WordPress Stuck on Installation Page – Fix | Fix4today.com

1. Introduction: When WordPress Installation Freezes or Loops 

Attempting to install WordPress only to discover the installation page stuck in an infinite loading state or redirect loop is a frustrating hurdle.  Instead of reaching the renowned "Welcome" screen, viewers see a continual spinner or a page that refreshes continuously.  This implies a fundamental incompatibility between your server environment and WordPress's setup scripts.  Common problems include wrong URL settings, rewrite rule issues, and server resource constraints.  This detailed guide gives specific ways to break the cycle and finish your installation successfully.   

           

2. The .htaccess Conflict: Server Rewrite Rules Gone Wrong 

The .htaccess file governs URL rewriting on Apache servers.  Even on a new setup, a corrupted or too restricted .htaccess file may disrupt the installation process.  The installation script may try to write to this file, meet a problem, and stall.  To diagnose this, browse your site's root directory using FTP or file manager and check for the .htaccess file.  Rename it to .htaccess_backup and try to refresh the installation page.  If it progresses, you've found the culprit—a clean .htaccess file will be produced automatically during setup. 

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3. Incorrect Site URL Configuration in Database 

If you're reinstalling WordPress over an existing database (like during a transfer), leftover URL settings in the wp_options table might create serious redirect problems.  The installation script reads these previous siteurl and home variables and attempts to redirect to them, creating a loop.  Access your database using phpMyAdmin, find the wp_options table, and ensure the option_value for both siteurl and home matches the exact URL where you're running the installation (including http:// or https://).  Incorrect settings here are a major cause of installation loops. 

4. PHP Configuration Limits: max_execution_time & max_input_vars 

WordPress installation includes complicated PHP procedures that might time out if server limitations are too low.  Two significant options are max_execution_time (how long a script may execute) and max_input_vars (how many input variables PHP permits).  If installation stalls, these restrictions may be discreetly exceeded.  You may raise them by creating or changing a php.ini file in your WordPress root directory with these lines: max_execution_time = 300 and max_input_vars = 3000.  Alternatively, contact your host to update these settings worldwide. 

5. Incomplete File Uploads and File Corruption 

An interrupted or damaged file upload via FTP might leave WordPress core files unfinished.  The installation script is stuck because it cannot locate or correctly read a needed file.  Symptoms include the site loading partly or hanging on a certain phase.  The remedy is to do a new, manual upload.  Delete all files from your server, download WordPress fresh from WordPress.org, unpack the zip file on your PC, then re-upload all files using FTP in binary transfer mode to assure file integrity.  This typically addresses strange hanging situations. 

6. Database Prefix Conflicts and Table Corruption 

A less frequent but powerful reason is a clash with the database table prefix.  If you're using a custom prefix (not the normal wp_) or if tables from a previous installation remain, the installer may halt when attempting to build or access them.  Access phpMyAdmin and verify your database is either fully empty for a new setup or that old tables are deleted.  Also, verify for any damaged tables by executing the "Check" and "Repair" procedures on all tables, since corruption might cause the SQL queries during installation to fail silently. 

7. SSL/HTTPS Conflicts and Mixed Content Warnings 

If you are installing on a domain with SSL/HTTPS mandated (common on contemporary hosting), but your temporary URL or setup environment utilizes HTTP, the server may generate a redirect loop while it attempts to impose security.  Similarly, mixed content warnings during the AJAX calls of the installer might stop work.  Ensure you are reaching the installation page with the right protocol.  If your site will utilize HTTPS, visit the installer via https://yourdomain.com/wp-admin/install.php.  Adding define('FORCE_SSL_ADMIN', true); to wp-config.php before installation may also assist in SSL situations. 

8. Browser-Specific Issues: Cache, Cookies, and Extensions 

Sometimes, the issue is local to your browser, not the server.  An overflowing cache, conflicting cookies from a previous WordPress session, or a browser extension (such aggressive security or ad-blocking plugins) might interfere with the installation page's JavaScript and AJAX calls.  Clear your browser's cache and cookies entirely for the site's domain.  Try the installation procedure in a private/incognito window with all extensions deactivated.  This simple technique may surprise alleviate many "stuck" installation difficulties. 

9. Step-by-Step Basic Troubleshooting Workflow 

• Clear Browser: Use incognito mode and deactivate extensions. 
• Rename .htaccess: Change to .htaccess_backup in site root. 
• Check Database URLs: In phpMyAdmin, check siteurl and home in wp_options. 
• Increase PHP Limits: Create a php.ini file with larger max_execution_time and max_input_vars. 
• Fresh File Upload: Delete and re-upload WordPress core files in binary mode over FTP. 
• Verify SSL: Ensure you're using the right http:// or https:// URL consistently. 

10. Step-by-Step Advanced Server-Side Fix 

If simple steps fail, the culprit is usually a restricted server setup. 

• Enable Debugging: Add define('WP_DEBUG', true); and define('WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', true); to wp-config.php.  Reload the install page to check if any PHP errors arise before the hang. 
• Check Error Logs: Access your server's PHP error log via your hosting control panel (typically titled error_log in the root or a logs folder).  This log will uncover hidden fatal mistakes. 
• Contact Hosting Support: Provide them with the error log results.  Request they: 

Disable ModSecurity for your domain temporarily. 

Check for and repair any suEXEC or user-id incompatibilities. 

Confirm the server satisfies all WordPress requirements. 

11. FAQs: Solving the Stuck Installation Page 

Q1: The installation screen asks for database details over and again in a loop.  What's wrong? 

A1: This is a typical sign of the wp-config.php file not being readable or the database credentials inside it being wrong.  Ensure the file has proper permissions (440 or 400) and that you can connect to the database using the test-db.php technique from our database error tutorial.  The installation cannot continue if it cannot write the configuration. 

Q2: Can a security plugin or firewall cause the installation to hang? 

A2: Yes, certainly.  Server-level firewalls like ModSecurity or Cloudflare's WAF might incorrectly block the POST requests sent during the installation process.  If you suspect this, contact your host to verify security logs or temporarily suspend Cloudflare's proxy (gray-cloud the domain) during setup. 

Q3: I'm using a local server (like XAMPP).  Why is the installation stuck? 

A3: On local contexts, frequent reasons are: 

Incorrect localhost reference: Try 127.0.0.1 as your DB_HOST. 

Port conflicts: Ensure Apache and MySQL are operating on their default ports (80/3306) without conflict. 

Windows/Mac file permissions: The local web server user may not have write access to the WordPress directory.  Adjust folder permissions to provide full management.