BugWP logo BugWP
Back to Community
Home / Community / Plugin → Post types order

Troubleshooting Post Types Order: Why Drag & Drop Stops Working and How to Fix It

21 threads Sep 16, 2025 Plugin → Post types order

Content

If you're using the Post Types Order plugin and find that the drag-and-drop functionality has suddenly stopped working, you're not alone. This is a common issue reported by many users. The problem can manifest in several ways: the drag handle disappears, items won't stay in their new position, or the order doesn't change on the front end of your site.

Why Does This Happen?

Based on community reports, the drag-and-drop feature in Post Types Order can fail for a few key reasons:

  • JavaScript Conflicts: The most frequent cause is a JavaScript error originating from another plugin or your theme. This error can break the plugin's scripts, preventing the drag-and-drop interface from initializing or functioning correctly.
  • Filtering by Taxonomy: A well-documented limitation of the free version is that the reordering functionality is disabled on filtered admin views. If you filter your posts by a category, tag, or any other taxonomy, the drag-and-drop UI will vanish. This is an intentional design choice, not a bug.
  • Mobile Devices: The free version does not support touch-based drag-and-drop on mobile devices. The feature is designed for desktop browsers only.
  • Autosort Setting: For the new order to be reflected on your website's front end, the 'Auto Sort' option must be enabled within the plugin's settings. If it's off, your changes will only be visible in the WordPress admin area.

How to Troubleshoot and Fix the Issue

1. Check for JavaScript Errors

This is the first and most critical step if drag-and-drop is completely broken, even on standard post list screens.

  1. Navigate to your post list screen in the WordPress admin (e.g., Posts -> All Posts).
  2. Open your browser's developer console:
    • Chrome/Edge: Right-click -> 'Inspect' -> Click the 'Console' tab.
    • Firefox: Right-click -> 'Inspect Element' -> Click the 'Console' tab.
    • Safari: Enable developer tools first (Safari Preferences -> Advanced -> Show Develop menu), then Develop -> Show JavaScript Console.
  3. Look for any error messages highlighted in red. These errors often point to a conflicting script.
  4. If you find errors, try to deactivate other plugins one by one and switch to a default WordPress theme (like Twenty Twenty-Four) to identify the source of the conflict.

2. Clear Your Browser Cache

Sometimes, an outdated version of a script cached by your browser can cause problems. Clear your browser's cache and hard-reload the page (Ctrl+F5 on Windows, Cmd+Shift+R on Mac) to see if this resolves the issue.

3. Verify the Autosort Setting

If you can reorder posts but the changes don't appear on your live site, ensure the 'Auto Sort' feature is activated.

  1. Go to Settings -> Post Types Order.
  2. Locate the 'Auto Sort' checkbox and make sure it is checked.
  3. Save your settings.

4. Understand the Plugin's Limitations

It's important to recognize the built-in constraints of the free version:

  • Filtered Views: The plugin will not work on any admin screen that is filtered by a taxonomy (category, tag, custom taxonomy). This is the expected behavior for the free plugin. The 'Post Types Order' team states that this functionality is reserved for their advanced, premium version.
  • Mobile Support: Drag-and-drop reordering is not available on touchscreen mobile devices in the free version.

When You've Hit a Limitation

If your issue is specifically related to reordering within a category or on a mobile device, you have encountered a limitation of the free plugin. At this point, your options are to:

  • Consider upgrading to the 'Advanced Post Types Order' plugin, which the developers confirm includes support for taxonomy-filtered ordering and mobile devices.
  • Search for alternative free plugins in the WordPress repository that may offer the specific functionality you need for your use case.

By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the most common causes of drag-and-drop failures in the Post Types Order plugin.

Related Support Threads Support