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Resolving ExactMetrics Plugin Conflicts: A Troubleshooting Guide

25 threads Sep 9, 2025 Plugin → Exactmetrics – google analytics dashboard for wordpress (website stats plugin)

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ExactMetrics (formerly GADWP) is a powerful tool for integrating Google Analytics with WordPress. However, like any complex plugin, it can sometimes conflict with other themes or plugins on your site. This guide will help you identify and resolve the most common types of conflicts.

Why Do Conflicts Happen?

Conflicts occur when two or more pieces of code—from your theme, ExactMetrics, or another plugin—try to use the same resources (like JavaScript or CSS files) in incompatible ways. This can lead to a range of issues, from broken admin pages and JavaScript errors to features like lightboxes or form submissions not working correctly.

Common Conflict Scenarios and Solutions

1. JavaScript Errors and Broken Admin Interfaces

Symptoms: Blank white screens, parts of your WordPress admin not loading, or JavaScript errors appearing in your browser's console (like "Uncaught TypeError"). These are often noted after a plugin or theme update.

Common Culprits: Caching, minification, or security plugins (e.g., W3 Total Cache, Wordfence, NinjaFirewall) that optimize or protect scripts can sometimes interfere.

Solutions:

  • Update Everything: First, ensure ExactMetrics, your theme, and all other plugins are updated to their latest versions. Many conflicts are patched in subsequent updates.
  • Clear All Caches: Clear your browser cache, your WordPress caching plugin's cache, and any server-level cache (like Redis or Varnish).
  • Adjust Minification Settings: If you use a caching plugin, try temporarily disabling minification or concatenation of JavaScript files. This is a frequent cause of script errors.

2. Front-End Features Breaking (Lightboxes, Galleries, Forms)

Symptoms: Features like image lightboxes, video popups, sliders, or contact forms stop working for site visitors when ExactMetrics is active.

Common Culprits: ExactMetrics' enhanced link attribution or events tracking, which modifies link behaviors to track clicks.

Solutions:

  • Disable Specific Tracking Features: Navigate to ExactMetrics > Settings > Engagement and try turning off "Events Tracking" for downloads, mailto, telephone, and outbound links. Test to see if this resolves the issue.
  • Identify the Conflicting Plugin: The issue may be a combination of ExactMetrics and a specific plugin (e.g., a specific lightbox or form plugin). Isolate the conflict by testing with other plugins disabled.

3. Browser-Specific Issues (Firefox/Chrome)

Symptoms: The plugin's dashboard widgets, stats, or dropdowns not loading, but only in a specific browser like Firefox.

Common Culprits: Browser extensions, aggressive privacy settings (like Firefox's Tracking Protection), or cached outdated scripts.

Solutions:

  • Clear Browser Cache: Perform a "hard reload" or clear the browser's cache and cookies completely for your site.
  • Check Browser Extensions: Disable browser extensions one by one to see if one is causing a conflict.
  • Check Privacy Settings: In Firefox, ensure Tracking Protection is not set to "Strict" for your site.

How to Systematically Test for a Conflict

If the solutions above don't work, follow this standard WordPress troubleshooting process to identify the root cause:

  1. Switch to a Default Theme: Temporarily switch to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-One. If the problem disappears, the conflict is with your theme.
  2. Deactivate All Other Plugins: Deactivate every plugin except ExactMetrics. If the problem is resolved, reactivate your plugins one by one to identify which one causes the conflict.
  3. Check for JavaScript Errors: With the problem occurring, open your browser's developer tools (F12) and check the "Console" tab for any red error messages. These can provide crucial clues.

Getting Further Help

If you've identified a conflict but cannot resolve it, the ExactMetrics team can often provide more targeted help. When seeking support, be prepared to provide the following information:

  • The exact name and version of your theme and all active plugins.
  • The specific symptoms and any error messages from your browser console.
  • The steps you've already taken to troubleshoot.

By methodically testing and providing clear details, you can quickly get back to using ExactMetrics without interruptions.

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