Encountering the ‘Invalid JSON’ error in WordPress can be a frustrating interruption during your work. It’s more than just an error message; it disrupts your entire workflow.
At CanadaCreate, we’ve seen this issue on various client websites. For many newcomers, it may seem puzzling, but resolving this error is actually quite simple.
This guide aims to help you quickly get back on track without overwhelming technical terms. Let’s tackle this error and restore your peace of mind.
What Triggers the ‘Not a Valid JSON Response’ Error in WordPress?
The ‘Not a valid JSON response’ error in WordPress occurs when the expected response from the server is not received.
Essentially, WordPress needs to interact with the server while you edit a blog post. It depends on receiving responses from the web hosting server in the background, typically in JSON format, which facilitates fast data transfer via JavaScript.
If WordPress fails to receive the response or if the response is not formatted as JSON, you will encounter the ‘Not a valid JSON response’ error.
This error can arise for several reasons, but the most common culprits are incorrect URL settings in WordPress or broken permalinks.
In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to resolve the invalid JSON error in WordPress effortlessly. Use the quick links below to navigate to the various methods.
- Method 1: Verify WordPress URLs in Settings
- Method 2: Correct WordPress Permalink Structure
- Method 3: Regenerate the WordPress .htaccess File
- Method 4: Access the REST API Debug Log
- Method 5: Disable All WordPress Plugins
- Method 6: Temporarily Switch to the Classic Editor
- Method 7: Change to a Default WordPress Theme
- Method 8: Temporarily Disable Your Website’s Application Firewall
- Method 9: Enable Debugging in WordPress
- Method 10: Check for Mixed Content Errors
- Final Step: Seek Professional Assistance
- Common Questions
- Discover More WordPress Troubleshooting Resources
Important:Please create a complete backup of your WordPress site before making any significant changes. This ensures you can easily restore your site to its previous state if needed.
Are you ready? Let’s begin!
Method 1: Verify WordPress URLs in Settings
First, ensure that your WordPress Address and Site Address settings are accurate.
Simply navigate to Settings » Generalpage. Here, you should check the ‘WordPress Address (URL)’ and ‘Site Address (URL)’ fields.
For most websites, both fields should contain the same URL.
However, some WordPress users may have installed WordPress in its own directory and serve the site from a different address. In such cases, different URLs can be used here.
If your Site Address is incorrect, it will lead to an invalid JSON error in WordPress.
If you have made any changes to the settings, remember to click the ‘Save Changes’ button. You can then edit a blog post to see if adding new blocks or saving the post triggers the ‘Not valid JSON response’ error.
If the error persists, keep reading.
Option 2: Fix the WordPress Permalink Structure
WordPress features an SEO-friendly URL structure that enables the use of human-readable URLs for your posts and pages.
However, sometimes users may accidentally alter the permalink settings, making it impossible for the WordPress block editor to receive a valid JSON response, resulting in the error.
To resolve this, simply navigate to the Settings » Permalinks page. Here, you should carefully review the permalink options.
If you’re uncertain about your current settings, simply choose one of the default formats.
Next, click the ‘Save Changes’ button to apply your settings.
Now, try editing a blog post or page to check if the error has been resolved. If it persists, proceed to the next step.
Option 3: Regenerate the WordPress .htaccess File
The .htaccess file in WordPress serves as a configuration file for managing SEO-friendly URLs (permalinks).
Typically, WordPress can automatically regenerate and update this file. You can also initiate this update by clicking the ‘Save Changes’ button at the bottom of theSettings » Permalinkspage.
However, there are times when it may not update correctly or may contain incorrect settings. This can impact your WordPress permalinks and potentially lead to an invalid JSON response error.
To resolve this issue, connect to your website using an FTP client or the file manager available in your WordPress hosting account dashboard.
Once connected, locate the .htaccess file in the root directory of your website and download it as a backup to your computer.
Expert Tip:If you can’t find the.htaccess filefile? You can check out this brief article on how to locate the .htaccess file.
Next, you will need to modify the .htaccess file using an FTP client or the file manager tool.
Once the file is open, delete all the existing code and replace it with the following code:
# BEGIN WordPress
RewriteEngine On
RewriteRule .* - [E=HTTP_AUTHORIZATION:%{HTTP:Authorization}]
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index.php$ - [L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule . /index.php [L]
# END WordPress
Remember to save your changes and re-upload the file to your website.
You can now visit your website and edit your post or page to check if the invalid JSON response error still occurs.
If the error persists, there are additional steps you can take.
Option 4. Check the REST API Debug Log
The invalid JSON response error might indicate that the WordPress REST API on your site has encountered an issue.
The REST API is the collection of methods WordPress uses to interact with the web server while you work on your site.
You can find more information about this error in the ‘WordPress Site Health’ tool. Just go to the Tools » Site Health section.
Here, you might see a notification stating ‘The REST API encountered an unexpected result’.
Clicking on this notification will provide additional details that may help identify which plugin or third-party service is responsible for the issue.
If this information doesn’t help, you can proceed to the next step.
Step 5: Deactivate All WordPress Plugins
Sometimes, WordPress plugins can conflict with one another or with the core WordPress software, leading to unexpected issues and potentially causing the invalid JSON error.
To deactivate your plugins, navigate to the Plugins » Installed Plugins page. Select all your WordPress plugins and choose ‘Deactivate’ from the ‘Bulk Actions’ drop-down menu. Then, click the ‘Apply’ button to proceed.
WordPress will deactivate all the plugins you have installed.
You can now attempt to reproduce the error. If the error is resolved, it indicates that one of the plugins on your site was the source of the problem.
To identify the problematic plugin, activate each one individually and attempt to recreate the error. Continue this process until you pinpoint the issue.
Once you’ve identified the plugin causing the issue, you can contact the plugin developer for assistance or consider using a different plugin.
Option 6: Temporarily Switch to the Classic Editor
Another option is to temporarily revert to the Classic Editor for WordPress.
This previous version of the WordPress editor features a more straightforward text editor and does not heavily depend on the REST API for JSON responses.
To use the Classic Editor, you’ll need to install and activate the Classic Editor plugin. For detailed instructions, refer to our step-by-step guide on installing a WordPress plugin.
The plugin functions immediately upon activation and will deactivate the Gutenberg editor.
Alternatively, you can utilize WPCode to safely disable the Gutenberg editor and enable the Classic Editor. It is the simplest and safest plugin for adding code snippets in WordPress.
Feel free to consult this guide to learn how to disable Gutenberg using WPCode.
You can now proceed with your website work and return to troubleshooting at a later time.
Option 7: Switch to a Default WordPress Theme
Third-party WordPress themes can occasionally create conflicts with the WordPress core or other plugins, particularly if they are poorly coded or not regularly updated. These conflicts may manifest as invalid JSON errors.
Switching to a default theme effectively removes any custom code or features added by your current theme.
This process helps determine if the issue is caused by the theme itself or another aspect of your WordPress configuration.
To proceed, navigate to Appearance » Themes in your WordPress dashboard. Locate a default theme such as Twenty Twenty-Four or Twenty Twenty-Three and click ‘Activate.’
Option 8.Temporarily Disable Your Website Application Firewall
If you are using a WordPress firewall like Cloudflare, Sucuri, or a plugin, it may occasionally block legitimate requests.
The simplest way to identify this issue is to temporarily disable your WordPress firewall plugin or service.
Some application-level WordPress firewalls can be turned off by simply deactivating the plugin. For DNS-level firewalls like Sucuri and Cloudflare, you can disable them from your account dashboard.
Option 9.Enable Debugging in WordPress
WordPress includes a built-in feature to log errors, but it is not activated by default.
To enable it, add the following code to your wp-config.php file:
define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );
define( 'WP_DEBUG_LOG', true );
Once enabled, WordPress will record all errors in a debug.log file found in the wp-content folder. You can access this file using an FTP client.
The error log may offer insights into the cause of the invalid JSON error on your website. For more information, check our guide on setting up WordPress error logs and utilizing them for debugging.
Option 10.Check for Mixed Content Errors
A mixed content error occurs when a website served over HTTPS (secure) attempts to load resources (such as images, scripts, or data) from an insecure HTTP source.
Modern browsers block mixed content to enhance security, preventing attackers from injecting harmful content into a secure website via insecure resources.
If the blocked resource is a JSON file or a script that retrieves JSON data, the browser may not fully access it. This incomplete or blocked data can lead to parsing errors, resulting in an invalid JSON error.
To learn how to resolve this issue, check out our guide on fixing mixed content errors in WordPress.
Final Step:Seek Expert Assistance
If you are still experiencing issues, it may be due to a misconfiguration on your WordPress hosting server. Most reputable WordPress hosting providers can assist users with common WordPress problems.
Simply contact them through live chat or a support ticket, and they may help you resolve the issue. For more details, you can read our guide on how to effectively request WordPress support.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I check if my WordPress permalinks are configured correctly?
You can check your permalinks by going to Settings » Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard. Choosing a default format will ensure that your permalinks are set up correctly.
2. Can a plugin cause a JSON error?
Yes, sometimes plugins can conflict with each other or with the WordPress core, resulting in a JSON error. To identify the problematic plugin, deactivate all plugins and then reactivate them one at a time.
3. Is it acceptable to switch to the Classic Editor?
Yes, using the Classic Editor plugin can temporarily fix JSON errors by minimizing reliance on the REST API.
4. What should I do if these steps do not resolve the JSON error?
If the error continues, it may be related to a server configuration issue. Reach out to your hosting provider for assistance, as they can help resolve server-related problems.
Discover More WordPress Troubleshooting Guides
Getting started with WordPress can sometimes lead to challenges. We’ve compiled a set of useful guides to help you address other common issues you may encounter.
- How to Resolve WordPress Updating Failed / Publishing Failed Error
- 13 Common Issues with the WordPress Block Editor and Their Solutions
- How to Fix the WordPress Admin Ajax 400 (Bad Request) Error
- How to Resolve the Issue of WordPress Website Not Updating Immediately
- How to Locate and Access WordPress Error Logs (Step-by-Step Guide)
We trust that this guide has equipped you with the knowledge to resolve the invalid JSON error in WordPress. Additionally, you might find our article on fixing the ‘Destination Folder Already Exists’ error helpful, as well as our comprehensive guide covering the most frequently encountered WordPress errors.
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