Troubleshooting the 'moove_frontend_gdpr_scripts is not defined' Error

If you're seeing the Uncaught ReferenceError: moove_frontend_gdpr_scripts is not defined error in your browser's console, you're not alone. This is a common issue reported by users of the 'GDPR Cookie Compliance' plugin. This error typically prevents the cookie consent banner from appearing and functioning correctly.

This error occurs when a critical JavaScript variable, moove_frontend_gdpr_scripts, is not available when the plugin's scripts try to use it. Based on community reports, this is rarely a bug in the plugin itself but is almost always caused by conflicts with other software that optimizes or changes how scripts are loaded on a WordPress site.

Why This Happens

The 'moove_frontend_gdpr_scripts' object is an essential variable that is typically printed inline in the page's HTML by the plugin. It contains all the necessary configuration data for the banner to operate. The error appears when the plugin's main JavaScript file attempts to read this variable before it has been defined. The most common causes for this are:

• Caching & Optimization Plugins: Plugins that combine, minify, or defer JavaScript (e.g., Autoptimize, WP Rocket, WP Meteor, SiteGround Optimizer) can sometimes process scripts out of order, causing this dependency error.
• Theme or Plugin Conflicts: A theme or other plugin with aggressive optimization features or script handling can inadvertently remove or delay the inline script that defines this variable.
• Server-Side Caching: Heavy server-level page caching can also contribute to the problem.

How to Fix It

Here are the most effective troubleshooting steps, starting with the most common solution.

1. Check Caching & Optimization Plugins

This is the most frequent culprit. If you use any performance optimization plugins, follow these steps:

• Identify the Plugin: Temporarily disable all caching and optimization plugins. If the error disappears and the banner works, you've confirmed the source of the problem.
• Reconfigure Settings: Re-enable your plugins one by one. For the plugin causing the issue, look for settings related to JavaScript optimization. You will likely need to exclude the plugin's scripts from being combined or deferred.
• Common Exclusions: Try adding the following strings to your optimization plugin's exclusion lists for JavaScript processing:
  moove_frontend_gdpr_scripts
gdpr-cookie-compliance
moove
• Clear All Caches: After making any configuration changes, always clear your plugin, server, and browser caches before testing again.

2. Investigate Other Conflicts

If optimization plugins are not the issue, a broader conflict might be.

• Theme/Plugin Conflict Test: Temporarily switch to a default WordPress theme (like Twenty Twenty-Four) and disable all other plugins except 'GDPR Cookie Compliance'. If the error is resolved, re-enable your theme and plugins one by one to identify which one is causing the conflict.
• Check the Console: Other JavaScript errors on your site (often from your theme or other plugins) can break script execution and cause this error. Fix any other errors visible in the browser console, as they may be the root cause.

3. Review the Code Snippet (For Advanced Users)

In some older threads, a code snippet was provided to change how scripts load. While the primary solution should be addressing optimization conflicts, you can try adding the following to your child theme's functions.php file:

add_action( 'gdpr_cc_prevent_ajax_script_inject', '__return_true' );

This snippet enables a static method of script injection, which can sometimes bypass issues caused by AJAX conflicts. Warning: Only edit theme files if you are comfortable doing so and always use a child theme.

Conclusion

The 'moove_frontend_gdpr_scripts is not defined' error is almost always a conflict related to script loading order, most commonly triggered by optimization plugins. The solution involves identifying the conflicting software and configuring it to correctly handle the plugin's necessary scripts. By methodically testing and reconfiguring your site's optimization tools, you can resolve this issue and restore your cookie banner's functionality.