WordPress has revolutionized website construction with its intuitive design and potent capabilities. One of its significant advancements is the introduction of the Block Editor (formerly known as Gutenberg), providing a more flexible and user-friendly content creation experience.
However, like all software, the Block Editor is not without its occasional glitches. I’ll share my personal journey in tackling some of the common WordPress Block Editor problems and provide workable solutions to help you fix them.
Common WordPress Block Editor Problems and How to Fix Them
1. Block Editor Not Loading
One of the most frustrating experiences I’ve had is when the Block Editor fails to load or takes an eternity to do so. This issue can severely hamper your workflow, making it challenging to create and modify content efficiently. Disabling unnecessary plugins is a common step in fixing WordPress Block Editor issues when using a virtual private server.
To resolve this problem, I took a few steps: Troubleshooting WordPress Block Editor issues systematically. Troubleshooting WordPress Block Editor issues systematically.
Disable Plugins: I started by temporarily disabling all unnecessary plugins to identify any conflicts, a common step in fixing WordPress Block Editor issues. If the Block Editor loaded correctly after disabling a specific plugin, I either looked for an alternative plugin or contacted the plugin developer for support.
Switch Themes: I switched to a default WordPress theme temporarily to see if the issue was theme-related and to check if the block editor works properly. If the Block Editor functioned properly with the default theme, I contacted my theme’s support team to resolve the conflict.
Clear Browser Cache: Sometimes, an outdated or excessive browser cache can affect the Block Editor’s loading speed. Clearing the cache helped me access the most up-to-date version of the editor, resolving the loading issues.
For more troubleshooting tips, read our guide on how to fix WordPress changes not showing.
2. Block Editor Keeps Crashing
Crashes can be particularly aggravating as they disrupt the creation and editing process. Several factors can cause these crashes, including plugin or theme incompatibilities, insufficient server resources, or outdated software versions. Ensuring I used the latest WordPress version and keeping all themes and plugins updated was crucial for optimal performance on cloud VPS hosting.
To tackle this, I took the following steps:
Update Everything: Ensuring I used the latest WordPress version and keeping all themes and plugins updated was crucial. Developers often release updates to fix bugs, improve stability, and ensure compatibility with the Block Editor.
Clear Browser Cache: Clearing cookies and cache from my web browser helped in loading a fresh copy of the editor, reducing the risk of crashes.
Try Different Browsers: Occasionally, browser-related issues impact the Block Editor’s stability. Trying a different browser helped me determine if the crashes were specific to my current browser.
3. Unexpected Formatting Changes
Unexpected formatting changes can be frustrating, disrupting the planned design or layout. These changes can include alterations to font family, size, color, alignment, or spacing. Keeping everything updated helped avoid conflicts and maintain consistent formatting on a Windows VPS server.
Here’s what I did to resolve this:
Update Themes and Plugins: Keeping everything updated helped avoid conflicts and maintain consistent formatting.
Check Block Settings: Some blocks offer customization options for fonts, colors, and other formatting features. Ensuring these settings were correctly aligned with my desired formatting was essential.
Use Custom CSS: For persistent issues, I applied custom CSS to override any conflicting styles and maintain consistent formatting.
Formatting issues might also relate to mixed content, as explained in our post on how to fix the WordPress mixed content warning.
4. Image Upload Issues
Image upload issues can be quite common, manifesting as slow upload speeds, failed uploads, or incorrectly displayed images within blocks. These can be caused by server configurations, file size restrictions, or plugin conflicts, leading to issues where the block editor may not work properly. “For more on resolving upload errors, see our guide on how to fix WordPress HTTP error.
Here’s how I tackled this problem:
Check File Size: I ensured that my image files were within the allowable size limits set by my server or hosting provider. If necessary, I optimized or resized images before uploading.
Review Server Configuration: Sometimes, server settings such as low PHP memory limits or restrictive file upload settings can impact image uploads. Consulting with my hosting provider helped ensure the server configuration was optimized.
5. Missed Schedule Post Error
The “missed schedule post” error occurs when scheduled posts fail to publish at the specified time. This can disrupt the timely delivery of content.
To address this:
Verify Timezone Settings: I ensured my WordPress site’s timezone settings were accurate, matching my desired publishing time. This can be checked and updated in the WordPress admin area under Settings > General.
Use Scheduling Plugins to ensure that the block editor works properly: When the built-in WordPress scheduling system was unreliable, I used third-party scheduling plugins designed to handle scheduled posts more effectively.
6. Block Editor Alignment Issue
Alignment issues can disrupt the visual presentation of content, making it appear out of place or inconsistent. These can be caused by theme or plugin conflicts, incorrect block settings, or CSS inconsistencies.
To resolve this:
Update Themes and Plugins: Ensuring everything was up-to-date helped resolve potential conflicts.
Review Block Settings: I checked the specific block settings and options in the Block Editor to ensure correct alignment.
Inspect CSS Styles: Using browser developer tools, I examined the CSS styles attached to the blocks to identify and resolve any alignment issues, which are common in the Gutenberg Block Editor.
7. Removed Spaces Reappear Error
The “removed spaces reappear” error occurs when added spaces or formatting between blocks either disappear or reappear improperly after saving or updating content.
Here’s how I fixed it:
Adjust Block Settings in the WordPress Dashboard: I checked for formatting or spacing options in the block settings and adjusted them as needed to prevent issues with the block editor not working.
Inspect HTML Structure: Sometimes, the HTML structure affects the appearance of spaces. Using the HTML editor, I ensured the proper tags and formatting were in place.
Resolve Plugin Conflicts: Deactivating plugins one by one helped identify if any were causing the issue.
8. HTTP Image Upload Issue
The HTTP image upload issue arises when an image upload fails, displaying an HTTP error message. This can be due to server configurations, file size restrictions, or security plugin conflicts, which can lead to WordPress Block Editor issues.
Here’s what I did to troubleshoot why the block editor may not work properly:
Optimize Image File Size: Ensuring my images were within the allowable file size limits set by my server or hosting provider was crucial.
Review Server Configuration: Consulting with my hosting provider helped ensure the server configuration was optimized for image uploads.
Troubleshoot Security Plugins: Temporarily disabling security plugins helped determine if they were causing the HTTP error. If so, I adjusted their settings or contacted the plugin developer for support.
9. Invalid JSON Error
The “Invalid JSON” error indicates trouble with the JSON data sent to or received from the server, and may suggest the WordPress Block Editor not working correctly. This can be due to syntax errors, plugin or theme conflicts, or server configuration issues.
Here’s how I addressed it: Encountering WordPress Block Editor issues required a methodical approach.
Check for Plugin and Theme Conflicts: Deactivating recently installed plugins or themes one by one helped identify any conflicts causing the error.
Clear Browser Cache: Clearing cookies and cache from my web browser helped ensure a fresh copy of the editor, reducing the risk of JSON errors, which may occur if the block editor is not working properly; periodically clearing the WordPress cache can also prevent such issues.
Inspect Code for Syntax Issues: especially within custom blocks, as a block has encountered an error sometimes due to misconfigurations. Reviewing the code for any syntax errors or misconfigurations helped resolve the issue and fix this issue.
10. Publishing Failed Error
The “Publishing Failed” error occurs when publishing or updating posts or pages, which can be a sign of the WordPress Block Editor not working properly; this error may stem from server or plugin issues.
This can be due to plugin or theme conflicts, server-related issues, or database problems, and may result in the WordPress Block Editor or visual editor not working.
To fix this:
Ensure Stable Internet Connection: A stable connection is essential for successful publishing. I ensured my network was connected properly.
Review Plugin and Theme Conflicts to solve problems with the block editor not working: Deactivating plugins and switching themes helped identify if any were causing the issue.
Check Server Resources and Configuration: Consulting with my hosting provider helped ensure the server had adequate resources and proper configuration, meeting the WordPress memory limit.
Repair WordPress Database to resolve underlying issues causing the WordPress Block Editor not working. Using built-in tools or a dedicated plugin for database maintenance and repair helped resolve any database-related issues, recommended by several WordPress plugins.
11. Social Media-Related Error
Social media-related errors occur when integrating social media features or plugins into a WordPress website. These can manifest as difficulties sharing content, broken links or icons, or incorrect social media feed display, which may indicate a WordPress Block Editor issue.
Here’s what I did:
Update Social Media Plugins: Keeping all social media plugins and widgets up-to-date helped ensure proper integration with social media platforms.
Review Settings: Ensuring correct configuration of social media plugins or widgets helped resolve the issue.
Resolve Plugin Conflicts: Deactivating plugins one by one helped identify any causing the error.
12. Embedded Content Preview Not Visible
The “Embedded Content Preview Not Visible” error occurs when attempting to embed external content such as videos or social media posts into posts or pages.
To fix this, I:
Check Embed Codes: Ensuring the embed codes were correct and error-free was essential.
Resolve Plugin Conflicts: Deactivating plugins one by one helped identify any causing the issue.
Update Content Providers: Checking for updates from content providers helped ensure compatibility with the Block Editor.
Clear Browser Cache: Clearing cookies and cache from my web browser helped ensure proper display of embedded content, especially when using the WordPress content editor.
Conclusion
The WordPress Block Editor offers tremendous possibilities for creating engaging and visually appealing content. However, encountering problems along the way is not uncommon. By keeping your WordPress installation, themes, and plugins up to date, regularly backing up your website, and seeking assistance from the WordPress community or developers when needed, you can tackle any challenges that arise.
