WordPress Publish Button Not Working: Causes and Solutions

WordPress Publish Button Not Working: WordPress is a powerful platform that makes it simple for users to build and maintain websites. Like any other platform, WordPress is not immune to technological issues. The Publish button not functioning is one frequent problem that customers run across.

This issue can be very annoying, particularly if you’re attempting to publish content that is time-sensitive. Within this piece, we will delve into the possible causes of the WordPress publish button’s malfunction and examine detailed fixes to fix the problem.

Recognizing the Problem with the Publish Button

It is important to know what happens when the publish button doesn’t work before digging into particular problems. When consumers click Publish, they typically get an error message, a never-ending loading wheel, or no response at all. The inability to update or publish new posts is the outcome.

There are a number of potential causes for this problem, from straightforward browser-related difficulties to more complicated plugin incompatibilities or server problems. You can locate and fix the problem to get your website back on track by methodically attending to each possible cause.

Typical Reasons Why WordPress Publish Button Not Working

1. Issues with Browsers

A browser problem is one of the easiest explanations for the WordPress publish button not working. WordPress operations may be hampered by cached data, out-of-date browser versions, or particular browser preferences.

Solution:

Delete the cache in your browser: WordPress conflicts can occasionally be brought on by cached files. Try clearing your cache to see if that fixes the problem.

Make use of an updated browser: Make sure your web browser is up to date because older versions might not support WordPress’s more recent features.

Try using a different web browser: If you want to find out if the issue is peculiar to a particular browser, you can try switching to another one (like Firefox from Chrome).

2. Conflicts with Plugins

Plugins for WordPress increase functionality, but there is a risk of conflict. The WordPress editor may be interfered with by some plugins, making it impossible for the publish button to function as intended.

Solution:

Turn off all plugins: Turn off all of your plugins for the time being and see if the publish button functions. If it occurs, disable and then enable each plugin again to find the offending one.

Revise your plugins: An out-of-date plugin may occasionally cause problems. Verify that all of your plugins are current.

Verify compatibility: Make sure the plugins you have are compatible with the WordPress version you are using.

3. Theme Inconsistencies

WordPress themes have the same potential to cause problems with the editor as plugins. WordPress core functionalities may not work with an old or badly built theme.

Solution:

Change to the default theme: To check if the publish button starts functioning, temporarily switch to Twenty Twenty-One, the default WordPress theme. If so, the issue could be with your theme.

Revise your theme: Verify whether your current theme has an update available, as updates frequently address compatibility problems and glitches.

4. Updates for WordPress Core

Using an out-of-date version of WordPress may result in issues with functionality, such as the publish button not functioning. Enhanced functionality, increased security, and bug fixes are usually included with every WordPress update.

Solution:

Update WordPress: Verify that you have the most recent version of WordPress installed. Make a backup of your website and update to the most recent version if there is one available.

5. Errors in JavaScript

JavaScript plays a major role in the interface of WordPress, particularly in the block editor (Gutenberg). If the page contains any JavaScript problems, they may interfere with the publish button’s ability to work.

Solution:

Check for JavaScript issues: To look for any JavaScript faults, utilize the developer tools in your browser. Check for any problems that might point to an issue by opening the console in your browser (F12 or right-click → Inspect → Console).

Disable conflicting scripts: Try turning off any custom scripts or plugins that might be generating conflicts if you discover JavaScript issues.

6. Memory Cap Problems

For WordPress to operate correctly, a specific amount of memory is needed. Your website may cease functioning if the RAM limit is exceeded, including the publish button and other features.

Solution:

Boost memory limit: By making changes to the wp-config.php file, you can raise the PHP memory limit. Include the subsequent code line:

To raise the memory limit to 256MB, define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT, ‘256M’).

7. Roles and Permissions for Users

Your user role or permissions may be the cause of your inability to publish. Plugin conflicts or inadvertent changes to user roles can occasionally keep you from publishing information.

Solution:

Verify the user’s permissions: Check your user role by going to the Users section of your WordPress dashboard. Make sure you have all the authorizations required in order to post material. Editors and administrators need to have complete publication rights.

Employ a plugin to control roles: You can modify permissions using plugins like “User Role Editor” if there is a problem with user roles.

8. Issues with the Server

The problem can occasionally have something to do with the server that houses your WordPress website. WordPress may not operate as intended due to server overloads, low PHP limits, or hosting errors.

Solution:

Speak with your hosting company: Get in touch with your site host to see if there are any server-related problems, like PHP timeouts or limitations.

Examine the server logs: Examine the server logs for any faults or problems that might be causing the publish button to stop working.

PHP maximum execution time increase: Alternatively, you may try extending PHP’s maximum execution time in your php.ini file. Increase the time by, say, 300 seconds.

Complex Troubleshooting Procedures

If the more straightforward fixes don’t work, you might have to use more sophisticated troubleshooting techniques.

1. Reinstall the core files for WordPress

Occasionally, WordPress core files may become corrupted, leading to odd problems such as the inability to use the publish button.

Solution:

Reinstall the core WordPress files by selecting “Reinstall Now” under Dashboard → Updates. Reinstalling the core WordPress files will accomplish this without modifying any of your settings or content.

2. Employ the Outdated Editor

You can try using the Classic Editor to see whether the issue still exists if you’re using the Gutenberg block editor and the publish button isn’t functioning.

Solution:

Activate the “Classic Editor” plugin after installing it. If the Classic Editor’s publish button functions well, there might be a problem with Gutenberg.

3. The Debugging Mode

WordPress debug mode can be enabled to assist you in locating particular problems that are causing the problem.

Solution:

Add the following lines to your wp-config.php file to activate debug mode:

       ('WP_DEBUG', true);
       ('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
    

This will generate a debug log file that you may inspect in the wp-content folder if any errors are occurring.

Optimal Procedures to Prevent Future Problems

Once the publish button issue has been fixed, it’s critical to adhere to best practices to avoid future occurrences of the same issues:

Update WordPress frequently: This guarantees compatibility and lowers the possibility of errors by keeping the WordPress core, themes, and plugins up to date.

Make regular backups of your website: In order to make sure you always have a backup of your website in case something goes wrong, use plugins like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy.

Installing only necessary plugins will help limit the number of plugin conflicts. Activate and remove any plugins that are not in use.

Test new plugins and themes: To prevent problems, test new plugins and themes in a staging environment before deploying them on your production website. 

Monitor site performance: Track the health of your website and get notifications when something goes wrong with New Relic or Pingdom, two monitoring tools that can help you keep an eye on site performance.

Conclusion: WordPress Publish Button Not Working

It can be really annoying when the WordPress publish button not working, particularly if you want to publish new content as soon as possible. Fortunately, with a little troubleshooting, this problem is usually fixable. You may get your site working again by figuring out typical causes, including conflicts with plugins, server issues, or browser issues, and then implementing the necessary fixes.

You may reduce the likelihood of encountering problems similar to this in the future by continuing to be proactive with upgrades, backups, and testing. WordPress is a strong platform, but frequent upkeep and attention to detail are necessary to keep a website functioning well.

It could be worthwhile to contact a WordPress developer or your hosting company for more assistance if your problems persist even after trying these fixes.

FAQs

Q1. Why is WordPress not letting me publish?

If WordPress isn’t letting you publish, it’s often due to a permissions issue, plugin conflict, or internet connection problem. Check if you’re logged in with the right user role, disable plugins one by one to see if any are causing issues, and ensure your internet connection is stable. Sometimes, even a simple page refresh can fix the issue.

Q2. Why can’t I see the publish button on WordPress?

Not seeing the publish button can be frustrating! This could happen if you’re working on a draft but haven’t saved it properly, or you’re in the wrong user mode (like a contributor, who can’t publish directly). Try switching to another browser or clearing your cache. If the issue persists, check your WordPress role settings or theme customizations that might be affecting the editor.

Q3. How do I fix WordPress Publishing failed?

If you get a “Publishing failed” error, it’s likely related to your website’s connection to the WordPress server. First, refresh the page and try again. If that doesn’t work, check if your site’s REST API is enabled, as it’s needed for publishing. You can also deactivate recent plugins or update your permalinks. Another common fix is increasing your site’s memory limit through your hosting panel.

Q4. How do you click publish on WordPress?

Publishing is pretty straightforward in WordPress. Once you’re done creating your content, look on the right-hand side of the editor. There should be a button that says “Publish” or “Update.” Simply click it, and your post goes live! If you don’t see it, you might need to save your draft first or check for user role limitations.

Q5. Why is the upload theme button not working in WordPress?

If the upload theme button isn’t working, it could be a permissions issue with your server or a conflict with a plugin. Try deactivating any theme-related plugins and retrying. Also, ensure your PHP version is up to date, and check if your hosting provider allows theme uploads, as some restricted plans might prevent it. If all else fails, you can manually upload the theme using an FTP client.