7 Steps to Fix Plugin Conflicts

Struggling with plugin conflicts on your WordPress site? Here’s a quick guide to fix them and keep your website running smoothly:

Clear Cache and Update Plugins: Start by clearing your browser cache and updating all plugins to their latest versions.
Find the Problem Plugin: Switch to a default theme, enable debugging, and use tools like the Health Check plugin to identify the conflicting plugin.
Turn Plugins Off and On: Deactivate all plugins, then reactivate them one by one to isolate the issue.
Fix or Replace the Problem Plugin: Decide whether to troubleshoot or replace the conflicting plugin with a more reliable alternative.
Test Your Website After Fixing: Reactivate plugins step-by-step and test your site’s features to ensure everything works.
Avoid Future Conflicts: Regularly update WordPress, plugins, and themes to prevent compatibility issues.
Consider Professional Management: For complex setups, professional services can handle updates, backups, and monitoring.

Quick Tip: Use trusted plugins, keep everything updated, and test changes in a staging environment before applying them live.

These steps will help you resolve most plugin conflicts and maintain a stable WordPress site. Let’s dive into the details!

How to perform a conflict check

Step 1: Clear Cache and Update Plugins

Start with these straightforward steps – they often fix issues without much hassle.

How to Clear Browser Cache

Clearing your browser cache varies depending on the browser you’re using. Here’s a quick guide for the most popular ones:

Browser	Steps to Clear Cache
Chrome	Go to Settings > More tools > Clear browsing data
Firefox	Navigate to Options > Privacy & Security > Clear Data
All Browsers	Open your browser’s settings and clear the cache for a full reset

When you clear your cache, make sure to include stored website files and cookies and other site data for a thorough cleanup.

Why Updating Plugins is Important

Head to Plugins > Installed Plugins in WordPress and click ‘Update Now’ for any plugins that need updates.

Here’s why keeping plugins updated is crucial:

Reason	Effect
Security Patches	Shields your site from vulnerabilities and potential attacks
Bug Fixes & Compatibility	Addresses errors and ensures smooth integration with WordPress updates
Performance Boosts	Improves website speed and functionality

For the best results, update plugins one at a time. After each update, test your website to spot any issues early. This step-by-step process makes it easier to identify if a specific plugin is causing problems.

"Regular updates are essential for keeping your website secure and running smoothly. Using plugins from reliable developers reduces the risk of conflicts."

Stick to plugins from trusted developers who provide frequent updates. If you manage multiple sites or want hands-off maintenance, professional website management services can handle updates for you.

If these steps don’t solve the problem, the next move is pinpointing which plugin is causing the conflict.

Step 2: Find the Problem Plugin

Now that you’ve updated and cleared your cache, it’s time to pinpoint which plugin is causing the issue.

Check for Theme and WordPress Conflicts

WordPress

Start by switching to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-Four and see if the issue persists.

Action	Purpose	Expected Result
Switch to Default Theme	Determine if the theme is causing the issue	If the problem remains, it’s likely a plugin conflict
Verify WordPress Version	Check for compatibility issues	If the issue resolves, it may be due to a version mismatch
Review Plugin Requirements	Ensure plugins are compatible with your setup	Outdated plugins may be causing the problem

Use Debugging Tools to Identify Errors

Turn on WordPress debugging by adding these lines to your wp-config.php file:

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

The Health Check & Troubleshooting plugin is a great tool for diagnosing errors. It lets you view logs and test plugins one by one without affecting your live site.

To spot JavaScript errors:

Open your browser’s Developer Tools (right-click > Inspect)
Navigate to the Console tab
Look for error messages related to plugins

If you’re not comfortable troubleshooting on your own, professional website management services can help. They use advanced tools to quickly identify and fix plugin conflicts while keeping your site stable.

Once you’ve identified the problematic plugin, the next step is to deactivate it and test further.

Step 3: Turn Plugins Off and On

Once you’ve used debugging tools to spot potential plugin conflicts, the next step is isolating the issue and getting your website back on track.

How to Deactivate Plugins Manually

The easiest way to deactivate plugins is through the WordPress dashboard. Head to Plugins » Installed Plugins and follow these steps:

Step	Action	Why It’s Important
1	Back up your website	Safeguards your data before changes
2	Deactivate all plugins in bulk	Clears the slate for troubleshooting
3	Reactivate plugins one by one	Helps pinpoint the conflicting plugin
4	Pause between activations	Gives time to spot potential problems

Can’t access your dashboard because of a severe conflict? No problem. Use an FTP client instead. Rename the /wp-content/plugins folder to plugins.deactivated – this disables all plugins at once.

Speed Things Up with Tools

The Health Check & Troubleshooting plugin is a great way to test plugins without disrupting your live site. It creates a safe testing environment, so you can enable and disable plugins systematically.

For multiple plugins, here’s a good testing order:

Start with essential plugins (like security or caching tools).
Add functionality plugins one at a time.
Test your website’s features after each activation.
Keep track of any errors or conflicts.

If you’re managing a site professionally, advanced tools can help resolve conflicts faster and reduce downtime.

Once you’ve nailed down the problematic plugin, you’ll need to decide whether to fix it or replace it.

Step 4: Fix or Replace the Problem Plugin

Once you’ve pinpointed the plugin causing issues, decide whether to fix it or find a replacement. This depends on how critical the plugin is to your site and the severity of the problem.

Choosing a Replacement Plugin

If replacing the plugin is the best option, prioritize compatibility and reliability when evaluating alternatives:

Evaluation Criteria	What to Look For
Recent Updates & Compatibility	Regular updates (within the last 3 months) and works with your WordPress version
User Reviews	A rating of 4 stars or higher with plenty of reviews
Support Quality	Accessible and responsive developer support
Documentation	Easy-to-follow setup guides and FAQs

Always review the plugin’s changelog to confirm it’s actively maintained.

Reporting the Issue to Developers

Even if you’ve moved on to a different plugin, it’s helpful to report the conflict to the original plugin’s developers. When submitting your report, include:

A clear description of the steps that lead to the conflict
Any error messages and your WordPress version
A list of active plugins and, if possible, screenshots

Providing detailed feedback can help developers address the issue in future updates. If the conflict is particularly tricky, you can reach out to experts like OneNine for professional assistance to keep your site running smoothly.

After resolving the issue, make sure to thoroughly test your website to confirm everything is functioning as it should.

Step 5: Test Your Website After Fixing

After addressing plugin conflicts and making updates, it’s important to ensure everything on your site works smoothly.

Reactivate Plugins Step by Step

Turn plugins back on one at a time through the WordPress dashboard to catch any remaining issues.

Testing Phase	Key Actions	What to Check
Initial Activation	Activate one plugin at a time	Look for basic functionality and error messages
Integration Check	Test individual features	Check forms, widgets, and custom functions
Cross-plugin Testing	Test plugins together	Ensure no overlapping functionalities cause problems

Pay close attention to how each plugin behaves before moving on to the next. This approach helps you catch any conflicts early.

Evaluate Website Performance

Once all your plugins are up and running, assess your site’s overall performance. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights can provide helpful metrics.

Focus on these areas:

Page load speeds: Ensure your site loads quickly.
Forms and buttons: Test all interactive elements.
Menus and links: Verify they function as expected.
Media display: Check that images, videos, and other media appear correctly.

For websites with complex setups or many plugins, use a staging environment. This allows you to test changes without affecting your live site.

If issues persist or optimizing performance feels overwhelming, consider professional services like OneNine. They can help keep your site running smoothly with regular updates and monitoring.

Step 6: Avoid Future Plugin Conflicts

Keeping your WordPress setup stable means staying on top of updates. Here’s a quick guide to maintaining a conflict-free environment:

Component	Update Frequency	Why It Matters
WordPress Core	As soon as available	Fixes security issues and improves compatibility
Plugins	Weekly checks	Resolves bugs and adds new features
Themes	Monthly or as needed	Boosts performance and updates security

If you’re comfortable with advanced tools, consider using Better Plugin Compatibility Control. It helps identify potential conflicts before they create problems on your site.

Should You Consider Professional Management?

If your site depends heavily on plugins or plays a critical role in your business, professional management can save you from costly downtime. Services like OneNine handle updates, backups, and performance monitoring to keep your site running smoothly.

Here are some essential features to look for when choosing a service:

Feature	What It Does	Why It’s Important
Proactive Monitoring	Spots conflicts early	Prevents unexpected site issues
Staging Environment	Safely tests updates	Avoids disruptions on your live site
Regular Backups	Ensures quick recovery options	Reduces the risk of data loss
Performance Tracking	Keeps tabs on site health	Ensures your site runs at top speed

OneNine takes a thorough approach to website management. They use staging environments to test updates before applying them to your live site, minimizing risks and keeping everything running smoothly.

Conclusion: Keep Your Website Running Smoothly

Overview of the 7 Steps

The seven steps – clearing your cache, updating plugins, identifying problematic plugins, testing systematically, fixing or replacing plugins, post-fix testing, and taking preventive measures – offer a clear method for handling and avoiding plugin conflicts. Each step plays a role in ensuring your website remains stable and performs well.

While these steps address most issues, there are times when professional assistance might be necessary.

When to Seek Professional Assistance

If you’re dealing with complicated plugin conflicts or recurring issues that disrupt your business, it might be time to consult an expert. Services like OneNine specialize in handling such challenges and offer solutions such as:

Proactive monitoring to catch conflicts early
Regular performance reviews to ensure smooth operation
Advanced technical support for tricky plugin-related problems