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Troubleshooting Code Snippets Import and Export Issues

14 threads Sep 16, 2025 Plugin → Code snippets

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Many users of the Code Snippets plugin encounter a frustrating problem: the import function fails, often with a generic error message and no clear cause. This guide will help you understand why this happens and walk you through the most effective solutions.

What is the Import/Export Problem?

The issue typically occurs when trying to import a previously exported .json file of snippets. The process may fail silently or display an error message such as "An error occurred when processing the import files." This can happen on both local development environments (like Laragon) and live web hosts.

Why Does This Happen?

Based on community reports and responses from the Code Snippets team, the root cause has often been a bug within the plugin's import processing code. These bugs can be introduced during updates, particularly around changes to the user interface, such as the introduction of tabs for different snippet types. File corruption or server configuration issues (like NGINX blocking certain assets) can also prevent a successful import, though these are less common.

How to Fix Code Snippets Import Issues

Follow these steps to resolve the problem.

Solution 1: Update the Plugin

The first and most important step is to ensure you are running the latest version of the Code Snippets plugin. The development team has historically addressed specific import bugs in new releases. For example, version 3.3.0 was released specifically to fix a widespread import failure. Navigate to your WordPress admin dashboard and check for updates under Plugins → Installed Plugins.

Solution 2: Reinstall the Plugin

If updating does not work, a clean reinstall can help. This fixes problems caused by corrupted plugin files, which can happen during a faulty update or server restoration from a backup.

  1. Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins.
  2. Deactivate and delete the Code Snippets plugin.
  3. Install a fresh copy from the WordPress plugin repository or by uploading the latest .zip file.
  4. Reactivate the plugin and attempt the import again.

Solution 3: Check Server Configuration and Error Logs

Sometimes, the issue is not with the plugin but with the server environment. Enable WordPress debugging to see if any underlying PHP errors are generated during the import process.

  1. Edit your wp-config.php file and ensure these lines are present and set to true: 
    define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );
define( 'WP_DEBUG_LOG', true );
define( 'WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY', false );
  2. Attempt the import operation again.
  3. Check the wp-content/debug.log file for any new error messages that appear during the import. These logs can provide crucial clues.

If you are using an NGINX server, ensure it is not configured to block CSS or JavaScript files required by the plugin's admin interface, as this has been known to cause display and functional issues.

Conclusion

Import and export functionality is critical for managing code snippets across different websites. The most reliable solution is typically to update to the latest version of the Code Snippets plugin, as the team actively works to resolve these bugs. If problems persist, a clean reinstall and a check of your server's error logs are the best next steps for troubleshooting.

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