How to fix invalid JSON response error in WordPress

The “Updating failed. The response is not a valid JSON response” error often occurs when the WordPress editor fails to obtain a legitimate response from the server, stopping you from saving or publishing modifications.

The problem happens most frequently when updating your web site content material, and might be irritating should you don’t know the way to take care of it.

On this information, you’ll study the frequent causes of this error and the step-by-step options to fix it. By the tip, your WordPress website will operate as all the time, and your content material updates can be utilized correctly.

Obtain complete JSON cheat sheet

What causes the invalid JSON response error

The invalid JSON response error seems when WordPress tries to talk with the server, anticipating a legitimate response, however receives an invalid or surprising one.

JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) is a knowledge format that transmits info between the browser and the server. This error interrupts the communication course of, main to points with saving or updating content material.

Figuring out the foundation explanation for this JSON error is important to making use of the right fix. Listed here are some frequent causes:

• Incorrect website URL settings. Mismatched WordPress website tackle settings can disrupt JSON responses.
• Plugin conflicts. Incompatible or poorly coded WordPress plugins might intrude with the JSON response.
• Server configuration points. Server-side issues or inadequate assets can lead to this error.
• SSL/blended content material issues. Blended content material from HTTP and HTTPS components can stop correct JSON communication.
• Permalink construction points. Improper permalink settings can have an effect on how URLs are dealt with, inflicting JSON errors.

Methods to troubleshoot the invalid JSON response error

Listed here are the sensible troubleshooting steps to determine and fix the invalid JSON response error. We recommend beginning with the primary methodology and transferring to the subsequent if the difficulty persists.

Verify your website’s permalink settings

In WordPress, permalinks are the everlasting URLs to your posts, pages, and different website content material. They outline how your URLs are structured and displayed in the browser.

Improper permalink settings can disrupt your web site’s URL construction, main to WordPress errors just like the invalid JSON response. Listed here are the directions to verify and proper your website’s permalinks:

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Within the left sidebar, go to Settings → Permalinks.
3. Choose a legitimate permalink construction, reminiscent of Publish title.

4. Even should you make no changes, click on Save Modifications to refresh your permalink settings.
5. Attempt updating or publishing your content material once more to see if the error is resolved.

Verify your WordPress website tackle

Incorrect website URL settings also can trigger the JSON error in your WordPress web site. This concern happens when the WordPress Tackle (URL) and Website Tackle (URL) don’t match or are mistakenly configured.

A typical trigger is while you’ve not too long ago modified your WordPress area tackle however didn’t replace each fields. This mismatch blocks the editor from receiving a legitimate JSON response, ensuing in the error.

Observe these steps to confirm your WordPress website tackle:

1. Entry your dashboard and navigate to Settings → Common.
2. Make sure the WordPress Tackle (URL) and Website Tackle (URL) fields match your web site’s area. They need to additionally use the identical protocol, both HTTP or HTTPS.

3. Click on Save Modifications to apply the corrections.

Deactivate plugins to detect compatibility points

Plugin conflicts generally trigger surprising errors in WordPress, together with the invalid JSON response. A poorly coded plugin or incompatible along with your present WordPress model might stop the editor from speaking with the server correctly.

Deactivating your plugins will help you determine if one in all them is inflicting the issue. Right here’s how to do it:

1. Out of your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins → Put in Plugins.
2. Choose all plugins, select Deactivate from the Bulk actions dropdown menu, and click on Apply.

3. Replace or publish content material in the editor once more to verify if the JSON error persists.
4. If the error is resolved, reactivate every plugin individually and take a look at the location after every activation to determine the wrongdoer.
5. After figuring out the problematic plugin, replace it to the most recent model, discover another, or contact the plugin’s developer for help.

Create a brand new .htaccess file

.htaccess is a configuration file net servers use to handle numerous settings, reminiscent of redirects, entry management, and WordPress permalinks. A corrupted .htaccess file can intrude with WordPress functionalities, main to an invalid JSON response error.

Creating a brand new .htaccess file will help resolve the difficulty by resetting your website’s configuration settings. To do that, entry your web site’s root folder by way of an FTP shopper like FileZilla or your internet hosting supplier’s file supervisor.

In the event you host your WordPress website on Hostinger, listed here are the steps:

1. Log in to hPanel along with your Hostinger account and go to Web sites → Dashboard.
2. Click on File supervisor or navigate to Information → File Supervisor by way of the dashboard’s left sidebar.

3. Double-click the public_html listing to open it.
4. Proper-click .htaccess and choose Rename. Edit it to one thing like .htaccess_old to again it up.

5. Go to your WordPress dashboard and entry Settings → Permalinks.
6. Click on Save Modifications to generate a brand new .htaccess file with default settings robotically.

Fix any WordPress blended content material error

Blended content material happens when a web site masses HTTP and HTTPS components, which may trigger points with safety and performance.

In WordPress, blended content material can disrupt the editor and server communication as a result of browsers block non-secure requests on a supposedly safe web page. Fixing blended content material ensures all components are loaded securely, resolving potential JSON errors.

Right here’s the information:

1. Set up a plugin like Actually Easy SSL or Higher Search Exchange. These plugins can detect blended content material warnings in your database and convert HTTP URLs to HTTPS.

2. Evaluate your theme information, widgets, photographs, and different content material areas for hard-coded HTTP hyperlinks and manually replace them to HTTPS.
3. Clear your WordPress cache utilizing a caching plugin to guarantee the brand new settings are utilized accurately. Alternatively, for Hostinger’s WordPress internet hosting prospects, go to Dashboard → WordPress → Overview and hit Flush Cache.

View the REST API debug log

The WordPress REST API permits the editor to talk with the server and carry out duties like saving and publishing content material. If the REST API is blocked or malfunctioning, the editor can’t obtain a legitimate JSON response.

Checking the REST API debug log helps you determine any underlying points inflicting this error. Observe the directions beneath to view the debug log:

1. Entry your WordPress website’s root listing by way of FTP or your internet hosting supplier’s file supervisor.
2. Open the wp-config.php file and add the next code snippets earlier than the “That’s all, stop editing! Happy publishing!” line to allow debugging and logging:

outline('WP_DEBUG', true);

outline(‘WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);

outline(‘WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false);

As soon as carried out, save your modifications.

3. Go to your WordPress editor and take a look at updating content material to set off the error and generate log entries.
4. Entry the wp-content listing in your website’s root folder. Then, discover the debug.log file and open it to view the log entries.

5. Search for entries associated to the REST API in this file. These might present clues about what’s inflicting the JSON error, reminiscent of SSL certificates issues, server configuration points, or blocked requests.

Quickly disable the safety firewall

Firewalls defend your WordPress web site from malicious assaults by blocking suspicious requests. Nonetheless, they might additionally block legit requests from the WordPress editor for safety causes, inflicting errors just like the invalid JSON response.

Quickly disabling your safety firewall can decide if it’s the supply of the difficulty. Observe these steps:

1. In the event you use a firewall plugin like Wordfence, Sucuri, or iThemes Safety, deactivate it quickly.
2. Customers with an online software firewall (WAF) like Cloudflare or AWS WAF can entry the WAF web site, open the settings, and quickly disable or set it to “Learning Mode.”
3. In case your internet hosting supplier has server-level firewalls, entry the management panel and switch them off.
4. Return to your WordPress editor and take a look at saving or publishing the content material. If the error has been resolved, you’ve recognized the firewall because the trigger.
5. Re-enable the firewall and alter its settings to permit legitimate requests with out blocking them. In the event you need assistance with what to do, contact your plugin, WAF, or internet hosting supplier’s help staff for help.

Alternative routes to get across the invalid JSON response error

Whereas engaged on resolving the invalid JSON response error, there are momentary options to proceed updating your content material with out interruptions. These strategies assist bypass the issue, offering a workaround till you apply a everlasting fix.

Use the Traditional Editor plugin

Because the title suggests, the Traditional Editor plugin permits you to use the earlier basic editor. It’s much less reliant on the WordPress REST API and will help keep away from points with the block editor. Right here’s how:

1. In your dashboard, go to Plugins → Add New.
2. Seek for the Traditional Editor plugin, set up it, and click on Activate.

3. As soon as activated, it is going to change the WordPress block editor. Attempt enhancing your content material once more to see if the difficulty is fastened.

Add media information straight

If the JSON error happens when importing photographs or information in the block editor, you possibly can add media straight by the media library as a brief answer:

1. Navigate to Media → Add New.
2. Add your information right here, then insert them into your posts or pages.

Conclusion

The WordPress invalid JSON response error can come up from a number of points, reminiscent of incorrect URL settings, plugin conflicts, or server configuration issues.

This text has supplied a number of troubleshooting steps, from checking permalinks and disabling plugins to fixing blended content material and viewing the REST API debug log. Implement these options methodically to determine the foundation trigger and resolve this WordPress JSON error.

If the issue persists, contemplate contacting a WordPress skilled for additional help. Ought to you have got any questions or suggestions for fixing this concern, please use the remark field beneath.

Updating failed. The response will not be a legitimate JSON response error FAQ

What's the JSON response in WordPress?

A JSON response in WordPress is knowledge exchanged between the server and browser, significantly in the editor. WordPress makes use of JSON to talk by way of the REST API for duties like saving and publishing content material.

How do I deal with the JSON response error?

To deal with the JSON response error, verify URL settings, permalinks, plugins, and server configurations. Then, comply with troubleshooting steps like deactivating plugins, reviewing the REST API debug log, and adjusting safety settings to resolve the difficulty.

How do I verify if JSON is legitimate or not?

To verify if JSON is legitimate, use on-line instruments like JSONLint or browser developer instruments like Google Chrome’s Community tab. Copy the JSON response, paste it into the device, and validate. The device will spotlight errors in the JSON construction for correction.

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