Resolving MetaSlider 3.17.5 Update Issues: Dashboard Problems and Missing Slideshows

Users recently reported significant issues after updating the 'Slider, Gallery, and Carousel by MetaSlider' plugin to version 3.17.5. The problems included a broken or misaligned dashboard interface, missing slideshows in the backend, and an incorrect "Browser upgrade required" warning message appearing in modern browsers like Chrome. The frontend of websites often continued to display slideshows correctly, but administrators were unable to edit or manage their sliders.

Based on community reports, these issues were caused by a problem in the plugin's build process for version 3.17.5. The 'Slider, Gallery, and Carousel by MetaSlider' team identified the fault and quickly released a patched version, 3.17.6, to resolve the problems.

Common Solutions

If you are experiencing these issues, here are the most effective solutions based on user success.

Solution 1: Update to Version 3.17.6 (or newer)

The primary fix is to ensure you are running version 3.17.6 or a later version of the plugin.

1. Navigate to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
3. Check if an update is available for 'MetaSlider'. If it is, proceed with the update.
4. If the update does not immediately appear in your dashboard, you can manually download version 3.17.6 (or the latest stable version) from the official WordPress plugin directory.

Solution 2: Manually Reinstall the Plugin

If the update is not showing or problems persist, a manual reinstallation is a safe and effective troubleshooting step. You will not lose any of your existing slideshows or settings as this data is stored separately in your WordPress database.

1. In your WordPress dashboard, deactivate and delete the current 'MetaSlider' plugin.
2. Install a fresh copy by either searching for "MetaSlider" in the "Add New" plugins section or by uploading the ZIP file downloaded from the WordPress.org directory.
3. Activate the newly installed plugin.

Solution 3: Clear Your Browser and Site Cache

After updating or reinstalling the plugin, clear all caching to ensure you are seeing the latest changes.

1. Clear your browser's cache and cookies. A simple hard refresh (Ctrl+F5 on Windows, Cmd+Shift+R on Mac) can also help.
2. Clear any server-side or plugin-based caching systems you have running on your WordPress site (e.g., WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache, or your hosting provider's cache).
3. Log out of your WordPress dashboard and then log back in to refresh your session.

For most users, applying Solution 1 or Solution 2 resolved the dashboard formatting issues and restored access to edit slideshows. The manual reinstall process confirmed by users is a reliable method to force a clean installation of the corrected plugin version.