Feedburner – Blank line before XML declaration

  • I am having an issue with my Feedburner not sending out new emails when I create a new post, which seems to be stemming from 2 blank spaces at the start of my feedburner feed:

    https://www.feedvalidator.org/check.cgi?url=https://olivesfordinner.com/feed/

    What I have done so far to fix:
    Deactivated all plugins, did nothing

    Changed under Settings/Reading, from full text to summary, which fixed all of the validation errors, except for the blank space on line 1.

    Installed Fix My Feed RSS plugin. It tells me to “apply the fix after I do a core update” — I have no idea what this means. The plugin author has been contacted, but has not answered.

    I also set up a redirect under Genesis/Theme Settings to: https://feeds.feedburner.com/OlivesForDinner

    I have spent countless hours trying to find a fix for this. Most advise to go into a code/directory/file, but nobody says HOW to do that! I’ve been on WordPress for about 2 months, and I GET what the issue is, I just wish someone would describe STEP BY STEP how to do that for someone new to WordPress and not very technical/familiar with code.

    I am using the Twenty Sixteen theme, and have a customized child theme installed.

    It just seems like there has to be a fix for this issue. From what I’ve read, I’m certainly not the only one with this problem?

    https://feeds.feedburner.com/OlivesForDinner
    site: https://olivesfordinner.com/

Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
  • Moderator James Huff

    (@macmanx)

    First of all, use https://validator.w3.org/feed/check.cgi?url=http%3A%2F%2Folivesfordinner.com%2Ffeed%2F it’s a bit more up to date. ??

    Anyway, same problem there.

    If you still have the same problem with the Twenty Sixteen theme and all plugins deactivated, it’s likely a problem with a core file.

    Try downloading WordPress again, access your server via SFTP or FTP, or a file manager in your hosting account’s control panel, and delete then replace your copies of everything on the server except the wp-config.php file and the /wp-content/ directory with fresh copies from the download. This will effectively replace all of your core files without damaging your content and settings.

    Some uploaders tend to be unreliable when overwriting files, so don’t forget to delete the original files before replacing them.

    Thread Starter erinwyso

    (@erinwyso)

    James,

    Thanks for the quick reply. I appreciate the walkthrough of a fix, but this unfortunately is still way over my technical ability to perform. However, I’ll put this aside to revisit again in the future.

    Obnoxious as it is, feedburner not delivering new emails is something I’ll have to live with, as I have no business purpose for paying for a service (MailChimp, Feedblitz) that I’ve been getting for free without issue for the past 5+ years (on blogger).

    Thanks again for your response, James, it is helpful and I’ll keep it handy for when I am more familiar with WordPress and feel like I can attempt to do it safely.

    Moderator James Huff

    (@macmanx)

    A quicker/simpler way to do above, though not as guaranteed, is to hit “Re-install Now” at Dashboard -> Updates in your site’s Dashboard.

    This will only replace core files, it won’t affect your content, but please do backup first just in case: https://codex.www.ads-software.com/WordPress_Backups

    Thread Starter erinwyso

    (@erinwyso)

    Thanks James, but I do not see that as an option? ??

    My hosting company allows me to create backups with one click, so I’d feel comfortable with doing this, if only I could find that “re-install now” option!

    Moderator James Huff

    (@macmanx)

    Who’s your hosting provider?

    Thread Starter erinwyso

    (@erinwyso)

    Flywheel: https://getflywheel.com/

    Moderator James Huff

    (@macmanx)

    Ah, ok. They actually offer full support and have direct access to everything on your site, so I recommend contacting them about this.

    Thread Starter erinwyso

    (@erinwyso)

    Oh, brilliant! I will do so.

    Thank you so much for your help, James, I really appreciate it!

    Moderator James Huff

    (@macmanx)

    You’re welcome!

Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
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