Post-migration breakage usually comes from incorrect paths, missing files, or PHP version differences.
Even when the database imports cleanly, environment differences can cause subtle failures.
Start by checking PHP version compatibility and file permissions. Then confirm database credentials in wp-config.php. Finally, run a search-and-replace to update old URLs.
Serialized data can break if replaced incorrectly, so tools that understand serialization are essential. Manual SQL replacements often cause more harm than good.The key mistake is assuming “successful import” means “fully working site.”
The takeaway is to validate environment parity before and after migration.