Invisible Ads within categories

Hi @arainbow1,

Sorry that you ran into issues here!

Can you tell me a bit more?
– What version of WP are you running here?
– What exact version of AWPCP? (number, please)
– Have you tried a conflict test yet? Here is an article about how to test for theme and plugin conflicts with AWPCP, which may help pinpoint the issue: https://awpcp.com/forum/faq/how-to-test-for-plugintheme-conflicts/
– Have you checked to see if it’s a caching problem? If you don’t flush the cache after certain operations, you’ll be seeing old data on your browser and maybe that’s what you see?

We recommend clearing the server cache, if you have one (which is found either in your hosting settings or on your plugin settings for things like WP Super Cache and W3TC if you have them installed), as well as your client browser cache.

The best way to get uncached data on your browser is to use a Private browsing window or Incognito mode (depending on your browser). That ensures you’re seeing the latest, correct data.

Try that and report back on what you find.

Thanks for getting back to me @awpcp,

Yes, sure here is all the info you’ve asked:

1. The WP version: WordPress 4.9 running (should be the latest)
2. The AWPCP version: Version 3.8.1 (should be the latest)
3. Have you checked to see if it’s a caching problem? = Yes, actually I use W3 Total Cache. I use this each time I make changes to attempt to fix the issue. I then use a private browser to A, check if the Ad listings come back, B, to create a listing to see if they too are invisible.

4. Have you tried a conflict test yet? = Yes, I’ve switched off all plugins leaving only the AWPCP, modules and buddypress.

but, If I remove each plugin (it doesn’t matter which ones), when I have removed about 10 of them. I can then start to make visible listings again on the classifieds. (yet all the previous remain invisible) I then add the plugins back which causes no other changes.

I say that it doesn’t matter what plugins I deactivate as it’s a different set of 10 that makes me able to add visible listings again.

What triggers issues isn’t the plugins – it’s the changes I make to the classifieds – the last one was redoing all my categories.

I think there is a strong link to the database as I’ve fixed it many times after this situation by restoring from a database backup.

Does my information remind you of any past similar cases of such issues? – Is there any idea what causes this bug from other users reporting similar symptoms in the past? – Right now it’s working fine as If I touch any important setting within my plugin, it’s likely to put all my listings in the categories invisible again.

Many thanks, AWPCP, looking forward to your response.

Hi @arainbow1,

Well, that’s very odd indeed. One question I would have is whether you’re on shared hosting or not. The fact that disabling 10 plugins seems to “fix” this, no matter which 10, tells me that you might be running out of memory or CPU. In that case, plugins don’t run correctly because your server lacks the bandwidth to handle them.

Shared hosting is not a platform we recommend if you use AWPCP with any reasonable level of data or traffic. This article explains why: https://businessdirectoryplugin.com/support-forum/faq/what-kind-of-hosting-should-i-use-for-wordpress-and-why-is-shared-hosting-a-problem/

Is that the case here? Maybe a more diligent conflict test would be in order–where you disable everything EXCEPT AWPCP, and then enable things one at a time until you get to the specific one that is eating up the resources…?