There was an error. The response is not a valid JSON response.

  • I have a few websites. Both multisite and single site. None of them have all the same plugins activated.

    Yet, EVERY one of them, when I attempt to update the sidebar in Appearence >> Widgets, I get “There was an error. The response is not a valid JSON response.”

    I have deactivated all plugins and switched to default WordPress theme and I have reset permalinks. Nothing fixes the problem.

    I have also tried (suggested elsewhere) installing the classic editor. Nothing works.

    Is there a bug in WP 5.8.2?

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

  • In the current WP the Widget area has changed to a Block Editor – it is likely that one of your active widgets is not compatible.

    The plugin you need is not Classic Editor but Classic Widgets

    https://www.ads-software.com/plugins/classic-widgets/

    Install and activate.

    You then should be able to go to Appearance/Widgets

    If you then want to investigate which widget is ‘broken’ a process of elimination may be appropriate.

    p.s.

    When you get “There was an error. The response is not a valid JSON response.”

    Use browser inspection tool, to look at the browser console to check errors – the errors will give vital clues.

    Thread Starter EllsWeb

    (@ellsweb)

    Most of the sites have only the default widgets in the sidebar. However, installing Classic Widgets did solve the issue on the site I was most concerned about. I’ll keep that in mind. Though I had used the inspection tool and what I found didn’t help much other than not being able to find the current user path.

    But, as I said, Classic Widgets did solve the immediate issue. I can now take down the maintenance page.

    I will note that these sites have not changed in the last 5 updates of WordPress. I only found the problem when I tried to remove a block from the sidebar. So, there is an issue somewhere. And since it doesn’t change when deactivating all plugins and using a default theme, I look to WordPress issue.

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
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