Fixing the 'Failed to execute removeChild on Node' Error in AMP

If you're seeing the error message "Failed to execute 'removeChild' on 'Node': The node to be removed is not a child of this node" on your WordPress site with the AMP plugin, you're not alone. This is a common JavaScript error reported by many users. Let's break down what this error means and explore the most effective troubleshooting steps to resolve it.

What Does This Error Mean?

This error occurs when a JavaScript script, often part of the AMP plugin's functionality (like amp-support.js or amp-settings.js), tries to remove an HTML element from a webpage using the removeChild() method. However, the element it's trying to remove either no longer exists in the expected location in the page's structure (the Document Object Model, or DOM) or was never a direct child of the specified parent node to begin with. This is typically a symptom of a conflict rather than a core bug in the AMP plugin itself.

Why Does This Happen?

Based on common reports, this error is frequently triggered by one of the following scenarios:

• Plugin or Theme Conflicts: Another plugin or your active theme might be modifying the page's HTML structure after the AMP plugin has already processed it. This can cause the AMP plugin's scripts to reference elements that have been moved or deleted.
• JavaScript Errors from Other Sources: A separate JavaScript error from another script on the page can interrupt the normal flow of execution, leaving the DOM in an unexpected state when the AMP script runs.
• Caching: Aggressive caching mechanisms might be serving an outdated version of the page's structure to the browser.
• Specific Plugin Interactions: As seen in one thread, issues with specific themes like 'Theme Rex' can also manifest as this error.

How to Troubleshoot and Fix the Error

Here are the most effective steps to identify and resolve the conflict causing this error.

Step 1: Clear All Caches

Before beginning more complex troubleshooting, clear all caching layers. This includes your browser cache, any server-side or hosting caching, and caching from plugins like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache. A stale cached page is often the simplest culprit.

Step 2: Perform a Conflict Check

This is the most reliable method for identifying the source of the problem.

1. Switch to a Default Theme: Temporarily switch your website's theme to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-Four. Clear your cache and check if the error disappears.
2. Deactivate Plugins: If the error persists, deactivate all plugins except AMP. Check if the error is resolved. If it is, reactivate your plugins one by one, checking the site after each activation, until the error returns. The last plugin you activated is likely the source of the conflict.
3. Check Browser Console: During this process, keep your browser's developer console open (F12). Look for any other red JavaScript errors that appear before the removeChild error, as they might be the root cause.

Step 3: Update Everything

Ensure your WordPress core, the AMP plugin, your theme, and all other plugins are updated to their latest versions. The AMP team frequently releases updates that include compatibility fixes.

Step 4: Gather Information for Further Help

If the conflict check does not reveal the issue, you will need to gather specific information. The official AMP support team often requests a Support UUID. You can find this by navigating to AMP → Support in your WordPress dashboard. Providing this code and details about your theme and plugins is essential for getting targeted help from the community or the plugin's developers.

Conclusion

The Failed to execute 'removeChild' on 'Node' error is almost always a conflict issue. Methodically testing for conflicts by switching themes and deactivating plugins is the most effective way to pinpoint the cause. Once the conflicting software is identified, you can seek a specific solution, look for an update, or find a suitable alternative.