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Resolving the 'butterbean is not defined' Error in Ocean Extra with Elementor

14 threads Sep 16, 2025 Plugin → Ocean extra

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Many users of the Ocean Extra plugin alongside the Elementor page builder have encountered a confusing JavaScript error in their browser's console: ReferenceError: butterbean is not defined. This error can sometimes prevent the Elementor editor from functioning correctly. This guide explains what this error means and provides the most effective solutions to resolve it.

What is the 'butterbean is not defined' Error?

The error is a JavaScript console error that typically appears when using the Ocean Extra plugin with Elementor. The 'butterbean' in question is a framework used by the Ocean Extra plugin to power its theme settings meta box within the WordPress post/page editor. This error is often a false alarm and does not indicate a security threat or a critical site-breaking bug. However, it can be a symptom of a script loading conflict that may interfere with other plugins, primarily Elementor.

Why Does This Error Occur?

The error occurs because the Ocean Extra plugin's script (butterbean.min.js) is being loaded on an admin page where the core Butterbean framework it depends on is not present. This can happen due to:

  • Plugin or Theme Conflicts: Another plugin or your theme might be altering the standard script loading order in the WordPress admin.
  • Caching: Aggressive caching plugins may sometimes serve outdated or incorrectly combined scripts.
  • Specific Admin Pages: The script may be enqueued on pages like the Elementor editor where it is not needed, causing a conflict.

Common Solutions to Fix the Error

Based on community reports and common fixes, try these solutions in order.

1. Clear All Caches

The first and easiest step is to clear all caching layers on your site.

  • Clear your browser cache and hard reload the page (Ctrl + F5 on Windows, Cmd + Shift + R on Mac).
  • Clear any server-level, object, or page caching from your hosting control panel or caching plugin (e.g., WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache).
  • If you use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) like Cloudflare, purge its cache as well.

2. Perform a Conflict Test

This is the most reliable way to identify the source of the problem.

  1. Deactivate all plugins except for Ocean Extra and Elementor.
  2. Check if the error persists. If it is gone, reactivate your other plugins one by one, checking each time to see which one causes the error to reappear.
  3. If the error remains with only Ocean Extra and Elementor active, temporarily switch to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-One. If this fixes the issue, the conflict lies with your theme.

3. Update Everything

Ensure your WordPress core, Ocean Extra plugin, OceanWP theme, Elementor plugin, and all other plugins are updated to their latest versions. Development teams frequently release patches that fix known conflicts.

4. Check for a Patch in Ocean Extra

Some user-provided code snippets suggest that a conditional check (if (typeof butterbean !== 'undefined')) wrapped around the problematic code can prevent the error. The Ocean Extra team has historically been aware of this error and may have already implemented a fix in a recent update. Ensuring you are on the latest version of Ocean Extra is crucial.

Important Note on Security Warnings

Some security software, like Bitdefender, may flag the butterbean.min.js file as a potential threat (e.g., "Trojan.GenericKD"). Based on analysis from the provided threads, this is almost always a false positive. The Butterbean framework is a legitimate, open-source project. You can safely report this to your antivirus provider as a false detection to have them whitelist it in future definitions.

Conclusion

The butterbean is not defined error is a common but generally minor conflict between Ocean Extra and other page builders. It is rarely a critical issue but can be a nuisance. By systematically clearing cache, testing for conflicts, and ensuring all software is up-to-date, most users can resolve this problem quickly.

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