How to Fix: Updating Failed. The Response is not a Valid JSON Response

Are you having trouble updating a post in WordPress and receiving an error message “Updating failed. The response is not a valid JSON response”?

This can be a frustrating issue to deal with, but fortunately, there are a number of steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve it. In this tutorial, we will go over some of the most common causes of this error and provide step-by-step instructions on how to fix them. Whether it’s a plugin conflict, a theme issue, or a problem with the server configuration, we’ve got you covered. So, let’s get started and get your post updated in no time.

What can Cause The Problem in WordPress?

There are several factors that can prevent WordPress from updating a post due to an “invalid JSON response” error. Some of the most common causes include:

1. Plugin conflicts: If you have multiple plugins installed, they may conflict with each other and prevent the post update from working properly. Deactivating all plugins and then reactivating them one by one can help you identify the plugin that is causing the problem.
2. Theme issues: If you’re using a custom theme, it may be causing conflicts with the update process. Try switching to a default WordPress theme to see if the issue persists.
3. Server configuration: If your server is not configured properly, it may not be able to handle the update request properly. This could be caused by issues such as incorrect PHP or MySQL settings, or a lack of sufficient resources.
4. Outdated software: If your WordPress installation, plugins or themes are not up to date, it can cause compatibility issues with the JSON response.
5. Permission issues: If the WordPress files do not have the correct permissions, it can prevent the update from working properly.
6. Corrupted files: Corrupted files in your WordPress installation can also prevent updates from working properly.
7. Network issues: If there is any issue with the network, it can cause the update request to fail and return an invalid JSON response.
8. PHP version: If the version of PHP on your server is incompatible with your version of WordPress, it can cause issues with the JSON response.
9. JSON extension: If the JSON extension for PHP is not installed or not enabled, it can cause issues with the JSON response.

These are some of the most common causes of the “invalid JSON response” error when updating a post in WordPress. By troubleshooting and eliminating these factors, you should be able to resolve the issue and update your post successfully.

How To Fix “Updating Failed. The Response is not a Valid JSON Response”?

This error message typically indicates that there is an issue with the server’s response to the update request. This could be caused by a number of things, such as a plugin conflict, a theme issue, or a problem with the server configuration. Here are a few things you can try to troubleshoot the issue:

1. Deactivate all plugins and then reactivate them one by one to see if one of them is causing the problem.
2. Switch to the default WordPress theme (like Twenty Twenty) and see if the issue persists.
3. Check your server’s error logs for any messages related to the update request.
4. Check your browser’s developer console for any errors or issues.
5. Try disabling your browser’s cache and cookies, or try using a different browser.
6. Check if your server meets the minimum requirements for running WordPress.
7. Check if your PHP version on the server is compatible with your version of WordPress.

If none of these steps help, you may need to contact your hosting provider or a WordPress developer for further assistance.

Fixing Manually

Now you are probably thinking, I will just add some code here and there and tweak the problem (assuming all other options fail).

There is no specific code that can be added to the WordPress files to fix the “Updating failed. The response is not a valid JSON response” error, as the cause of the issue can vary.

The problem could be caused by a plugin conflict, a theme issue, a server configuration problem, or any other number of things.

Instead of adding any code, the best way to troubleshoot and fix the issue is to try different methods of resolving the problem, such as deactivating all plugins and then reactivating them one by one, switching to a default WordPress theme, checking the server’s error logs, browser’s developer console, disabling cache and cookies, checking server’s minimum requirements for running WordPress, PHP version compatibility and so on.

If none of these steps help, you may need to contact your hosting provider or a WordPress developer for further assistance. They will be able to check your server and WordPress configuration and provide further guidance on how to fix the issue.

It’s important to note that modifying core WordPress files or adding code without proper knowledge can lead to further issues and even break your website. It’s always recommended to backup your website before making any changes and test them on a development environment first.