How to Fix Plugin Conflicts by Excluding Files from WP-Optimize Minify

Many WordPress users rely on the 'WP-Optimize – Cache, Compress images, Minify & Clean database to boost page speed & performance' plugin to improve their site's performance. A common issue that arises is that the plugin's minification and caching features can sometimes break the functionality of other plugins, such as cookie consent tools (Borlabs Cookie, CookieYes), newsletter pop-ups, e-commerce multi-currency systems, and analytics scripts (Google Tag Manager, Google Site Kit).

This happens because the process of combining and compressing JavaScript and CSS files can interfere with how some plugins operate. The scripts may be truncated, loaded in the wrong order, or cached in a state that prevents dynamic content from updating correctly.

Based on common community solutions, here are the most effective steps to resolve these conflicts.

1. Identify the Problem Files

The first step is to determine which specific JavaScript (.js) or CSS (.css) files are causing the issue. Often, the other plugin's support documentation or support team can provide you with a list of their core files. You can also use your browser's developer tools (F12) to see which files are related to the malfunctioning feature.

2. Add Exclusions in WP-Optimize

Once you have identified the problematic files, you can exclude them from being processed.

• Navigate to WP-Optimize > Minify.
• Find the sections for JavaScript and CSS.
• Look for the text areas labeled Exclude JavaScript from processing and Exclude CSS from processing.
• Enter the full absolute paths to the files, one per line. For example: /wp-content/plugins/plugin-name/js/script.js

3. Clear Cache and Reset Minified Files

After adding any exclusions, it is crucial to clear the cache and reset the minified files for the changes to take effect.

• Go to WP-Optimize > Minify > Minify status.
• Click the Reset the minified files button.
• Also, clear any page cache from the Cache tab.

4. Disable Merging (A Common Solution)

If adding specific exclusions does not work, a broader solution that often resolves issues is to disable the merging of files while keeping minification enabled.

• Go to WP-Optimize > Minify > JS & CSS.
• Uncheck the options for Enable merging of JS files and Enable merging of CSS files.
• Save changes and reset the minified files as described in Step 3.

This allows files to be minified individually without being combined, which can prevent many script conflict errors.

5. Temporarily Deactivate for Troubleshooting

If you are unsure if WP-Optimize is the cause of the problem, a standard troubleshooting step is to temporarily deactivate its minification and caching features. If the issue is resolved upon deactivation, you can be confident the conflict is related to optimization. You can then re-enable features one by one to isolate the culprit.

By following these steps, you can often enjoy the performance benefits of WP-Optimize while maintaining full compatibility with all your site's essential plugins.