Title: Critical Error loading first plugin
Last modified: November 18, 2023

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# Critical Error loading first plugin

 *  Resolved [minterrors](https://wordpress.org/support/users/minterrors/)
 * (@minterrors)
 * [2 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/critical-error-loading-first-plugin/)
 * Hello,
 * This is my second post about the website. The first related to getting a critical
   error trying to install WordPress 6.3.x on a new windows 2022 server with the
   latest MySQL and PHP.
 * With WordPress 6.4.1, I was able to load the website and import the posts BUT,
   near the end, the server did throw a HTTP 500 error, but all seemed to work OK
   after a refresh.
 * Now, I get the same error Critical error attempting to install Wordfence. It’s
   the first and only plugin so far that has been attempted. I did not get an email
   from the website.
 * In my opinion, I think the errrors are related and I am attempting to find out
   why. There is no PHP error log yet.
 * There has been a critical error on this website. Please check your site admin
   email inbox for instructions.
 * [Learn more about troubleshooting WordPress.](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/faq-troubleshooting/)
 * What do you suggest I do in order to pinpoint the problem? One Community member
   who helped with the critical error on installing WordPress suggested the debugging
   process. Would that help in this instance where the site is up and running, but
   has issues with random critical errors?
 * The page I need help with: _[[log in](https://login.wordpress.org/?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwordpress.org%2Fsupport%2Ftopic%2Fcritical-error-loading-first-plugin%2F%3Foutput_format%3Dmd&locale=en_US)
   to see the link]_

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

 *  Moderator [threadi](https://wordpress.org/support/users/threadi/)
 * (@threadi)
 * [2 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/critical-error-loading-first-plugin/#post-17211980)
 * Every critical error should be recorded by the hosting in the error log. If you
   cannot find this, you can also activate debugging in WordPress as described here:
   [https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/debugging-in-wordpress/](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/debugging-in-wordpress/)
 * Depending on what you see, you can assess the specific cause and contact the 
   plugin’s support team if necessary so that they can clarify the issue.
 *  Thread Starter [minterrors](https://wordpress.org/support/users/minterrors/)
 * (@minterrors)
 * [2 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/critical-error-loading-first-plugin/#post-17212039)
 * Thanks for the quick reply.
 * **What is the name of the WordPress error log? **I run my own server, which is
   within close proximity. I will search for the file name and see if it offers 
   any decent info.
 * I have been attempting several plugins. The two security plugins are not loading,
   Wordfence and Jetpack. What I was successful so far was:
 * W3 Total cache
 * WordPress Importer
 * WP Crontrol.
 * Updraft Backup
 * I DO have an inline firewall, and I do not know at this point whether the inline
   firewall is refusing to load Wordfence and Jetpack or if it is something else.
   I will bypass the firewall when I have an opportunity to do so.
 *  Moderator [threadi](https://wordpress.org/support/users/threadi/)
 * (@threadi)
 * [2 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/critical-error-loading-first-plugin/#post-17212044)
 * If you have activated debug mode, WordPress will generate a log file in the wp-
   content directory. See: [https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/debugging-in-wordpress/](https://wordpress.org/documentation/article/debugging-in-wordpress/)
 * I can’t tell you what the log file of your own hosting is called as this differs
   for each system and I don’t know yours.
 *  Thread Starter [minterrors](https://wordpress.org/support/users/minterrors/)
 * (@minterrors)
 * [2 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/critical-error-loading-first-plugin/#post-17212156)
 * Hello,
 * One of the plugins I attempted next was a email related plugin. It said that 
   OpenSSL wasnt activated. So I activated it in PHP and the plugin finished successfully.
   I deleted the Wordfence and JetPack folders. I tried the Wordfence plugin once
   again and it successfully loaded.
 * I will close this ticket. In the case some other error pops up, I do another 
   ticket.
 * Again, **I appreciate your assistance** and I will try to see if DEBUG will assist
   in any other errors that might occur.
 *  Moderator [threadi](https://wordpress.org/support/users/threadi/)
 * (@threadi)
 * [2 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/critical-error-loading-first-plugin/#post-17212349)
 * Thanks for the feedback and glad you found the solution and documented it here
   for others.
 * Please note, however, that there are no tickets here in the forum. This is at
   most a topic as we are in a forum and not a support ticket system. These topics
   are closed automatically after some time.

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

The topic ‘Critical Error loading first plugin’ is closed to new replies.

## Tags

 * [critical error](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/critical-error/)

 * In: [Fixing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/how-to-and-troubleshooting/)
 * 5 replies
 * 2 participants
 * Last reply from: [threadi](https://wordpress.org/support/users/threadi/)
 * Last activity: [2 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/critical-error-loading-first-plugin/#post-17212349)
 * Status: resolved

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