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Troubleshooting The Events Calendar CSV Import Issues: From Duplicates to Missing Images

12 threads Sep 16, 2025 Plugin → The events calendar

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Common CSV Import Challenges in The Events Calendar

Many WordPress users rely on The Events Calendar plugin to manage their events, but CSV imports can sometimes present frustrating issues. Based on community reports, common problems include events not appearing after import, duplicate events being created, featured images failing to import, and preview functionality breaking after updates.

Why Do These Import Issues Occur?

Several factors can contribute to CSV import problems:

  • Plugin Conflicts: Other plugins may interfere with The Events Calendar's import functionality
  • Data Formatting Issues: Improperly formatted CSV files can cause import failures
  • Version Compatibility: Updates to WordPress or The Events Calendar may temporarily break functionality
  • Identifier Changes: When event unique identifiers change in the source file, duplicates may be created instead of updates
  • Image Path Problems: Featured images may fail to import due to incorrect file paths or formatting

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

1. Basic Checks First

Before diving into complex solutions, start with these basic steps:

  • Update The Events Calendar to the latest version
  • Ensure WordPress is updated to the current version
  • Check for and resolve any plugin conflicts by temporarily disabling other plugins
  • Verify your theme compatibility

2. Resolving Duplicate Events

If your imports are creating duplicates instead of updating existing events:

  • Ensure your CSV file maintains consistent unique identifiers for each event
  • Check that the import settings are configured to update existing events rather than create new ones
  • Manually clean up duplicate events in the database before reattempting import

3. Fixing Missing Featured Images

When featured images fail to import:

  • Verify image URLs in your CSV are fully qualified (e.g., https://yourdomain.com/path/to/image.jpg)
  • Ensure images are accessible and not behind authentication
  • Check that file permissions allow WordPress to download and process images
  • Test with different image formats (JPG, PNG) to identify format-specific issues

4. Addressing Preview and Import Failures

If the import preview fails or imports don't complete:

  • Check your server's error logs for specific PHP errors
  • Verify that your CSV file is properly formatted with correct column headers
  • Ensure your server meets the plugin's system requirements
  • Consider temporarily rolling back to a previous stable version if recent updates caused the issue

5. Handling iCal/ICS Import Issues

For those converting from other calendar systems:

  • Use reliable third-party tools to convert ICS files to CSV format
  • Verify the converted CSV maintains all necessary event data
  • Test with a small subset of events before attempting full migration

When to Seek Additional Help

If these troubleshooting steps don't resolve your issues, consider these additional resources:

  • Check The Events Calendar's knowledge base for specific import guides
  • Review the plugin's developer documentation for advanced customization options
  • Search the WordPress support forums for similar issues and solutions

Remember that import issues can often be resolved through careful attention to data formatting, regular plugin maintenance, and systematic troubleshooting. Many users have successfully resolved these problems by methodically working through the steps outlined above.

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