Back to Community
Home / Community / General

Resolving Common Conflicts and Issues with the GDPR Cookie Compliance Plugin

43 threads Sep 10, 2025

Content

Users of the 'GDPR Cookie Compliance – Cookie Banner, Cookie Consent, Cookie Notice – CCPA, DSGVO, RGPD' plugin occasionally encounter conflicts with other themes, plugins, or server configurations. This guide outlines the most common problems and provides steps to diagnose and resolve them.

Common Issues and Their Solutions

1. JavaScript Conflicts with Page Builders or Forms

Problem: The plugin can sometimes cause JavaScript errors that break visual editors (like Divi Builder or WPBakery), form plugins (like Ninja Forms or wpForo), or admin interfaces. This often manifests as features being stuck loading or not working at all.

Why it happens: The plugin loads its own scripts, which can conflict with scripts from other plugins or themes, especially if they use similar JavaScript libraries or methods.

Solution:

  • Check the Browser Console: The first step is to open your browser's developer tools (F12) and look for any red error messages in the "Console" tab. These errors often point directly to the conflicting script.
  • Disable Script Optimization: If you use a caching or performance plugin that merges or minifies JavaScript files, try disabling this feature. As seen in one case, this was the root cause of a Ninja Forms conflict.
  • Test with a Default Theme: Temporarily switch to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-Four to see if the issue persists. If it resolves, the conflict is with your theme.
  • Plugin Conflict Test: Deactivate all other plugins except GDPR Cookie Compliance. If the issue is resolved, reactivate your plugins one by one to identify the culprit.

2. Settings Being Reset or Lost

Problem: Plugin settings may be lost, appear empty, or revert to default values. This has been reported after using search-and-replace tools or during updates.

Why it happens: The plugin stores its settings in the WordPress options table. Certain operations, like a search-and-replace that isn't handled correctly, can corrupt this serialized data.

Solution:

  • Update the Plugin: The development team has released updates to harden the plugin against data corruption. Ensure you are running the latest version.
  • Re-enter Settings Manually: If a search-and-replace operation is necessary, you may need to manually re-configure the plugin's settings afterward.
  • Export/Import with Caution: When using WP-CLI to manage settings, be aware that the import command may throw an error even if it partially works. Double-check the settings in the WordPress admin after import.

3. Database Errors and Missing Tables

Problem: A critical error occurs, stating a database table like wp_gdpr_cc_options doesn't exist, which can take a site down.

Why it happens: This is a rare but serious issue where the database table required by the plugin was not created during installation or was accidentally deleted.

Solution:

  • Reinstall the Plugin: Deactivate and delete the plugin. Then, install it again from the WordPress repository. This process should trigger the table creation routine. Always have a recent backup before performing this action.

4. Server Firewall (ModSecurity) Blocking Requests

Problem: Server-level firewalls like ModSecurity with OWASP rules may block requests because the data in the plugin's cookie looks like a SQL injection attempt.

Why it happens: The firewall rules are heuristic and can sometimes generate false positives based on patterns in data.

Solution:

  • Contact Your Host: You or your system administrator will need to contact your hosting provider. Provide them with the specific ModSecurity rule ID (e.g., ID 942330) and the data that was flagged. They can create an exception to whitelist this legitimate plugin activity.

General Troubleshooting Tips

  • Always Update: Many conflicts and bugs, such as duplicates in the consent log or issues with the WordPress widget area, are regularly patched by the 'GDPR Cookie Compliance' team. Keeping the plugin updated is the easiest way to ensure stability.
  • Gather Information: Before seeking help, note your WordPress version, PHP version, the plugin's version, and a list of your active themes and plugins. This information is crucial for diagnosing any issue.
  • Check the Console: As highlighted in multiple threads, the browser console is the most valuable tool for diagnosing JavaScript-related conflicts.

By methodically working through these steps, most conflicts can be identified and resolved, allowing the GDPR Cookie Compliance plugin to function smoothly alongside other site components.

Related Support Threads Support