Understanding and Fixing the WordPress Error: “Updating Failed – The Response Is Not a Valid JSON Response”

 

If you’re a WordPress user, especially working with the block editor (Gutenberg), you might have encountered the frustrating error message:

“Updating failed: The response is not a valid JSON response.”

This error usually appears when you try to update or publish a post or page. It prevents your content from being saved properly and can be confusing, especially if you don’t know what JSON is or why it matters.

What Does This Error Mean?

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data format used by WordPress to communicate between your browser and the server. When you update a post, WordPress sends data to the server and expects a valid JSON response back confirming the update was successful.

If the response is invalid or corrupted, WordPress throws this error, signaling that it couldn’t properly process your update request.

Common Causes of the JSON Response Error

  1. Permalink or URL Issues
    Incorrect site URL or permalink settings can disrupt the REST API, which WordPress relies on to send/receive JSON data.

  2. Plugin or Theme Conflicts
    Some plugins or themes might interfere with the REST API or cause output that corrupts the JSON response.

  3. SSL/HTTPS Configuration Problems
    Mismatched HTTP and HTTPS settings or invalid SSL certificates can cause the server to reject requests.

  4. Server or Hosting Limitations
    Server configurations like mod_security, firewall rules, or outdated PHP versions might block REST API requests.

  5. Large Images or Content
    Oversized media files or complex content might sometimes cause timeouts or incomplete responses.

How to Fix the “Updating Failed: The Response Is Not a Valid JSON Response” Error

1. Check Your Permalinks

  • Go to Settings > Permalinks in your WordPress dashboard.

  • Without changing anything, click Save Changes to refresh permalink settings.

  • This can often reset URL rewrite rules and fix REST API issues.

2. Verify Site URL and WordPress URL

  • Ensure the WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL) are correctly set under Settings > General.

  • Both should use the same protocol (http or https).

3. Disable Plugins and Switch Themes

  • Temporarily deactivate all plugins to see if the error resolves.

  • If it does, reactivate them one by one to identify the culprit.

  • Also, switch to a default theme (like Twenty Twenty-Three) to check if your theme causes the problem.

4. Check SSL and HTTPS Settings

  • If your site uses HTTPS, make sure the SSL certificate is valid and properly configured.

  • Avoid “mixed content” issues where some resources load over HTTP and others over HTTPS.

5. Increase PHP Limits

  • Increase PHP memory limit, max execution time, and upload file size via your hosting control panel or php.ini.

  • Contact your hosting provider if you’re unsure how to do this.

6. Clear Caches

  • Clear your browser cache.

  • Clear any caching plugins or server-side caches like Varnish or CDN caches.

7. Check for Server Errors

  • Look at your server’s error logs to identify any backend issues.

  • Consult with your hosting provider to troubleshoot server-side restrictions.

Bonus Tip: Use Classic Editor or REST API Debugging Plugins

If the issue persists, consider temporarily switching to the Classic Editor plugin to bypass Gutenberg’s reliance on REST API for saving. You can also install debugging plugins like Health Check & Troubleshooting or REST API Toolbox to get detailed insights.

Conclusion

The “Updating failed: The response is not a valid JSON response” error in WordPress can be caused by various technical issues, mostly related to the REST API communication between your browser and server. By systematically checking your permalink settings, plugins, themes, SSL configuration, and server setup, you can often resolve this error quickly.

If you’re uncomfortable making these changes yourself, reaching out to your hosting provider or a WordPress developer might be the best course of action.

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