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Fixing the 'Cannot add a control outside of a section' Error in MetForm and Elementor

41 threads Sep 10, 2025

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If you're using MetForm – Contact Form, Survey, Quiz, & Custom Form Builder for Elementor and suddenly encounter the error message ElementorElement_Section::handle_control_position: Cannot add a control outside of a section (use start_controls_section), you're not alone. This is a known compatibility issue that can appear after certain Elementor updates. This article explains why this happens and provides the most effective solutions to resolve it.

What Causes This Error?

This error typically occurs due to a compatibility conflict between MetForm (or MetForm Pro) and a specific version of Elementor. Based on community reports, this issue has historically appeared after updates to Elementor, particularly around version 3.18.0. The error indicates that there's a problem with how the plugins are interacting with Elementor's control structure when building forms.

How to Fix the 'Cannot add a control outside of a section' Error

Solution 1: Update All Plugins

The most common fix for this issue is ensuring all your plugins are updated to their latest versions. The MetForm development team has addressed this compatibility issue in previous updates.

  1. Go to your WordPress Dashboard > Plugins
  2. Check if updates are available for MetForm, MetForm Pro (if using), Elementor, and Elementor Pro
  3. Update all plugins to their latest versions
  4. Clear any caching plugins or server caches
  5. Test if the error persists

Solution 2: Check for Specific Character Conflicts

In some cases, this error might be triggered by specific characters in your form fields. One user reported that quotation marks (") in checkbox option titles caused similar issues.

  1. Edit your MetForm form
  2. Check all field labels and options for special characters like quotation marks
  3. Remove or replace any problematic characters
  4. Save your form and test again

Solution 3: Server Configuration Check

While less common for this specific error, some Elementor and MetForm issues can be related to server resource limitations. Ensure your server meets these minimum requirements:

  • PHP memory_limit: 512M or higher
  • PHP max_execution_time: 300 seconds
  • You may need to contact your hosting provider to adjust these settings

Solution 4: Conflict Testing

If updating doesn't resolve the issue, try these conflict isolation steps:

  1. Temporarily switch to a default WordPress theme (Twenty Twenty-Four or Hello Elementor)
  2. Deactivate other plugins one by one (especially other Elementor addons)
  3. Check if the error disappears after each deactivation
  4. If you identify a conflicting plugin, check with its developers for compatibility updates

When to Seek Additional Help

If none of these solutions work, the issue might be specific to your setup. You might want to:

  • Check the official MetForm changelog for specific version compatibility notes
  • Look for similar reports in WordPress support forums
  • Ensure you're using compatible versions of all Elementor-related plugins

Remember that plugin compatibility is an ongoing process, and keeping all your plugins updated is the best prevention against these types of errors.

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