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Troubleshooting Common Conflicts and Errors with Shortcodes Ultimate

23 threads Sep 11, 2025 Plugin → Wp shortcodes plugin — shortcodes ultimate

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If you use the popular WP Shortcodes Plugin — Shortcodes Ultimate, you might occasionally run into issues ranging from JavaScript errors to conflicts with other plugins. This guide compiles the most common problems reported by users and offers practical solutions to get your site back on track.

1. Plugin and Theme Conflicts

Many issues arise from conflicts with other plugins or themes. For instance, users have reported specific conflicts with plugins like Ubermenu, Fastspring, Rehub, and Digital Access Pass (DAP). These conflicts often manifest as broken tabs, accordions, or other shortcode functionalities.

How to Troubleshoot:

  • Deactivate Other Plugins: The most reliable way to identify a conflict is to deactivate all other plugins temporarily. If the issue resolves, reactivate your plugins one by one to pinpoint the culprit.
  • Switch Themes: Temporarily switch to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-One. If the problem disappears, the conflict is with your theme.
  • Reach Out to Developers: If you identify a specific conflicting plugin, it can be helpful to inform both the Shortcodes Ultimate team and the other plugin's developers. They may be aware of the issue or can provide a workaround.

2. JavaScript Errors and Missing Dependencies

A frequent error seen in the browser console or tools like Query Monitor is Uncaught ReferenceError: su_magnific_popup is not defined or warnings about Missing Dependencies for 'su-generator' (e.g., farbtastic, magnific-popup, simpleslider).

How to Fix:

  • Reinstall the Plugin: A complete reinstall often resolves missing file errors. Delete the plugin from your WordPress dashboard and install it fresh. This ensures all files are present and correct.
  • Check Plugin Version Compatibility: Ensure your WordPress, PHP, and plugin versions are all compatible. Older plugin versions may have unresolved dependency issues.

3. Performance Issues: High CPU and Slow Load Times

Some users report that Shortcodes Ultimate can cause high server CPU load or slow down page speeds, particularly on mobile.

Common Causes and Solutions:

  • Inefficient Queries: Older versions of the plugin sometimes run slow database queries, especially related to image resizing. Updating to the latest version of the plugin often includes performance optimizations.
  • Render-Blocking Resources: The plugin's CSS and JS can be flagged by tools like Google PageSpeed Insights. To mitigate this:
    • Use a caching/optimization plugin like WP Rocket or Autoptimize.
    • Exclude Specific Files: If using JS aggregation or minification, you may need to exclude the plugin's scripts. Common files to exclude from optimization are magnific-popup.js and shortcodes-ultimate/assets/js/ files. If one exclusion doesn't work, try disabling JS aggregation entirely as a test.
    • Implement lazy loading for images and content.

4. Caching and Optimization Plugin Conflicts

Conflicts with caching plugins like WP Rocket or Autoptimize are common. Symptoms include broken lightboxes, carousels, or spoilers.

How to Resolve:

  • Identify the Problematic Setting: Disable specific optimization settings one by one (e.g., JS aggregation, minification, deferral) to identify which one is causing the conflict.
  • Use Exclusion Lists: Most optimization plugins allow you to exclude specific files. Try adding the following to your exclusion lists: /wp-content/plugins/shortcodes-ultimate/assets/js/*.js /wp-content/plugins/shortcodes-ultimate/includes/js/*.js

5. False Positive Malware Flags

Security scans sometimes flag the file shortcodes-ultimate/assets/js/ace/mode-php.js as malware. This is a known false positive. This file is part of the plugin's code editor functionality and does not contain malicious code.

6. Customizations Lost After Update

If you modify plugin template files (e.g., templates/default-loop.php), your changes will be overwritten during a plugin update.

The Correct Way to Customize:

  • Never edit plugin files directly. Instead, copy the template file you wish to modify into your child theme directory, maintaining the same folder structure (e.g., your-child-theme/shortcodes-ultimate/templates/default-loop.php). WordPress will then use your custom file instead of the plugin's default.

Conclusion

Many issues with Shortcodes Ultimate can be resolved through systematic troubleshooting: checking for conflicts, reinstalling the plugin, and carefully configuring optimization settings. For ongoing issues, the community on independent forums like this one can be a valuable resource for finding workarounds and shared solutions.

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