Plugin Settings Not Saving | Tools To Debug Plugin Errors

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Plugin Settings Not Saving | Tools to Debug Plugin Errors (Full Guide)

If you’re struggling with the issue where your WordPress plugin settings are not saving, you’re not alone. This is a common problem caused by various factors ranging from plugin conflicts to server configuration. In this full SEO article, we will walk you through all possible causes and solutions, along with the best tools to debug plugin errors.

Table of Contents

What Causes “Plugin Settings Not Saving” in WordPress?
Step-by-Step Fix for Plugin Settings Not Saving
Tools to Debug Plugin Errors
How to Prevent Plugin Setting Issues in the Future
Final Thoughts

What Causes “Plugin Settings Not Saving” in WordPress?

Here are the most common reasons why plugin settings may not be saving:

JavaScript or jQuery Errors: A broken script can prevent form submission.
Plugin Conflicts: Two plugins may interfere with each other.
Theme Conflict: Your active WordPress theme might override plugin behaviour.
Server Restrictions: Low PHP memory or disabled functions can block saving.
ModSecurity or Firewall: Hosting firewalls can silently block POST requests.
Wrong File or Folder Permissions: WordPress cannot write settings properly.
Cache Interference: Browser, site, or CDN cache may interfere with saving.
REST API or AJAX Blocked: A plugin may rely on AJAX or REST API that’s failing.
Outdated Plugin Version: Older versions may not be compatible with the latest WordPress.

Plugin Settings Not Saving | Tools to Debug Plugin Errors

Step-by-Step Fix for Plugin Settings Not Saving

Here’s a detailed troubleshooting guide to help you fix the issue.

Clear All Types of Cache

Clear browser cache
Clear WordPress cache (via cache plugin)
Purge CDN cache (Cloudflare, Bunnycdn, etc.)

Enable WP_DEBUG to Check Errors

Edit wp-config.php and add:

define( ‘WP_DEBUG’, true );
define( ‘WP_DEBUG_LOG’, true );
define( ‘WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY’, false );

Visit the plugin settings page again. Then check the debug log at:

/wp-content/debug.log

Check JavaScript Console for Errors

Press F12 in your browser and go to the Console tab. Look for red-colored errors related to:

admin-ajax.php
jQuery not defined
Failed to load resource

If you see errors here, your plugin’s JavaScript is likely broken or clashing.

Deactivate Other Plugins

Temporarily deactivate all plugins except the one having the issue. Try to save again.

If it works, reactivate other plugins one by one to identify the conflict.

Step 5: Switch to a Default Theme

Switch to Twenty Twenty-Four or Twenty Twenty-Three theme. This helps rule out if your active theme is overriding plugin behavior.

Increase PHP Memory & Limits

In your php.ini, .htaccess, or wp-config.php:

memory_limit = 256M
post_max_size = 64M
upload_max_filesize = 64M
max_input_vars = 3000
max_execution_time = 300

Contact your host if you don’t know how to do this.

Disable ModSecurity

ModSecurity is a firewall used by some hosts. Ask your hosting provider to disable it temporarily or whitelist your plugin’s request URLS.

Check File Permissions

Use FTP or cPanel and go to:

/wp-content/plugins/plugin-name/

Make sure folders are 755 and files are 644.

Reinstall or Update the Plugin

Download the latest version of the plugin from the official WordPress repo or developer’s site and reinstall it.

Tools to Debug Plugin Errors in WordPress

Here are the most powerful tools you can use to debug plugin problems:

WP_DEBUG
Logs all PHP, database, and REST API errors to debug.log.
Query Monitor (Plugin)
Free plugin that displays PHP errors, REST API calls, database queries, and hooks.
Health Check & Troubleshooting
Allows you to troubleshoot by disabling plugins only for your user session.
Log Deprecated Notices
Identifies outdated or deprecated functions used by the plugin.
Browser Developer Tools (Console & Network tabs)
Catch JavaScript, AJAX, and CSS issues affecting settings save.
New Relic / APM (Advanced Hosting Only)
Monitor PHP function calls, plugin load times, and error rates in real time.
WP Crontrol
Check if scheduled cron jobs are interfering with settings saving (some plugins auto-save using cron).
Server Error Logs (via Hosting Panel)
Can help identify fatal errors, memory limit issues, or timeouts triggered during saving.

How to Prevent Plugin Setting Issues in the Future

Always use the latest version of WordPress, plugins, and themes.
Don’t use cracked or nulled plugins.
Avoid running multiple plugins with similar functions (like two SEO plugins).
Test new plugins on a staging site before pushing to live.
Manage WordPress hosting with support for plugin conflicts.

Final Thoughts

When plugin settings are not saving in WordPress, the issue usually lies in JavaScript errors, server restrictions, or plugin conflicts. Using tools like Query Monitor, WP_DEBUG, and browser dev tools can help you identify the root cause quickly. By following the troubleshooting steps above, you can restore functionality and avoid future problems.

Need help with a specific plugin? Just share the plugin name or error message and I can assist you further.

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