---
title: Fatal Errors After Plugin Update
description: If updating the Cost of Goods plugin or WooCommerce causes a white screen, a parse error, or recovery mode, the usual cause is an outdated PHP version or an incompatible plugin. Make sure PHP meets the requirements (PHP 7.4+ recommended),…
url: "https://wpfactory.com/docs/fatal-errors-after-update/"
updated: "2026-09-26"
category: Troubleshooting
tags:
  - Cost of Goods
---

# Fatal Errors After Plugin Update

If updating the Cost of Goods plugin or WooCommerce causes a white screen, a parse error, or recovery mode, the usual cause is an outdated PHP version or an incompatible plugin. Make sure PHP meets the requirements (PHP 7.4+ recommended), update WooCommerce, then deactivate all plugins except WooCommerce and Cost of Goods and re-enable them one by one.

## **Problem Description**

Updating the Cost of Goods plugin or WooCommerce can cause fatal errors, parse errors, or the site entering recovery mode.

**Common Symptoms:**

- White screen of death (WSOD) after update.
- Errors like E_PARSE or E_ERROR.

**Cause:**

- Conflicts with outdated PHP version.
- Other plugins incompatible with new plugin version.

**Solution**

1. Ensure PHP version meets plugin requirements (PHP 7.4+ recommended).
2. Update WooCommerce to latest stable version.
3. Deactivate all plugins except WooCommerce and Cost of Goods.
4. Re-enable plugins one by one to identify conflict.
5. Restore backup if site is in recovery mode.

**Prerequisites**

- Backup prior to plugin update.
- WordPress and WooCommerce compatible versions.

**Additional Notes**

- Always test plugin updates on a staging site before production.

Related articles

- [Cost and Profit Missing on Orders From POS, API or Other Plugins](https://wpfactory.com/docs/cost-of-goods-missing-on-pos-api-orders/)
- [Bulk Edit and Import/Export Issues in Cost of Goods](https://wpfactory.com/docs/cog-bulk-edit-import-issues/)
- [Cost and Profit Show Zero or Outdated on Existing Orders](https://wpfactory.com/docs/cog-not-applied-existing-orders/)
- [Profit Calculation Issues in WooCommerce Cost of Goods](https://wpfactory.com/docs/profit-calculation-issue/)
- [Compatibility Issues](https://wpfactory.com/docs/compatibility-problems/)

 

[![Cost of Goods Sold (COGS): Cost & Profit Calculator for WooCommerce](https://wpfactory.com/wp-content/uploads/Cost-of-Goods-for-WooCommerce.webp)](https://wpfactory.com/item/cost-of-goods-for-woocommerce/)