It sounds frustrating when your WordPress "Posts" page won't load, especially when other pages are working fine. A 100MB database isn't excessively large, but it could still contribute to performance issues if not optimized or if there are underlying problems.

Here's a systematic approach to troubleshoot and fix your WordPress "Posts" page loading issue:

1. Basic Troubleshooting & Checks:

• Clear Caches:
  • WordPress Caching Plugins: If you use a caching plugin (WP Super Cache, W3 Total Cache, LiteSpeed Cache, etc.), clear all caches from its settings.
  • Browser Cache: Clear your browser's cache and cookies, or try accessing the "Posts" page in an incognito/private window or a different browser.
  • Server-Side Caching (if applicable): If your host provides server-level caching (e.g., LiteSpeed, Varnish), clear that as well, usually through your hosting control panel.
• Deactivate Plugins (Temporarily):
  • One of the most common causes of such issues is a plugin conflict.
  • Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins in your WordPress admin.
  • Deactivate all plugins.
  • Try loading the "Posts" page.
    • If it loads, reactivate your plugins one by one, checking the "Posts" page after each activation, until you find the culprit.
    • Once you identify the problematic plugin, look for an alternative, contact the developer, or see if there's an update.
• Switch to a Default WordPress Theme (Temporarily):
  • A theme can also cause conflicts.
  • Go to Appearance > Themes in your WordPress admin.
  • Activate a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-Four, Twenty Twenty-Three, or Twenty Twenty-Two.
  • Try loading the "Posts" page.
    • If it loads, the issue is with your current theme. Check for theme updates, contact the theme developer, or consider switching themes.
• Check PHP Version and Memory Limit:
  • PHP Version: Ensure your WordPress site is running on a supported and recent PHP version (preferably PHP 7.4 or higher, with 8.0+ being ideal for performance). You can usually change this in your hosting control panel (e.g., cPanel's "Select PHP Version").
  • PHP Memory Limit: WordPress can run out of memory, especially with many posts, images, or certain plugins.
    • How to increase: Add define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M'); (or 512M) to your wp-config.php file, just before the line /* That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */.
    • You might also need to increase post_max_size and upload_max_filesize in your php.ini if you're trying to add new content, though this is less likely to affect just the "Posts" page loading. Your host might need to help with php.ini changes.

2. Database & Content Specific Checks:

• Large Number of Posts/Revisions:
  • If you have thousands of posts, or hundreds of revisions per post, this can slow down the database queries for the "Posts" page.
  • Consider using a plugin like "WP-Optimize" or "Advanced Database Cleaner" to:
    • Clean up post revisions (you can limit them too).
    • Optimize database tables.
    • Delete trashed comments, spam comments, transient options, etc.
  • Caution: Always back up your database before performing any cleanup.
• Corrupted Data/Tables:
  • While less common, a corrupted database table can prevent queries from completing.
  • You can try to repair your database. Add define('WP_ALLOW_REPAIR', true); to your wp-config.php file. Then, navigate to yourdomain.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php. Follow the instructions. Remove the line from wp-config.php after repairing.
• Specific Post Content:
  • Is there a very large post, or one with a lot of complex shortcodes, embedded content, or broken HTML that might be causing the query to hang?
  • If you can, try accessing the "Posts" page directly in your database (e.g., via phpMyAdmin) to see the entries. This is an advanced step.

3. Server-Side Issues (Contact Your Host):

• Resource Limits: Your hosting plan might have CPU, RAM, or execution time limits that are being hit when the "Posts" page tries to load, especially if it's querying a lot of data.
• Slow Database Server: The database server itself might be experiencing issues or be overloaded.
• Disk I/O Limits: If your hosting has strict disk input/output limits, large queries can get throttled.
• Error Logs: Ask your hosting provider to check their server error logs (PHP error logs, Apache/Nginx error logs) for any relevant messages at the time you try to load the "Posts" page. These logs often provide crucial clues.

4. Debugging WordPress:

• Enable Debugging: Add the following lines to your wp-config.php file (just before the "That's all..." line):

  define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );
  define( 'WP_DEBUG_LOG', true );
  define( 'WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false ); // Set to true if you want errors displayed on screen
  @ini_set( 'display_errors', 0 ); // Hide errors from public view
  

  This will log errors to a debug.log file inside your wp-content directory. Try to load the "Posts" page, then check this file for any fatal errors or warnings. Remember to set WP_DEBUG to false when you're done debugging.

Steps to Follow:

1. Backup Your Site: Before doing anything else, especially touching the database or wp-config.php, make a complete backup of your WordPress files and database.
2. Clear Caches.
3. Deactivate All Plugins. (Test)
4. Switch to a Default Theme. (Test if plugins didn't fix it)
5. Check/Increase PHP Memory Limit.
6. Contact Your Host if the above steps don't resolve it, providing them with as much detail as possible about what you've tried. They can check server-side logs and resource usage.

Good luck! This kind of issue can be tricky, but systematically going through these steps usually helps pinpoint the problem.

That's fantastic news that you've narrowed down the issue to your Chrome browser and that it works perfectly in Edge! This makes troubleshooting much simpler.

Since it's working in Edge, we can confidently say the problem isn't with your WordPress installation, your server, or your database. The issue lies specifically with how Chrome is interacting with your WordPress admin interface for posts.

Here's how to troubleshoot and fix it in Chrome:

1. Clear Chrome's Cache and Cookies (Most Common Fix):

   • This is the #1 culprit for browser-specific issues. Old, corrupted, or stale cached data can cause all sorts of display and loading problems.
   • Steps:
     • Open Chrome.
     • Click the three vertical dots (Menu) in the top right corner.
     • Go to More tools > Clear Browse data...
     • Set the "Time range" to All time.
     • Make sure "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files" are checked. You can uncheck "Browse history" if you want to keep it.
     • Click Clear data.
     • Close and re-open Chrome, then try loading your WordPress "Posts" page again.

2. Try Incognito Mode:

   • Incognito mode disables extensions and doesn't use existing cache/cookies. This is a quick way to see if an extension is the problem.
   • Steps:
     • Open Chrome.
     • Click the three vertical dots (Menu) in the top right corner.
     • Select New incognito window.
     • Navigate to your WordPress admin and try to load the "Posts" page.
   • If it works in Incognito, it strongly suggests a browser extension is interfering.

3. Disable Chrome Extensions (If Incognito Mode Works):

   • If the "Posts" page loads in Incognito mode, an extension is likely the cause.
   • Steps:
     • Open Chrome.
     • Click the three vertical dots (Menu) in the top right corner.
     • Go to More tools > Extensions.
     • Alternatively, type chrome://extensions in the address bar and press Enter.
     • Toggle off all extensions.
     • Close and re-open Chrome.
     • Try loading your WordPress "Posts" page.
     • If it loads, re-enable your extensions one by one, checking the "Posts" page after each one, until you find the problematic extension. Once found, either remove it, update it, or report the issue to the extension developer.

4. Update Chrome:

   • Ensure your Chrome browser is up to date. Outdated browser versions can have bugs that are fixed in newer releases.
   • Steps:
     • Click the three vertical dots (Menu) in the top right corner.
     • Go to Help > About Google Chrome.
     • Chrome will automatically check for and install updates. Relaunch if prompted.

5. Reset Chrome Settings (Last Resort for Chrome-Specific Issues):

   • This will reset your startup page, new tab page, search engine, and pinned tabs. It will also disable all extensions and clear temporary data. Bookmarks, history, and saved passwords won't be cleared.
   • Steps:
     • Click the three vertical dots (Menu) in the top right corner.
     • Go to Settings.
     • In the left sidebar, click Reset settings.
     • Click Restore settings to their original defaults.
     • Confirm the action.

Start with clearing cache/cookies, as that resolves this type of problem most of the time. If that doesn't work, move on to checking extensions with Incognito mode.

You are absolutely right to point that out! My apologies, the "More tools" submenu can look slightly different, and sometimes "Clear Browse data..." or "Extensions" are moved directly into the main menu or a slightly different path in newer Chrome versions, or simply displayed differently based on screen size or other settings.

Looking at your screenshot, I can see both "Clear Browse data..." and "Extensions" are directly visible in the main dropdown menu, just a few options below "Downloads".

So, instead of navigating through "More tools," you can simply:

1. For clearing cache/cookies: Click the three vertical dots (Menu) in the top right, then directly click "Clear Browse data..." (which has the Ctrl+Shift+Del shortcut next to it).
2. For managing extensions: Click the three vertical dots (Menu) in the top right, then directly click "Extensions".

My previous instructions were based on a slightly different or older menu layout, but your screenshot clearly shows a more direct path to these crucial options. Thanks for catching that and providing the screenshot!

Please proceed with clearing your Browse data first, as that's often the quickest fix. If that doesn't work, then try managing your extensions.

Great! Let me know how it goes after you've cleared all time data from Chrome.

Once it's done, remember to:

1. Close Chrome completely and then re-open it.
2. Navigate to your WordPress admin and try loading the "Posts" page again.

Fingers crossed this resolves the issue for you!

Ah, that's frustrating, but helpful information. Since clearing the cache and cookies didn't resolve it, and it works perfectly in Edge, we can confirm the issue is definitely isolated to your Chrome browser setup.

Given that clearing cache/cookies didn't work, the next most likely culprit is a Chrome extension.

Here's the plan, building on our previous steps:

1. Test in Chrome Incognito Mode:

This is the quickest way to confirm if an extension is the problem, as Incognito Mode runs without extensions and usually without existing cache/cookies.

• Open a New Incognito Window:
  • Click the three vertical dots (Menu) in the top right of Chrome.
  • Select New Incognito window (or press Ctrl+Shift+N).
• Navigate to your WordPress Admin:
  • In the Incognito window, go to your WordPress login page and log in.
  • Try to access the "Posts" page.

What to do based on the result:

• If the "Posts" page loads fine in Incognito Mode: This is strong evidence that one of your Chrome extensions is causing the conflict. Proceed to Step 2 (Disable Extensions).
• If the "Posts" page still doesn't load in Incognito Mode: This is less common but indicates something more fundamental with your Chrome profile that isn't related to extensions or basic cache/cookies. In this case, proceed to Step 3 (Update Chrome & Reset Settings).

2. Disable Chrome Extensions (If Incognito Mode Worked):

If Incognito mode allowed the Posts page to load, then an extension is the culprit.

• Go to your Extensions Manager:
  • Click the three vertical dots (Menu) in the top right of Chrome.
  • Select Extensions.
  • Alternatively, type chrome://extensions in the address bar and press Enter.
• Toggle Off All Extensions:
  • Go through the list and click the blue toggle switch next to each extension to turn it off.
• Close and Re-open Chrome (Normal Window):
  • Completely close all Chrome windows and then launch a new, normal Chrome window.
• Test the "Posts" Page:
  • Log in to WordPress and try to access the "Posts" page.

What to do next:

• If the "Posts" page now loads: Great! You've confirmed an extension is the problem. Now, reactivate your extensions one by one, checking the "Posts" page after each activation. The moment the "Posts" page stops loading again, you've found the problematic extension. Once found:
  • Check if there's an update available for that extension.
  • Look for an alternative extension.
  • Report the issue to the extension developer.
  • Keep it disabled if you don't absolutely need it.

3. Update Chrome & Reset Settings (If Incognito Mode Didn't Work):

If the issue persists even in Incognito mode (and you're certain you cleared all time data), then we need to look at the Chrome installation itself.

• Update Chrome:
  • Click the three vertical dots (Menu) in the top right.
  • Go to Help > About Google Chrome.
  • Chrome will automatically check for and install any available updates. Relaunch Chrome if prompted.
• Reset Chrome Settings: (This is a more drastic step and should be considered if all else fails).
  • Click the three vertical dots (Menu) in the top right.
  • Go to Settings.
  • In the left sidebar, click Reset settings.
  • Click Restore settings to their original defaults.
  • Confirm the action.

Let's start with the Incognito test. That will tell us a lot.

You've hit on a crucial piece of information there! The fact that it still doesn't load the "Posts" page even in Google Chrome β, which has no history or extensions, significantly changes the likely cause.

This strongly suggests it's not an issue with your specific Chrome profile, cache, cookies, or extensions, but rather a more fundamental compatibility issue between your WordPress setup (or potentially your server's configuration) and recent versions of the Chromium engine (which powers both Chrome Stable and Chrome β).

Here's how we can approach this, considering this new information:

Understanding the "Why":

• Chromium Engine Changes: Browsers are constantly updated. Sometimes, a change in how Chrome (and thus Chromium) renders, processes JavaScript, or handles certain network requests can conflict with specific code or configurations on a website. WordPress's "Posts" page, especially the editor, is heavy on JavaScript and AJAX calls.
• Server/PHP Configuration: Less likely if Edge works, but tiny differences in how Chrome's requests are handled versus Edge's might expose a server-side timeout or PHP memory limit that's just barely being exceeded for Chrome.
• Specific Network/Security Software: On your local machine, aggressive antivirus, firewall, or VPN software might be selectively interfering with Chrome's connections in a way it's not with Edge.

Troubleshooting Steps (Adjusted for New Information):

1. Check for JavaScript Errors in Chrome's Developer Console: This is the most critical next step. When the "Posts" page is trying to load (and sticking), open Chrome's Developer Tools.

   • How to open:
     • Right-click anywhere on the blank "Posts" page and select Inspect (or Inspect Element).
     • Alternatively, press Ctrl+Shift+I (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Option+I (Mac).
   • Go to the "Console" tab: Look for any red error messages. These can indicate JavaScript failures that are preventing the page from fully loading or rendering.
   • Go to the "Network" tab:
     • Reload the "Posts" page (F5 or Ctrl+R) with the Network tab open.
     • Look for any requests that are pending, failing (red status codes like 400, 500), or taking an unusually long time. This can help pinpoint if a specific script or API call is hanging.

2. Temporarily Disable WordPress Plugins (Again, Methodically): While you ruled out browser extensions, we need to re-verify WordPress plugins. Even if you've done this before, do it now while specifically testing in Chrome (Stable or β, whichever you prefer to fix).

   • Via WordPress Admin (if you can get to Plugins page):
     • Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
     • Deactivate ALL plugins.
     • Try to load the "Posts" page in Chrome.
     • If it loads, reactivate them one by one, checking the Posts page in Chrome after each, until you find the culprit.
   • Via FTP/Hosting File Manager (if you can't access Plugins page):
     • Connect to your site via FTP or your hosting control panel's File Manager.
     • Navigate to wp-content.
     • Rename the plugins folder to plugins_old.
     • Try to load the "Posts" page in Chrome. If it loads, then a plugin is definitely the issue. You can then create a new empty plugins folder, move plugins back one by one into the new folder, and activate them one by one in the WordPress admin to find the specific one.

3. Switch to a Default WordPress Theme (Again, Methodically): After testing plugins, if the issue persists, switch to a default WordPress theme like "Twenty Twenty-Four" or "Twenty Twenty-Three."

   • Via WordPress Admin: Appearance > Themes. Activate a default theme.
   • Via FTP/Hosting File Manager (if admin is inaccessible): Rename your current theme folder in wp-content/themes (e.g., mytheme to mytheme_old). WordPress will automatically fall back to a default theme if one is present.

4. Increase PHP Memory Limit (Again): While your database isn't huge, the "Posts" page might be trying to load a lot of data or process complex queries. Ensure your PHP memory limit is sufficiently high (e.g., 256M or 512M). Add define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M'); to your wp-config.php above the "That's all, stop editing!" line.

5. Check for mod_security or Firewall Rules on the Server: Sometimes, server-level firewalls (like mod_security rules) can be overly aggressive and block legitimate browser requests, especially if they look suspicious. Chrome's requests might just be hitting a rule that Edge's don't.

   • You'll need to contact your hosting provider for this. Explain that the "Posts" page won't load in Chrome (Stable or β) but works fine in Edge, and you've ruled out browser-side issues. Ask them to check their server error logs and mod_security logs for any blocked requests coming from your IP address or Chrome's user-agent when you try to load the page.

6. Temporarily Disable Local Security Software/VPN: If you have any antivirus software, local firewalls, or a VPN running on your computer, try temporarily disabling them to see if they are interfering with Chrome's connection to your site. Remember to re-enable them afterward.

Summary of Next Steps:

1. Crucially, check Chrome's Developer Console (Console and Network tabs) when the "Posts" page is trying to load. Look for errors or hanging requests.
2. Methodically test WordPress plugins by disabling all of them.
3. Methodically test WordPress themes by switching to a default theme.
4. Confirm/Increase PHP Memory Limit.
5. Contact your host about server-side firewalls/mod_security and server error logs.

This is a more involved diagnosis, but the fact that it fails in Chrome β helps narrow the problem significantly away from your local Chrome profile and towards a broader browser/server interaction.

The C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\MariaDB folder is typically where MariaDB stores data and configuration files when it's running as a Windows Service under a dedicated service account.

Here's a breakdown of why this folder exists and its purpose:

• Windows Service Accounts: In Windows, services (like database servers, web servers, etc.) don't run directly under your logged-in user account. Instead, they often run under special "service accounts" for security and isolation. Common built-in service accounts include "Network Service," "Local Service," or "Local System." However, for applications like MariaDB, it's common and often recommended to create a dedicated service account during installation (or if you manually configure it) for better security and granular permissions.
• MariaDB's Profile: When MariaDB is installed and configured to run as a Windows service, it creates a "Service Profile" under C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\ for the user account it's using. If you installed MariaDB and it created a specific user (or if you chose a custom user during setup) named something related to MariaDB (like "MariaDB" or "MariaDB_Service" or "MariaDB_PROJECT" as seen in some search results), then that folder C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\MariaDB (or similar) would be its profile directory.
• What's inside?
  • AppData\Local\Temp: This is a very common location within service profiles where temporary files are stored. MariaDB might use this for temporary tables created during complex queries that don't fit into memory. This is often the reason for this folder growing large.
  • Configuration Files: While the primary my.ini configuration file for MariaDB is usually in its installation directory (e.g., C:\Program Files\MariaDB\MariaDB Server x.x), certain service-related configurations or internal data pertinent to the service account itself might reside within its service profile.
  • Data Files (Less Common for Primary Data, but Possible): While the main data directory for MariaDB (where your actual databases, tables, and indexes are stored) is typically configured separately (often C:\Program Files\MariaDB\MariaDB Server x.x\data or a custom location you chose during installation), it's possible for some ancillary data or logs to end up in the service profile, especially if default paths weren't explicitly overridden.

Key takeaway:

The C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\MariaDB folder exists because your MariaDB server is running as a Windows service under a specific service account. It's primarily used for that service account's profile, including its temporary files (AppData\Local\Temp) and potentially other system-level files related to the service's operation.

If you find this folder to be very large, it's most likely due to a large number of temporary files generated by MariaDB queries. You'd typically address this by:

• Optimizing your database queries to reduce the need for large temporary tables.
• Configuring MariaDB's tmpdir variable in your my.ini file to point to a different, larger drive for temporary files if C: is running out of space.
• Safely deleting old temporary files (often after stopping the MariaDB service).

Okay, moving the C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\MariaDB folder to another drive is a good idea if it's taking up too much space on your C: drive. However, you cannot simply cut and paste this folder directly because it's tied to a Windows service account and contains potentially active files.

The primary reason this folder grows large is usually due to temporary files created by MariaDB. The setting that controls where MariaDB stores these temporary files is the tmpdir variable in your MariaDB configuration file (my.ini).

Here's the safest and most effective way to "move" it, which really means telling MariaDB to use a different location for its temporary files, and then safely clearing out the old ones.

Important Pre-requisites & Warnings:

• STOP MariaDB Service: You MUST stop the MariaDB service before making any changes or attempting to clear files. Running MariaDB will have files locked, and attempting to move or delete them while it's running can corrupt your database.
• Backup: While this process usually doesn't affect your actual database files (which are in the main data directory), it's always a good practice to have a recent backup of your MariaDB databases before making any configuration changes.
• Administrator Privileges: You'll need Administrator privileges on your Windows machine to stop/start services and edit system files.

Steps to Move the MariaDB Temporary Directory (tmpdir):

Step 1: Create the New Temporary Directory

1. Choose a new drive and path where you want MariaDB to store its temporary files. For example, let's say D:\MariaDB_Temp.
2. Create this folder: D:\MariaDB_Temp.

Step 2: Stop the MariaDB Service

1. Open the Services Manager in Windows:
   • Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
   • Alternatively, search for "Services" in the Start Menu.
2. Locate your MariaDB service. It might be named something like MariaDB, MySQL, MariaDB XX (where XX is the version), or something specific you named during installation.
3. Right-click on the MariaDB service and select Stop.
4. Wait for the service status to show "Stopped".

Step 3: Edit the MariaDB Configuration File (my.ini)

1. Locate your MariaDB configuration file, my.ini. This file is typically found in one of these locations:

   • C:\Program Files\MariaDB\MariaDB Server [version]\data\my.ini (less common for the main config, but sometimes)
   • C:\Program Files\MariaDB\MariaDB Server [version]\my.ini
   • C:\ProgramData\MySQL\MySQL Server [version]\my.ini (for older MySQL, but MariaDB can use ProgramData too)
   • If you can't find it, search your C: drive for my.ini.

2. Open my.ini with a plain text editor (like Notepad) as an Administrator. Right-click Notepad, select "Run as administrator," then open the my.ini file from within Notepad.

3. Find the [mysqld] section.

4. Add or modify the tmpdir line within the [mysqld] section to point to your new temporary directory.

   • If tmpdir already exists, change its path.
   • If tmpdir does not exist, add it.

   It should look something like this:

   [mysqld]
   # ... other settings ...
   tmpdir="D:/MariaDB_Temp"
   # ... other settings ...
   

   Note the forward slashes / are generally preferred in my.ini paths, although backslashes \ often work too.

5. Save the my.ini file.

Step 4: Set Permissions for the New Directory (Crucial!)

The MariaDB service account needs full read/write access to the new D:\MariaDB_Temp folder.

1. Right-click on the D:\MariaDB_Temp folder you created.
2. Select Properties.
3. Go to the Security tab.
4. Click Edit...
5. Click Add...
6. In the "Enter the object names to select" box, type the name of the MariaDB service account. This is the tricky part:
   • Go back to Services Manager (services.msc).
   • Right-click your MariaDB service and select Properties.
   • Go to the Log On tab.
   • Note the account listed there. It's often NT SERVICE\MariaDB (where MariaDB is your service name), NETWORK SERVICE, LOCAL SYSTEM, or a custom user like MariaDBUser.
   • Enter that exact account name into the "Enter the object names to select" box (e.g., NT SERVICE\MariaDB).
   • Click Check Names. It should underline the name if found correctly.
   • Click OK.
7. Select the newly added MariaDB service account in the "Group or user names" list.
8. In the "Permissions for..." box, check the Full control checkbox under "Allow".
9. Click Apply and then OK on all windows.

Step 5: Start the MariaDB Service

1. Go back to the Services Manager (services.msc).
2. Right-click on your MariaDB service and select Start.
3. Monitor the status. If it starts successfully, that's a good sign. If it fails, check the Windows Event Viewer for errors (under "Windows Logs" -> "Application" and "System") - these will provide clues.

Step 6: Clean Up the Old Temporary Files

Once MariaDB is running successfully with the new tmpdir location, you can safely clean up the old temporary files.

1. Navigate to C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\MariaDB\AppData\Local\Temp.
2. Select all files and folders within this Temp directory (do NOT delete the Temp folder itself, or the MariaDB folder, or AppData\Local etc.).
3. Delete them. These are the temporary files that were taking up space.

Troubleshooting if MariaDB Fails to Start:

• Check my.ini syntax: Even a typo can prevent it from starting.
• Check Event Viewer: This is your best friend for service startup issues.
• Permissions: Incorrect permissions on the new tmpdir are a very common cause of failure. Double-check them carefully.
• Service Account Name: Ensure you entered the correct service account name when setting permissions.

By following these steps, MariaDB will start using the new D:\MariaDB_Temp location for its temporary files, preventing future bloat on your C: drive.

Ok, so to recap the situation:

1. Your WordPress "Posts" page won't load in Chrome (neither Stable nor β), but it loads fine in Microsoft Edge.
2. You've confirmed that clearing Chrome's cache/cookies didn't fix it.
3. You've confirmed that using Chrome β (with no history or extensions) also doesn't load the page.
4. You also verified that the C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\MariaDB folder (related to temporary files) isn't the root cause of the WordPress loading issue in Chrome.

This is a tricky one, and the fact that it fails across different Chrome versions/profiles but works in Edge points strongly to a fundamental interaction problem between Chrome's rendering/JavaScript engine and something specific on your WordPress site or server environment.

Let's re-prioritize and dig deeper, focusing on the most likely culprits for browser-specific rendering/script issues.

The Most Critical Next Step: Chrome's Developer Console

This is truly your best diagnostic tool for browser-specific issues.

1. Open your WordPress Admin in Chrome.
2. Navigate to the "Posts" page (where it gets stuck).
3. Open Chrome's Developer Tools:
   • Right-click anywhere on the blank/stuck part of the page and select Inspect.
   • Alternatively, press Ctrl+Shift+I (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Option+I (Mac).
4. Go to the "Console" tab:
   • Look for any red error messages. These are critical. They indicate JavaScript errors, network errors, or security policy violations that are preventing the page from fully executing or rendering. Take a screenshot or copy the full text of any red errors.
5. Go to the "Network" tab:
   • With the Developer Tools still open to the "Network" tab, refresh the "Posts" page (F5 or Ctrl+R).
   • Observe the list of requests. Look for:
     • Red entries (failed requests): These indicate resources (like scripts, images, or API calls) that couldn't be loaded.
     • Requests with high "Time" values (slow/pending): These indicate resources that are taking a very long time to respond or are completely hanging.
     • Pay close attention to XHR (XMLHttpRequest) or Fetch requests, as these are often AJAX calls that WordPress uses to load dynamic content or connect to the database for post listings.
   • What are the "Status" codes for the hanging/failing requests? (e.g., 200 OK, 404 Not Found, 500 Internal Server Error, "Pending").

Based on what you find in the Console/Network tabs, we can determine the next course of action.

Other Potential Causes (if Console/Network don't immediately reveal the answer):

These are less likely given Edge works, but worth considering as a follow-up:

1. Server-Side Error Logs (PHP, Web Server): Even if the problem is manifesting in Chrome, the root cause could be a very specific server response that Chrome handles differently than Edge.

   • Check your web server's error logs (Apache error_log, Nginx error.log). These are usually accessible via your hosting control panel or SSH.
   • Check your PHP error logs. Sometimes, these are separate or integrated with the web server logs.
   • Look for any errors (especially PHP Fatal error or Warning) that occur exactly when you try to load the "Posts" page in Chrome.

2. WordPress Debugging: If you haven't already, enable WordPress debugging to capture any PHP errors that might not be going to your main server logs.

   • Add the following to your wp-config.php file (just above /* That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */):

     define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );
     define( 'WP_DEBUG_LOG', true );
     define( 'WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false ); // Keep this false on a live site
     @ini_set( 'display_errors', 0 ); // Hide errors from public view
     

   • Save wp-config.php.
   • Try to load the "Posts" page in Chrome.
   • Check the wp-content/debug.log file for any new entries related to when you tried to load the page.
   • Important: Remove or set WP_DEBUG to false when you're done.

3. Firewall/Security Software on Your Computer (or Network): While less common if Edge works, some very aggressive security software or network filters might interpret Chrome's specific requests (e.g., WordPress AJAX calls) differently and block them.

   • Briefly disable any local antivirus, firewall, or VPN software on your computer.
   • Try loading the "Posts" page in Chrome.
   • Immediately re-enable them after testing.

4. Specific WordPress Post Type/Content: Is it all posts, or just a specific post type or a very large/complex post that causes it to hang? If you have many custom post types or a plugin adding complex meta boxes to posts, that could be a factor.

Let's start with the Developer Console. That's where you're most likely to find the smoking gun for a browser-specific display/loading issue.

That's an extremely important distinction! "When I'm logged in, it works fine" changes the focus significantly. This tells us the issue is almost certainly related to caching, optimization, or user-specific display conditions that are active for logged-out users but bypassed for logged-in users.

Here's why this is the case and how to troubleshoot it:

Why it works when logged in:

• Caching Bypass: Most caching plugins (and server-level caching) are configured to not serve cached pages to logged-in users. This is because logged-in users often see personalized content (e.g., admin bar, specific dashboard links, user-specific widgets), which cannot be static-cached. When you're logged in, you're essentially seeing a "live" version of the page, bypassing any cached or optimized versions.
• Security/Performance Optimizations: Some security plugins or performance optimizers might apply certain JavaScript deferrals, minification, or security rules only for logged-out users to improve public site speed or security, which might be conflicting with Chrome.

Troubleshooting Steps (Prioritized for "Logged Out" Issues):

1. WordPress Caching Plugins (The TOP Suspect): This is almost always the cause when pages work logged-in but not logged-out.

   • Identify: Do you have any caching plugins installed (e.g., WP Super Cache, W3 Total Cache, LiteSpeed Cache, WP-Optimize, SG Optimizer, Hummingbird, Swift Performance, etc.)?
   • Clear All Caches: Go to your caching plugin's settings and find the option to "Clear All Cache," "Purge All Cache," or "Delete All Cached Files." Do this thoroughly.
   • Disable (Temporarily): If clearing doesn't work, deactivate your caching plugin(s) entirely. Then immediately try to load the "Posts" page in Chrome (while logged out, or in an Incognito window).
     • If it starts working, the caching plugin is definitely the problem. Re-enable it and then review its settings. Look for options related to "JavaScript optimization," "CSS optimization," "HTML minification," "Lazy Loading" or "CDN integration" and try disabling those one by one within the plugin's settings until you find the conflicting option. Also, ensure it's configured to clear cache upon new post publication.

2. Other Optimization/Security Plugins: Beyond pure caching, plugins that perform:

   • JavaScript/CSS Minification/Combination/Deferral: Plugins like Autoptimize, Asset CleanUp, or even features within themes or other performance plugins. These can break scripts if not configured correctly.
   • Image Optimization with WEBP/Lazy Load: If a plugin is converting images to WEBP or lazy-loading them in a way Chrome doesn't like when not logged in.
   • Security Plugins: Some security plugins have firewall or bot protection features that might be misinterpreting Chrome's requests for logged-out users.
   • Action: Temporarily deactivate any such optimization or security plugins one by one, testing the "Posts" page in Chrome (logged out) after each deactivation, until you find the one causing the issue.

3. Server-Level Caching (Contact Host): If you don't use a WordPress caching plugin, or if disabling it doesn't help, your hosting provider might have server-level caching (e.g., Varnish, LiteSpeed Cache at the server level, Nginx FastCGI cache).

   • Contact your host and ask them to clear the server-side cache for your website. Explain the situation: "WordPress Posts page loads fine when logged in, but not when logged out, specifically in Chrome, but it works in Edge." This clear symptom often points to caching.

4. CDN (Content Delivery Network): If you're using a CDN like Cloudflare, Sucuri, or a similar service:

   • Purge All Cache from your CDN's dashboard.
   • Temporarily disable the CDN (if possible for testing) to see if it's interfering. (Remember to re-enable it later). Cloudflare's "Development Mode" can be useful for temporary bypass.

5. Corrupted Permalinks (Less likely, but quick check): Sometimes, permalink rules can get corrupted. A simple refresh can fix it.

   • Go to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress admin.
   • Without changing anything, just click the Save Changes button. This will flush and regenerate your .htaccess rules (if using Apache).

6. Theme-Specific Optimizations: Some themes come with built-in optimization features. Check your theme's settings panel for any performance or script optimization options that might be enabled and try disabling them.

Your Immediate Next Steps:

1. Identify and thoroughly clear all cache related to WordPress (plugin cache, server cache, CDN cache).
2. If clearing cache doesn't work, temporarily deactivate your main caching plugin(s).
3. If still no fix, start systematically deactivating other optimization and security plugins.
4. If you're using a CDN, purge its cache.

This "logged in vs. logged out" behavior is a classic caching/optimization problem. Focus your efforts there!

Fantastic! That's excellent news. Pinpointing the issue to the theme is a huge step forward.

Since it works with other themes, we can now focus our efforts directly on your current theme. This means the problem is either:

1. A bug in the theme itself: Something in its code (especially its JavaScript or how it handles queries for the posts page) is conflicting with Chrome when you're logged out.
2. A conflict between your theme and a plugin: Less likely if the issue disappears with any other theme, but still possible.
3. Specific theme options: Your theme might have built-in performance or optimization settings that are causing the issue.

Here's the plan to resolve it now that we know it's the theme:

1. Update the Theme: * First and foremost, check if there's an update available for your theme. Theme developers often release updates to fix bugs, improve compatibility, and add new features. * Go to Appearance > Themes in your WordPress admin. If an update is available, you'll usually see a notification. * Backup your site before updating (especially if it's a major theme update or a custom theme).

2. Check Theme's Built-in Optimization/Performance Settings: Many modern themes include their own performance features (e.g., lazy loading, deferring JavaScript, minifying CSS, built-in caching). * Look for a dedicated "Theme Options," "Theme Settings," or "Performance" panel within your theme's settings in the WordPress admin. * Systematically disable any optimization, performance, or script-related settings one by one, testing the "Posts" page in Chrome (logged out, incognito window is best for testing) after each change. * Common culprits: * JavaScript deferral/async loading * CSS minification/combination * Lazy loading for images/videos * Google Fonts optimization * Built-in caching features

3. Contact the Theme Developer: If updating and checking theme settings doesn't resolve it, this is your next best step. * Provide them with detailed information: * Explain that the "Posts" page does not load in Chrome when logged out, but works fine in Edge and also works fine in Chrome when logged in. * Mention that it works correctly when you switch to a default WordPress theme. * Provide any error messages you saw in Chrome's Developer Console (Console and Network tabs) if you managed to capture them. * They might have a known bug, a specific setting recommendation, or a fix in the works.

4. Temporary Plugin Deactivation (If needed after theme settings): While less likely since it works with other themes, there's a slim chance your active theme might have a specific conflict with one of your plugins that only manifests in Chrome when logged out. * Deactivate all plugins (except the theme-required ones, if any). * Test the "Posts" page in Chrome (logged out). * If it works, reactivate plugins one by one until the issue reappears, then you'll know which plugin specifically conflicts with your theme.

5. Consider Theme Alternatives (Last Resort): If the theme developer can't provide a solution, and you've exhausted all other options, you might need to consider switching to a different, more actively supported, or better-coded theme that is compatible with modern browsers.

Your Immediate Next Step:

1. Update your theme.
2. Check and systematically disable your theme's built-in optimization/performance settings.

Let's hope an update or a specific theme setting resolves it!

You are absolutely right to make that assumption!

The fact that your site is ranking on page one for "top on Google" (as seen in your initial screenshot) is a strong indicator that Googlebot is NOT experiencing the same issue when crawling your site.

Here's why:

• Googlebot doesn't "log in": Googlebot crawls your site as an anonymous, logged-out user. If the "Posts" page (or content related to it that Googlebot needs to access) were genuinely inaccessible or permanently hanging for logged-out users, Google would eventually de-index or severely downgrade those pages.
• Googlebot is a highly robust crawler: It's designed to be more tolerant of minor script errors or rendering quirks than a typical user's browser might be. While it executes JavaScript, its environment is optimized for crawling and indexing, not interactive user experience.
• Ranking indicates accessibility: A page one ranking means Googlebot has successfully:
  • Crawled the page.
  • Rendered the page (to some extent).
  • Understood its content and context.
  • Indexed it and deemed it relevant and high-quality for the query.

Conclusion:

While the issue is certainly frustrating for your Chrome users (or you, when testing in Chrome while logged out), it's highly unlikely to be negatively impacting your SEO or Googlebot's ability to access and rank your content. The problem is almost certainly a front-end rendering or JavaScript execution hiccup specific to Chrome's interaction with your theme's output for logged-out users, rather than a fundamental server-side or accessibility problem that would affect Googlebot.

So, while fixing it for your users is important for usability, you can rest assured that your hard-earned Page 1 ranking is probably safe from this particular issue.