Written by Admin on 2025-05-06

"Troubleshooting: index.php Starts to Download Instead of Opening WordPress"

If you find that your website displays a blank page or starts to download the index.php file instead of opening your WordPress site, it can be a frustrating experience. But, worry not! It's a common issue, and there are various reasons that could cause this problem.

Causes of index.php Downloading Instead of Opening WordPress

Some of the common causes of this issue are:

1. Corrupted .htaccess File

A corrupted .htaccess file can be one of the reasons why index.php downloads instead of opening your WordPress site. You can try renaming the .htaccess file to .htaccess_old and reloading your WordPress page. A new .htaccess file will be generated that could fix the issue.

2. Cache Issues

Cached files on your website could also cause the problem of downloading index.php instead of opening your WordPress site. Clearing your cache files could help to solve this problem. You could clear your cache by using plugins like W3 Total Cache or WP Super Cache.

3. Plugin Conflict

If index.php started downloading after installing a new plugin, it could be the reason behind the issue. Try deactivating, and later uninstalling the plugin to see if it fixes the problem.

4. Outdated Theme or Plugins

When you have an outdated theme or plugin, it could cause issues, and one of them is displaying index.php file instead of your WordPress site. In such a case, you can update the theme or plugin to the latest version or alternatively try changing the theme to solve the problem.

5. Permissions Issues

Incorrect permissions to the WordPress files can lead to the problem of the index.php file downloading and not opening your WordPress site. You can check and update the file permissions using FTP Clients.

Conclusion

Fixing the problem of the index.php file downloading instead of opening your WordPress site may seem complicated. But, the solutions outlined above should help resolve the issue. Perform troubleshooting steps until your site appears without any challenges. If you are still in trouble, don't hesitate to contact a WordPress developer or support team for assistance.