Where did my site go? Nothing works — please help!

What does this mean?

Well, the message really is fairly self-explanatory…

This either means that the username and password information in your wp-config.php file is incorrect or we can’t contact the database server at localhost. This could mean your host’s database server is down.

Perhaps you should try following the directions, and checking your wp-config.php file to see if it has the correct information.

Thanks for the reply.

The problem is, my host’s database server is not down; I know that for a fact because the part of my site that’s not on WordPress works perfectly, and the other sites I have with that host also work perfectly (and I’m pretty sure they’re all on the same server).

And, in terms of the information, I’m sure it’s correct because I’ve never changed it, and it worked for a long time, prior to now.

I’ve also contacted the host, but the problem seems to be here.

The question is: what else could be going on?

P.S. I’m not sure why you would assume that I hadn’t followed the directions, or if your intention was to shame me, but your language makes me uncomfortable. As a moderator, you represent WordPress. And as someone reaching out for help from WordPress, I feel that I deserve to be talked to respectfully. Thank you for listening.

Do the parts of your site that don’t run on WordPress run on a database as well?

OK, I just viewed source on your main page, and I do not believe that the rest of the site is database-driven.

Why don’t you contact your host and explain what has happened. It could be something on their end. First, though, do check your wp-config. I know you say you haven’t changed it, but maybe somehow it was changed inadvertently.

I don’t think Otto was being intentionally rude. But your question, “What could this be” – was answered on the error page. You have a database problem, not a WordPress problem.

I’m not sure why you would assume that I hadn’t followed the directions

I didn’t think that you did not follow the directions on that page, but there really is no other possible answer here. So I’m kind of at a loss as to what more I can tell you to do. It’s definitely one of those things, no matter what you might think about it. Sorry if you don’t like that answer, but that’s just the way it is. I can’t make it any better by pretending it could be something else when it can’t.

The question is: what else could be going on?

Nothing else could be going on. It must be one of those things.

See, that’s the problem. The short answer to your question is pretty much what it says there on the page. WordPress can’t connect to the database. So either the login info is wrong, the database is down, or your connection to the database is broken. No other alternative exists.