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Troubleshooting Common Issues with the Duplicate Page Plugin

55 threads Sep 10, 2025 Plugin → Duplicate page

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Many WordPress users rely on the Duplicate Page plugin to streamline their workflow. However, like any plugin, it can sometimes run into conflicts or unexpected behavior. Based on community reports, here are some of the most common issues and their potential solutions.

1. Slug and Permalink Problems

Symptoms: The duplicated page's slug is blank, doesn't increment (e.g., 'slug-2'), or the duplicated page results in a 404 error.

Why it happens: WordPress core does not allow two posts or pages to have the same slug. The plugin is designed to handle this, but conflicts with other plugins or themes can sometimes interfere with the process.

Solutions:

  • Manually Edit the Slug: After duplication, simply edit the new draft and change the permalink slug to your desired name.
  • Resave Permalinks: Navigate to Settings > Permalinks and click 'Save Changes' without making any modifications. This often refreshes the rewrite rules and resolves 404 errors.
  • Check for Conflicts: A theme or plugin conflict might be preventing the slug from generating correctly. Test with all other plugins deactivated and a default theme like Twenty Twenty-One.

2. Page Builder and Formatting Issues

Symptoms: Duplicated pages made with builders like Elementor, Divi, WPBakery, or Oxygen appear broken. Content may be missing, styles might be stripped (e.g., CSS variables being corrupted), or only part of the page is duplicated.

Why it happens: Page builders store complex data in non-standard ways. An update to either the page builder or the Duplicate Page plugin can temporarily disrupt how this data is copied.

Solutions:

  • Ensure Everything is Updated: This is the first step. The Duplicate Page team has a history of quickly releasing compatibility updates (e.g., v4.4.5 for SiteOrigin, v3.8 for Enfold). Always make sure your WordPress core, theme, and all plugins are running the latest versions.
  • Make a Minor Edit and Update: Some users report that simply opening the duplicated page in the Elementor editor and clicking 'Update' is enough to trigger the page builder to properly render the styles and content.
  • Re-test After Updates: If an issue started after an update, check the plugin's changelog and support forums. A fix may have already been released in a subsequent version.

3. Creating Multiple Duplicates

Symptoms: Clicking the duplicate link once creates two or more copies of a page.

Why it happens: This is often due to a JavaScript conflict or error that causes the click event to be processed multiple times.

Solutions:

  • Click Only Once: Be patient and click the 'Duplicate This' link a single time, then wait for the page to process and reload.
  • Conflict Test: Deactivate other plugins one by one to see if the behavior stops. This can help identify the conflicting software.

4. Functionality on Mobile Devices

Symptoms: The 'Duplicate This' dropdown in the WordPress admin toolbar interferes with or replaces the standard 'Edit Page' pencil icon on mobile views, preventing editing.

Why it happens: The plugin's interface is primarily optimized for desktop use.

Solutions:

  • Use Desktop View: For full functionality, use the plugin on a desktop or laptop computer.
  • Use the Main Dashboard: Instead of using the toolbar icon on the front end, navigate to the Pages screen within the WordPress admin dashboard to find and duplicate pages.

General Troubleshooting Steps

If you encounter an issue not listed above, these broad steps can help identify the cause:

  1. Conflict Test: The most reliable method. Deactivate all plugins except Duplicate Page. If the problem resolves, reactivate your plugins one by one to find the culprit. Also, test using a default WordPress theme (e.g., Twenty Twenty-One).
  2. Reinstall the Plugin: Delete the Duplicate Page plugin from your Plugins list and install it fresh from the repository. This ensures no core files are corrupted.
  3. Check Compatibility: The plugin is confirmed to be compatible with PHP 8.1 and works with major page builders like Elementor. Ensure your server environment meets requirements.

While the Duplicate Page team addresses bugs, many issues arise from unique conflicts between plugins and themes. Systematic troubleshooting is the best way to get your duplication process working smoothly again.

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