Troubleshooting 101: Fixing Theme and Plugin Conflicts

If your website does not work as it is supposed to after a WordPress update, then chances are that there is a conflict between your theme and plugins. Most plugins load CSS stylesheets as well as Java script files and they may alter the functionality of your website, especially post an update.

And themes may be affected as well, in case of a conflict which can arise especially with the free ones. Here’s what you need to do in order to troubleshoot your plugin and theme conflicts.

The first thing, that you need to do before moving ahead with the steps listed below is to do a back up of all your core files. Once you have backed up all the important data, you can move on to the next few steps.

Troubleshooting 101: Fixing Theme and Plugin Conflicts

1. Deactivate the plugins:

You need to access your root directory; you can use your FTP and access the wp_core files, locate the plugin folder and deactivate them. Or you can just access your admin dashboard, and deactivate these plugins. Check and see if the issues have been resolved; if it has, then the issue was indeed one of your plugins.

2. Monitor issue and reactivate plugins:

Now, all that’s left for you to do is to reactivate the plugins one by one and reload your website. You need to repeat the process until the same issue crops up. Once it does, you would have located the plugin causing the issue and take action to resolve the same. You need to deactivate the plugin in question and your website should start functioning normally.

3. Theme conflicts:

If the issue persists despite deactivating the plugins, then you know that it is mostly on account of your theme. Theme conflicts are not that rare as you may think given the fact, most of these often originate with the free themes. The one easy way to check and see if your website issue is as a result of the theme you have in place, is to use the default theme.

Just head over to your admin dashboard and click on appearances. Now, choose themes and select a default theme such as twenty seventeen or any other that may be the default theme. And once you have reactivated it, see if the issue with your website repeats itself. If it does not, then the issues are with your old theme.

4. The best option on the table:

The best option to avoid any plugin or theme conflicts is to use premium themes and plugins. By opting for low paid ones, you run the risk of downgrading your website’s performance in the long run.

5. Contact the developers:

The first thing that you need to do when you come across a theme or plugin conflict issue is to let the developers know regarding the exact state of the problem.

It is important that you have to let them know regarding the exact problem that you are facing at the moment and the various steps that you had implemented with the idea of resolving it. They may already be familiar with the issue and may have a readymade solution.

So make a point of checking in with them, regarding the issue. Most of the Plugin and theme supports are quite fast, in responding and you will receive a communication from them at the earliest.

Reason for the conflict

6. Poor quality coding:

One of the reasons why a few Fixing Theme and Plugin Conflicts issues is on account of the poor coding structure. These themes and plugins can affect the functionality of the website itself.

Furthermore, before installing a theme or a plugin, you need to take a closer look at them and see if they are indeed compatible with the rest of the website. You can also check out the user rating as that will provide you with a good idea as to whether they are a good fit for you or not.

7. Compatibility:

At times, the themes or plugins may be incompatible with the latest version of WordPress. When that happen, you need to follow the steps listed above, and make the required changes in order to get your website functioning e

8. Plugin conflict between plugins:

At time, a plugin you had just installed may conflict with another plugin over the resources allocated to the same. This is why you must evaluate all the plugins installed on your website, before updating your WordPress website to the latest verison.

Tips :

1. Update plugins one by one:

When it comes to plugins,it makes sense to update each plugin one by one; some of the plugins may not be compatible with each other and updating them in bulk is bound to cause problems. And on the issue of updates, try not to update outdated plugins

2. Demo:

Here’s another way for you to Fixing Theme and Plugin Conflicts related issues on your website; try demoing the plugin first on a demo website. And if there are no issues reported, then you can go ahead and install the plugin on your website.

3. Debugging mode:

One of the best ways to resolve the issue is to have the debugging mode on. You need to turn error reporting on in your wp-config file. And to get the error code reported back, you need to add this code to the wp-config file, /*

With the steps listed above, you should be able to Fixing Theme and Plugin Conflicts related issues and in the process, make sure that your website continues to function perfectly. And should you come across any theme or plugin conflicts on your website, you can follow the steps listed above to resolve the same.

Just take note that most of the issues are often caused by free plugins and themes as a result of poor coding. That’s why it is always better to go for premium ones as opposed to free ones.

It does not mean that all the free theme or free plugins are coded poorly but some of them are and that’s why you need to carry out due diligene when installing a plugin or theme on your website.