If you’ve recently upgraded to v2.8, you may have noticed the visual editor is no longer working. You’re not alone. Here’s a few things to check that should get you up and running again.
1. A plugin that isn’t compatible. Solution #1: Try deactivating all your plugins. See if the visual editors is working after you do that. If so, re-activate your plugins one at a time, checking the visual editor after each one to make sure it’s still working. When it starts working after you re-activate a plugin, you’ll know that plugin is one of the culprits; however, continue checking as you re-activate, because more than one plugin could cause a problem.
2. Not all of the visual editor files were properly copied. Solution #2: You can log into your wp-admin go to Tools > Upgrade and click the Re-Install Automatically button. That may resolve the issue for you.
3. Network cache issue. Solution #3: This is the fix that worked for me personally; I added a line of coding to my wp-config.php file and that instantly resolved the problem for me when none of the above worked. Log into your site via FTP and download the wp-config.php file to your computer. Then open this file in Notepad or any html or text editor is fine.
Add this line of code:
define( ‘CONCATENATE_SCRIPTS’, false );
Find this line of text in your wp-config.php* file:
//Change each KEY to a different unique phrase…
and copy/paste the code above it and save. Then re-upload the wp-config.php file to your site, overwriting the one that’s there. That’s it.
One of the above three fixes should resolve this visual editor issue for you.
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*The wp-config.php file is located in the file where your main blog files are located. So if your blog is in a folder called /blog it’s right under that – if your blog is installed in the root, then it will be under the /public_html folder.
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About Traci Knoppe
Hi again Traci,
I haven’t had this problem but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time. Really great “how-to” post which will be appreciated by many I’m sure. I appreciate your valuable content. All the best.
Hi Bill! I hope you don’t have to use any of these fixes, but well – with technology, ya never know. Always good to be prepared.
Hi Traci,
I am having this problem — thanks for the post! I downloaded my wp-config.php file and it’s blank???
Upgrading didn’t work. Next for plugins….
Hi Karen – blank?! Oy. Gotta love technology, right. Is your site working at all? If so, then it can’t be blank, because it’s reading something. What are you using to view the wp-config.php file? Could be what you’re trying to view it isn’t reading it. Try opening it in Notepad and click All Files for the file type so it will open it. If that works, add the code above. If not…..
So you got your backup from before the upgrade, right? Open that, add the code above to it, then upload it and see if that doesn’t resolve it.
Okay, I feel pretty stupid. Was looking at with DW. It looks fine in WP
. Did you also know about this plugin solution: http://www.mguhlin.org/2009/06/wordpress-28-visual-editor-not-working.html?
I mean it looks fine in NP (Notepad).
I did a Find in the wp-config file for the phrase you described above:
//Change each KEY to a different unique phrase…
and it’s not in there.
I have seen that plugin, and that’s certainly an option. So if that works for you, then go for it! No right or wrong really, just do what works for you.
I tried it and it works, but don’t a lot of plugins slow down your site? I’d rather try to fix it with the wp-config or other solutions you mentioned. Did you see my wp-config post? I couldn’t find that phrase.
Thanks Traci!
Hi Traci, A question not about this issue if you don’t mind and, it may be a question with no answer. Here Goes, “How many plug-ins are too many plug-ins?’ Is it possible to have too many? Is my blog at risk over a certain amount? I think I have 17 with probably 3 disabled. Just your opinion. Appreciate it, Bill
The exact location where you put it isn’t really all that important, it just needs to go in between lines of code in that file. I had just chosen a spot in my wp-config.php file that looked open to make it easier to direct everyone to insert the code; but in reality, it can go anywhere.
So after the end of one line of code and before the start of another line, you can add this:
define( ‘CONCATENATE_SCRIPTS’, false );
In php, a line of code ends with a semi-colon ;
Hi Karen & Bill: yes, a lot of plugins can slow down your site: keyword is “can”. Depends on the plugins.
To answer your question on how many plugins is too many: when you have more than you need and are using, that’s too many.
I always advise never to install a plugin that you do not know what it’s used for and how to use it. So don’t go installing a bunch of plugins just because someone else has them, or because you think that someday you might use it. Bookmark it in your browser if you want, but don’t install it on your system!
Plugins are great and can expand the features and functions of WordPress, but they also require work and maintenance every time there’s an upgrade – that’s the downside to plugins. Best to work with only as many as you absolutely need. If you find you have a need, or encounter a plugin that you believe would benefit you or add a useful benefit to your site, then by all means, install it. Otherwise, leave it.
Also, if you are no longer using a plugin, download that plugin to your computer via FTP, so you have a backup copy of it, then delete it off your server. It will save any possible slow down, or drain on your system resources, that even a deactivated plugin could cause.
Thanks Traci….I uploaded the corrected file but it won’t overwrite the one on the server (this happens a lot) even though I’m choosing “overwrite”. I’m scared to delete the file from the server like it might ruin the site. Should I delete and then upload corrected file?
Help! Help! The blog is not working anymore since I tried uploading new config file!!!
Luckily I saved an original and just reuploaded it so it’s back but shows I definitely didn’t do it correctly.
Smart to have a backup! ALWAYS have a backup file!! Hard to say what went wrong. You could try the plugin option you found and see if that works for you. Might be easier.
The plugin is working…..however, when I saved the config file in NP, the formatting just totally went away. Could that have anything to do with it? I just did File > Save and the formatting was gone. Everything was in one paragraph and not line breaks.
Yes, in NotePad if you just click File > Save, it will by default save it as a txt file. You need to click Save As and choose to save it as a .php file to keep all the formatting from the original file.
Save as Type is All files?
Encoding? Is it ANSI?
Hi Karen – the coding should be UTF-8.
Got it. That didn’t work. Guess I have to use the plugin. Traci, I can’t say thank you enough for your help and quick assistance. You’re the best :0).
Oops….just got your UTF-8 comment. That made the formatting go away and after uploading, a parse error. Even when I tried saving as ANSI file, it kept the formatting but didn’t work.
Oh well, I’ll just use the plugin.
Thanks!
Hi Tracie,
Just to post the solution in case it helps someone else….what worked is renaming the plugins folder: http://codex.wordpress.org/FAQ_Troubleshooting#How_to_deactivate_all_plugins_when_not_able_to_access_the_administrative_menus.3F. I found the solution on this WP forum post: http://wordpress.org/support/topic/285957?replies=7#post-1142721.
Thanks again for all your help.
Thanks for posting the solution that worked for you Karen. This solution usually works for when you can’t log into your WP Dashboard and you are ‘locked out’, is this what happened to you?
That’s not what you were posting in the thread, is why I ask – so wasn’t sure if you encountered a new problem after your posts here.
But yes, this is good info to know for when you get locked out of your wp-admin, just rename the plugins folder.
No, that wasn’t my problem. It was the same problem: my visual editor wasn’t showing the icons (or the text) and renaming the plugins folder is what corrected it. I guess it’s strange, but so glad it worked. Someone on the WP forums suggested it.
Interesting!!… and odd. LOL WordPress can be unique in the fixes we need to do.
Did you by chance upgrade using the built-in auto upgrade with WordPress and not the wp automatic upgrade plugin? Because the built-in upgrade feature with WordPress does not deactivate the plugins before upgrading and that does cause issues, which is why I recommend the wp automatic upgrade plugin, because it does deactivate the plugins. Just curious if that could have been the catalyst for these issues and why the other fix didn’t work for you.
Hmmmm….interesting…..I’m not sure. I have the plugin installed and I usually use it. But, when an upgrade is ready, there are 2 links on top indicating that. Sometimes, I’m in a hurry and I just click one so not sure if one could have been the built-in upgrade feature.
That’s great to know!
Yep – need to make sure to click the one that says to Automatically upgrade…. the other link doesn’t say the word ‘Automatically’, that’s how you can tell the difference.
Thanks for pointing that out, Traci. Should be obvious, but when I’m hurried, I miss even simple things!
I spoke too soon! The Visual Editor is working for Admin but not for the other 2 Users (both “Editor” role). Still showing the white in text area and no toolbar. Strange….!!!! What could this be???
Gosh….so sorry Traci. Deleting the cache in browser worked and now all users are showing the visual editor.
Yay! I’m glad it’s finally all working for you Karen.
The concatenate_scripts setting worked like a charm! Thanks very much for figuring this out and posting about it!
.-= David Godot´s last blog ..Planning for the future =-.
I had the same problem and have tried everything. The solution came unexpectedly. The above solutions did not work for me but what worked was this: Edit your user profile; uncheck ‘Visual Editor’ and everything was back to normal. I had the tabs back and could click between the two. For others, checking it may be the option. It’s worth a try.
.-= John´s last blog ..Yahoo’s Earnings Report Fails To Inspire =-.
Geez! So glad I came across this post. I was messing with wordpress for hours trying to figure this freaking thing out.
I know that wordpress is fast with updates and stuff but I hate it when their are minor problems that can ruin your whole life lol.
Its very important for every blogging to back up your blogs to. Its a life save!
Thanks again!
.-= Home Typing Jobs´s last blog ..Honest Work from Home =-.
You are a god send! I have tried about a dozen things but had not come across your number 3 suggestion.
IT TOTALLY WORKED! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Thanks! Fix #3 worked for me! thanks!