"Download File" link redirecting to homepage

That’s very strange as there’s no reason why the change from v1.8.10 to v1.8.11 would have caused any problems. Did you upgrade form an older version perhaps?

I know of a number of other users who are hosting their podcast files on libsyn without issues, so that won’t be a problem.

To debug this, check the following:

1. Make sure the audio file URLs added to each episode are 100% correct and that the files exist.
2. Deactivate all of your other plugins and, if the download links now work, then reactivate them one by one until the links break again – when that happens you will have discovered the plugin that is causing a conflict with SSP.
3. Switch to one of the default WordPress themes (e.g. Twenty Fifteen) and see if that fixes the download links.

Once you’ve done that debugging then let me know what the results are and we can go from there.

Cheers,
Hugh

I just updated to Version 1.9 and now when you click on the download link it goes to https://wellnessmama.com/podcast-download/36172/wm027-nano-nutrients-phytoplankton.mp3?ref=download and shows a 404 error.

I’ve double checked that the mp3 files are correct so there’s no issue there.

I’ve haven’t deactivated plugins or switched to the default WP theme yet because the site gets a lot of traffic and all the plugins perform essential functionality and we’re using the Genesis framework and a custom child theme.

I’ll probably have to setup a local dev environment to test it like that, but any other suggestions based on what changed since updating?

Try re-saving your site’s permalinks by going to Settings > Permalinks and see if that fixes the issue for you.

If it does not then you will need to setup a dev/staging server and test for plugin and theme conflicts like I described above. Your host will probably be able to help with automatically setting up a staging environment for you, so I would recommend you contact them about that.

Cheers,
Hugh

I tried re-saving permalinks and it had no effect. I also updated to Version 1.9.1, and now the in-post player is no longer working. Here’s the file URL for the episode I linked to above so you can see it is a valid audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/wellnessmama/wm026.mp3

OK – I’m still not sure why you’re getting that redirect – you’re going to have to test with all other plugins deactivated and a default theme in place.

The in-post player is now fixed in v1.9.2 though – sorry about the inconvenience there, but that issue is all sorted out.

Please let me know once you’ve tested for plugin and theme conflicts and then we can go from there.

Cheers,
Hugh

I’ll work on getting the testing environment setup. However, the update did not fix the in-player issue, it’s still not playing.

OK – if your file is inaccessible via the download link then that would explain why it’s not playing in the audio player.

Get back to me once you’ve been able to test with your other plugins deactivated and your theme set to a default one and then we can pick this up from there.

I am having the exact same issue.
I would be eager to hear if there is a resolution.

Thank you.

I reverted back to Version 1.8.9 and and episodes are playing on site, but the link to download is is still not working. Here’s the direct link now: https://wellnessmama.com/?podcast_episode=https://traffic.libsyn.com/wellnessmama/wm026.mp3

It appears there’s an issue with the plugin setting where it sets the link as.

Also, since the most recent update last night, the feed will no longer play in iTunes. However, since I reverted back, it works now.

Ok, so I found an issue with the Yoast WordPress SEO plugin. In they permalink settings for WP SEO, there the option to redirect ugly URL’s to clean permalinks. When I choose this option using the version 1.8.9 of SSP, the podcast player works in the post but clicking the download file link redirects back to the same podcast post episode.

When I unclick the option, the player works and clicking the download file link works as well.

To test, I upgraded SSP to the latest version, 1.9.2, and left the WP SEO redirect option unchecked. The podcast player will not play, and the download file link 404s.

It definitely appears there is an issue with the recent updates of SSP. Any thoughts on what can be done?

OK interesting – I’m getting a similar conflict now with WordPress SEO. I’m going to do some tests and see what I can work out and I’ll get back to you with a solution ASAP.

Well that testing went quicker than expected – I’ve worked out a solution to resolve this ??

In your WordPress SEO permalink settings, once you enable the “Redirect ugly URL’s to clean permalinks” setting, an input field appears at the bottom of the page labelled “Other variables not to clean”. In that input field please paste the following text:

podcast_episode,podcast_series,ref

That will make sure that WordPress SEO ignores the variables that the podcast download link and audio player need in order to function correctly.

After saving that setting, it all works correctly for me, so please test it out on your side and let me know if that fixes your issue.

Cheers,
Hugh

I just added that text, saved settings, updated plugin, deleted cache, and checked. The download link is not working and it’s still not playing in post. Crazy.

Please disable any caching plugins and try again – clearing it doesn’t always do the trick and disabling the plugin will ensure a more fair test.

Just deactivated and tried again, no change. Also, it’s not playing in itunes with latest update running.

BTW, you should really have a premium version of the plugin. I’d be more than happy to pay for it!