Update WordPress database connection string

If your WordPress site is out of sync with your database and displays the following error: "Error Connecting to the Database", you'll need to update the connection strings on your WordPress site.

1. You should always backup your site before performing any troubleshooting.
2. Locate your database details. (cPanel / Plesk / Web Hosting / Managed WordPress).
3. Edit the wp-config.php for your website. (cPanel / Plesk / Web Hosting / Managed WordPress / VPS)
4. In wp-config.php file, locate the section that looks like this example:
   

   /** The name of the database for WordPress */
   define('DB_NAME', 'yourdatabasename');
   /** MySQL database username */
   define('DB_USER', 'yourusername');
   /** MySQL database password */
   define('DB_PASSWORD', 'yourpassword');
   /** MySQL hostname */
   define('DB_HOST', 'yourhostname');
   
   $table_prefix  = 'yourtableprefix';

5. Confirm the information in this file matches the database details you found earlier.
   • Replace yourdatabasename with your MySQL Database Name
   • Replace yourusername with your MySQL User Name
   • Replace yourpassword with your MySQL password
   • Replace yourhostname with your MySQL Host Name
   • Replace yourtableprefix with your Table Prefix
6. If any of the information in the wp-config.php file doesn't match your database details, then update the file with the correct information.
7. Save the updated file.
8. Check your website to verify it's back online.

More info

• Return to Fix WordPress database connection strings
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