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Troubleshooting the 'Settings validation failed. attributes: invalid_value' Error in Elementor

15 threads Sep 26, 2025 Plugin → Elementor

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If you've recently migrated a website or are using Elementor's experimental Editor V4, you might encounter a frustrating error that prevents you from saving any changes: "Settings validation failed. attributes: invalid_value.". This error can completely halt your workflow. This guide will help you understand why this happens and walk you through the most common solutions.

What Causes the "Settings validation failed" Error?

This error typically occurs when there is a mismatch or corruption in the data Elementor expects for a page or widget's settings. Based on user reports, common triggers include:

  • Site Migration: Moving a site from one domain to another can sometimes cause inconsistencies in the stored Elementor data.
  • Experimental Features: Using the experimental Editor V4 (also known as Flexbox Container experiment) has been specifically linked to this issue, especially after a migration where the experimental environment may not be identical.
  • Plugin or Core Conflicts: A recent update to Elementor, your theme, or another plugin can sometimes introduce a conflict that leads to validation errors.

How to Fix the "Settings validation failed" Error

Try the following solutions in order. It is highly recommended to create a full backup of your website before proceeding.

Solution 1: Regenerate CSS & Data

This is the first and least invasive step. It clears and regenerates Elementor's internal CSS files and data schemas.

  1. Go to Elementor > Tools in your WordPress dashboard.
  2. Under the General tab, click the Regenerate CSS & Data button.
  3. Wait for the process to complete, then clear your website and browser cache. Try editing your page again.

Solution 2: Switch to the Default Container (If using Editor V4)

If you are using the experimental Editor V4, the problem likely stems from container data. The safest way to resolve this is to temporarily revert to the standard layout.

  1. Go to Elementor > Settings.
  2. Click on the Features tab.
  3. Find the Flexbox Container experiment and switch it to Inactive.
  4. Save changes.

Important Note: Deactivating this experiment may change the layout of pages built with containers. You may need to rebuild those sections using the standard sections and columns. After deactivating, try saving your page. If this resolves the error, you have confirmed the experiment was the cause.

Solution 3: Use the Elementor Replace URL Tool

This is crucial if you migrated your website. Even if you used a migration plugin, Elementor's data might still contain old URLs that cause validation issues.

  1. Go to Elementor > Tools.
  2. Switch to the Replace URL tab.
  3. In the Old URL field, enter your old website address (e.g., http://old-domain.com).
  4. In the New URL field, enter your new website address (e.g., https://new-domain.com).
  5. Click Replace URL.

Solution 4: Check for Plugin Conflicts

A conflict with another plugin can sometimes cause this error.

  1. Deactivate all your plugins except Elementor.
  2. Try to edit and save the page in Elementor. If it works, the error is caused by a plugin conflict.
  3. Reactivate your plugins one by one, testing the Elementor editor after each activation, until you find the plugin causing the issue.

Conclusion

The "Settings validation failed. attributes: invalid_value" error is often tied to data integrity issues, especially after a site migration or when using experimental features. Starting with the CSS regeneration and URL replacement tools is the best first step. If the issue persists, temporarily deactivating the Flexbox Container experiment is the most reliable solution identified by the community. If none of these steps work, the problem may be more complex and require detailed debugging of the browser's console for specific JavaScript errors.

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