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Fixing Anchor Link Issues in Easy Table of Contents

32 threads Sep 10, 2025 Plugin → Easy table of contents

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Anchor links are the core functionality of any table of contents plugin, allowing users to jump to specific sections on a page. However, users of the Easy Table of Contents plugin sometimes report that these links stop working correctly. This can happen after an update, when using non-Latin characters, or due to conflicts with other elements on a site.

Based on community reports, here are the most common causes and their solutions.

Why Do Anchor Links Break?

Anchor link issues typically fall into a few categories:

  • Plugin Updates: Major updates can change how anchors are generated, breaking existing links.
  • Special Characters: Headings containing characters like &, :, –, or — can prevent anchor creation.
  • Character Encoding: Headings in Cyrillic, Japanese, or other non-Latin scripts may not generate anchors as expected.
  • Theme or Plugin Conflicts: JavaScript from other plugins or themes can interfere with the smooth scroll functionality.
  • Incorrect Scroll Position: The page might scroll, but not to the correct spot, often due to lazy-loaded images or fixed headers.

Common Solutions for Anchor Problems

1. Regenerate Link IDs After an Update

If anchors stopped working after a plugin update, a settings change may resolve it.

  1. Navigate to Settings > Table of Contents in your WordPress admin.
  2. Scroll down to the Advanced settings section.
  3. Locate the option labeled Generate TOC link ids or similar.
  4. Enable this option and save your settings.
  5. Clear any caching plugins you have running on your site.
  6. Test the links again.

2. Handle Special and Non-Latin Characters

The plugin's handling of characters has evolved. If you need consistent, Latin-based anchors for non-Latin text (like Russian or Japanese), you may need to use a filter or consider a third-party transliteration solution, as this functionality is not built directly into the plugin's core settings.

3. Disable Smooth Scrolling

If the page scrolls to the wrong position, the Smooth Scroll feature might be conflicting with other page elements.

  1. Go to Settings > Table of Contents.
  2. Find the Smooth Scroll option (often in the Advanced section).
  3. Disable this feature.
  4. Save changes and test your page.

4. Perform a Conflict Test

Many issues are caused by conflicts with other plugins or your theme.

  1. Switch Themes Temporarily: Activate a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-Four. If the anchors work, the issue is with your theme.
  2. Deactivate Plugins: Deactivate all other plugins except Easy Table of Contents. If the anchors work, reactivate your plugins one by one to identify the culprit. Pay special attention to optimization, lazy load, or other content-altering plugins.

Need More Help?

If these steps don't resolve your issue, the best way to get help from the community is to provide specific details. When asking for support, be sure to include:

  • The URL of the page where the problem occurs.
  • The exact text of a heading that isn't working.
  • A list of your active plugins and your theme name.

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