If you’ve ever logged into your WordPress site expecting everything to work perfectly… only to see a white screen of doom or a broken homepage, you’re not alone. Recently, a big wave of website hiccups brushed through Bluehost-hosted WordPress sites. Why? A surprise auto-update messed with certain themes and file permissions.
TL;DR
Bluehost’s automated WordPress update broke websites due to theme compatibility issues and permission glitches. Sites showed weird layouts or crashed completely. Thankfully, rolling back to a previous version and fixing file permissions brought them back to life. Simple steps saved a lot of headaches.
What Actually Happened?
In late 2023 and early 2024, Bluehost pushed an automatic WordPress update to many of its hosted websites. While the intention was good — keeping sites secure and up-to-date — the execution tripped over itself.
Here’s the twist: when WordPress updated, some custom and premium themes couldn’t handle the new version. And to make matters worse, some files ended up with the wrong permissions. That’s like giving a guest in your house the keys to your safe — or giving no one access at all!
The Result:
- Websites with broken layouts
- White screens (aka the “White Screen of Death”)
- Admin dashboards locked out
- Sites that loaded as raw text
All from what should have been a minor patch. Ouch.
Why Did It Break?
The core of the issue was two-fold:
- Theme Compatibility: Some themes, especially older ones or those not updated in a while, didn’t mesh with the newer WordPress version. They relied on functions or formatting that were deprecated or changed.
- File Permissions: During the update, file and folder permissions changed. Proper permissions for WordPress are usually 755 for folders and 644 for files. Some got flipped to 600 or 777. That’s either too private or too risky!
It’s like someone rearranged your furniture and then locked you out of your own room. Not nice.
What Can You Do to Fix It?
Here’s the good news — there’s a way back. Many site owners managed to bring their sites back from the dead. The fix involved two main actions:
1. Rolling Back the WordPress Update
Think of this like pressing “Undo” after something goes wrong.
Here’s a simple way to do it with a plugin:
- Log into your WordPress dashboard (if you still can).
- Go to Plugins > Add New.
- Search for WP Downgrade.
- Install and activate it.
- Set the version you want to go back to (often the last-working version).
- Hit Downgrade and let the plugin do its job.
If you can’t log into the dashboard, you can also do this manually by downloading an old version of WordPress and overwriting the files using FTP. Not as fun, but it works.
2. Fixing File Permissions
This was the hidden villain. Even after a rollback, some sites stayed broken. Why? The WordPress system couldn’t read the files properly.
You’ll need to access your hosting account’s file manager or use an FTP client. Here’s what to check:
- Folders — Set to 755
- Files — Set to 644
- wp-config.php — 600 (because it holds sensitive info)
Most FTP clients like FileZilla let you right-click and choose “File Permissions.” Bluehost users can also do this through the cPanel File Manager.
Spoiler Alert: Some Themes Just Aren’t Meant to Last
It’s a hard truth: not all themes are future-proof. If your site broke, and you’re using a theme that hasn’t had updates in a year or more, it might be time to move on. Developers who abandon themes leave users in the lurch when updates come.
Check for these red flags:
- No updates in over 12 months
- Small or no developer community
- Known issues with recent WordPress versions
When in doubt, switch to a reliable, well-supported theme — like GeneratePress, Astra, or even the default WordPress themes.
Preventing the Panic in the Future
Here’s how to keep your site happy and healthy, even when auto-updates happen:
1. Use a Staging Site
Test updates on a staging version before applying them to the live site. Bluehost offers a staging tool, right inside the dashboard. Use it!
2. Backup Often
Set up automatic daily backups. Plugins like UpdraftPlus or BlogVault are great for this. Most work with cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox.
3. Monitor Site Updates
Turn off automatic updates… if you can be responsible about running manual ones. Or at least get notified when an update is installed.
4. Keep Your Themes and Plugins Updated
Don’t just update WordPress. Your theme and plugins need to stay compatible too. Most of the time, issues happen when one part updates and the others don’t follow.
Real Stories, Real Rescues
“My photography blog just disappeared!” said Amanda, a Bluehost user. “I rolled back WordPress and adjusted the permissions using FileZilla. Magically, it came back in an hour.”
“I thought my business website was hacked,” said James, who runs a portfolio site. “The homepage had no styling. But it was just the WordPress update. After a rollback, I changed themes to Astra just to be safe.”
These aren’t rare issues. They’re common — and preventable.
Conclusion: Don’t Panic, Just Prepare
Yes, Bluehost auto-updated your WordPress and it may have caused chaos. But thankfully, the web isn’t that fragile. With a little patience, a decent backup, and a good eye for file permissions, your site can bounce back stronger.
Tech bugs happen. The important part is how quickly you fix them — and how smartly you update from now on.
Happy WordPressing!
