPress use the non-minified CSS and JavaScript files, which helps find front-end errors.
- **SAVEQUERIES** saves database queries for inspection. It can slow the site down a lot, so turn it off when you finish.

Click **OK** to save. If you turned on WP_DEBUG_LOG, open **File Manager**, go to the site's wp-content folder and open debug.log to read the errors.

## Find a faulty plugin

Reading PHP logs can be hard for non-developers. A simpler way is to deactivate plugins one by one until the problem disappears; the last plugin you deactivated is the cause. Select your site in WordPress Toolkit and open the **Plugins** tab.

![Plugins tab in WordPress Toolkit](https://www.hyyat.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2020-12-04_22-28-10-1.jpg)

To deactivate or remove a plugin from all WordPress sites in your cPanel account, open the global **Plugins** tab, select the plugin and click the right button.

![Global plugins list](https://www.hyyat.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2020-12-04_22-36-44.jpg)

## Turn on maintenance mode

Debug mode is meant for test sites. If you find an error on a live site that affects visitors, combine it with maintenance mode, which shows a simple page telling visitors the site is being worked on. WordPress Toolkit includes an improved maintenance page with a customizable text and countdown. Select your site and click the maintenance mode switch.

![Maintenance mode switch](https://www.hyyat.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2020-12-04_22-45-59.jpg)

To customize the page, click the maintenance mode icon, make your changes and check them with the **Preview** button.

## Restore a backup

The fastest fix is often to restore a backup taken before the error appeared. Open **Backup / Restore** for your site in WordPress Toolkit.

![Backup / Restore](https://www.hyyat.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2020-12-04_22-54-34.jpg)

Choose a recent backup from the list and click **Restore**.

![Restore a backup](https://www.hyyat.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2020-12-04_22-56-47.jpg)

**Note:** restoring removes all changes made after the backup was taken, so create a new backup first.

**Related service:** [Hyyat Host WordPress hosting](https://www.hyyat.com/en/wordpress-hosting/) includes WordPress Toolkit, automatic backups and 24/7 support.

 **Need this service from Hyyat Host?**Our team handles it for you, with support replying to tickets within 24 hours at most.[WordPress Hosting](https://www.hyyat.com/en/wordpress-hosting/)[WordPress design](https://www.hyyat.com/en/wordpress/)