Troubleshooting WordPress 6.4 Crash Issues with a Popular Page Builder
WordPress is one of the most widely used content management systems (CMS) in the world, powering millions of websites. However, like any software, it is not immune to bugs and issues that can arise with updates. Recently, the release of WordPress 6.4, codenamed Shirley, has caused concern among publishers and developers due to reports of websites crashing after the update. In particular, users of a popular page builder, Oxygen, have experienced fatal errors that brought their sites down. This article aims to delve into the causes of these crashes and provide potential solutions for affected users.
Understanding the Issue
1. The Common Denominator: Oxygen Page Builder
One of the first observations made by users experiencing crashes after updating to WordPress 6.4 was that all affected sites had the Oxygen page builder installed. This coincidence raised suspicions about a potential conflict between the page builder and the latest WordPress version.
Additionally, a peculiar pattern emerged: sites using the Oxygen page builder were not only crashing when legacy default themes were active but also when these themes were present in the installation, even if they were deactivated. This connection between the Oxygen page builder and legacy default themes sparked further investigation into the root cause of the crashes.
2. Legacy Default Themes: A Contributing Factor
Legacy default themes, such as Twenty Twenty One and Twenty Twenty Two, were found to play a role in exacerbating the crashing issue. Even if these themes were not active, their presence alongside the Oxygen page builder triggered fatal errors, causing sites to crash. This peculiar behavior suggests a compatibility issue between the Oxygen page builder and the legacy default themes.
3. The Loading of Default Style CSS
One theory proposed by a user in the Oxygen user group revolves around the loading of default style CSS by active themes. It was speculated that this default CSS could be responsible for the crashes. This theory gained traction when a user reported that deleting the CSS from their “oxygen bare minimum” theme resolved the crashing problem.
Resolving the Crashes
1. Patching the Oxygen Page Builder
After the crashes were reported, the developers of the Oxygen page builder swiftly responded and released a patch, version 4.7.1. This update aimed to address the compatibility issues that were causing the crashes when used with WordPress 6.4. Users were strongly advised to update their Oxygen page builder plugin to the latest version before updating to WordPress 6.4.
2. Removing Legacy Default Themes
To mitigate the risk of crashes, users have found success by removing legacy default themes from their WordPress installations. Even if these themes are deactivated, their presence alongside the Oxygen page builder seems to trigger fatal errors. By deleting all older versions of the default theme, users have reported successful restoration of their crashed sites.
3. Seeking Professional Assistance
If users continue to experience crashes after following the aforementioned solutions, it is advisable to seek professional assistance. WordPress developers and SEO strategists with expertise in troubleshooting can provide site audits and phone consultations to identify and resolve any underlying issues causing the crashes. They can analyze the specific configuration and plugins used on the website, offering tailored solutions to mitigate the crashing problem.
See first source: Search Engine Journal
FAQ
1. Why are websites crashing after updating to WordPress 6.4?
Websites are crashing after updating to WordPress 6.4 due to a compatibility issue between the Oxygen page builder plugin and the latest WordPress version. Users of the Oxygen page builder have reported fatal errors that bring down their sites. Additionally, the presence of legacy default themes, such as Twenty Twenty One and Twenty Twenty Two, in the installation, even if deactivated, exacerbates the crashing issue.
2. Is there a common factor among affected websites?
Yes, a common denominator among affected websites is the use of the Oxygen page builder plugin. Users with this page builder installed have reported crashes after updating to WordPress 6.4.
3. What is the role of legacy default themes in the crashes?
Legacy default themes, like Twenty Twenty One and Twenty Twenty Two, contribute to the crashing issue. Even if these themes are not active, their presence alongside the Oxygen page builder triggers fatal errors, causing websites to crash.
4. What is the theory regarding default style CSS loading?
One theory suggests that the loading of default style CSS by active themes may be responsible for the crashes. Users have reported success in resolving the issue by deleting the CSS from their “oxygen bare minimum” theme.
5. How can users resolve the crashes after updating to WordPress 6.4?
There are several ways to resolve the crashes:
- Patch the Oxygen Page Builder: Users are advised to update their Oxygen page builder plugin to version 4.7.1 or later, as this release aims to address the compatibility issues causing crashes with WordPress 6.4.
- Remove Legacy Default Themes: To mitigate the risk of crashes, users can remove legacy default themes from their WordPress installations. Deleting all older versions of default themes, even if deactivated, has been reported as a successful solution.
- Seek Professional Assistance: If crashes persist, users can seek professional assistance from WordPress developers and SEO strategists who specialize in troubleshooting. They can provide site audits and tailored solutions to identify and resolve underlying issues causing the crashes.
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