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How to Fix the 'Failed to load plugin' Error in WordPress

33 threads Sep 16, 2025 Plugin → Advanced editor tools

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If you've encountered a "Failed to load plugin: [plugin_name] from url [URL]" error in your WordPress admin area, you're not alone. This is a common issue that can prevent the visual editor from loading correctly. Based on community reports and solutions, here’s a breakdown of what causes this error and the most effective ways to resolve it.

What Causes This Error?

This error occurs when the TinyMCE editor, which powers the WordPress block and classic editors, cannot load a JavaScript file for one of its plugins. The root cause is rarely a bug in the 'Advanced Editor Tools' (formerly TinyMCE Advanced) plugin itself. Instead, it is almost always one of the following external factors:

  • Security or Firewall Rules: Services like Cloudflare, Project Shield, or server-level firewalls can block the loading of .js files, mistaking them for suspicious activity.
  • Incomplete File Uploads: The necessary plugin file (e.g., plugin.min.js) is missing or was not fully uploaded to the server.
  • File Permissions: The server's file permissions prevent WordPress from reading the required JavaScript file.
  • Third-Party Plugin Conflicts: Another plugin is incorrectly trying to load its own TinyMCE extension from a wrong or outdated path.
  • Caching Issues: Aggressive caching, either on your server or a CDN, may be serving an old or corrupted version of the file.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

Try these solutions in order, starting with the most common and easiest to fix.

1. Check Your Security & Firewall Settings (The Most Common Fix)

Many users resolved this issue by adjusting their CDN or firewall settings. If you use Cloudflare, Sucuri, or a similar service:

  • Temporarily pause the service or put your site in "Development Mode."
  • Clear all cache levels in your CDN and WordPress.
  • Check for any firewall rules that block *.js files or outgoing/incoming traffic from your /wp-content/ directory.
  • If the error disappears, you've found the culprit. You will need to create an allowlist rule or exception in your security service for the affected paths.

2. Verify the File Exists on Your Server

The error message will show the exact path of the file that failed to load (e.g., .../wp-content/plugins/tinymce-advanced/mce/table/plugin.min.js).

  • Use your browser's address bar to navigate directly to this URL. You should see the JavaScript code. If you see a "404 Not Found" or "403 Forbidden" error, the file is missing or inaccessible.
  • Using FTP or your host's file manager, navigate to that directory on your server and confirm the file is present.
  • If the file is missing, reinstall the 'Advanced Editor Tools' plugin. Simply deactivate, delete, and then install it again from the Plugins menu.

3. Reinstall the Plugin

A clean reinstall can fix issues caused by corrupted files or incomplete updates.

  1. Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins.
  2. Deactivate and delete the 'Advanced Editor Tools' plugin.
  3. Go to Plugins → Add New and search for "Advanced Editor Tools."
  4. Install and activate it again.

4. Check for Plugin Conflicts

Another plugin might be causing the conflict. To test this:

  1. Temporarily disable all other plugins except 'Advanced Editor Tools'.
  2. Check if the error disappears.
  3. If it does, reactivate your plugins one by one to identify which one is causing the issue. Common culprits are plugins that add their own buttons to the visual editor, such as affiliate link managers or form builders.

5. Contact Your Web Host

If the above steps don't work, the problem is likely at the server level.

  • File Permissions: Ask your host to verify that file permissions for the wp-content/plugins/ directory and its subfolders are set correctly (typically 755 for directories and 644 for files).
  • Server Blocks: Ask if any server-level security modules (e.g., ModSecurity) are blocking the requests and if they can create an exception.

Conclusion

The "Failed to load plugin" error is frustrating but usually solvable. The most frequent solution involves adjusting CDN or firewall settings. By methodically working through these troubleshooting steps, you can identify the cause and get your editor back to full functionality.

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