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Troubleshooting the Smush Setup Wizard That Won't Finish

23 threads Sep 16, 2025 Plugin → Smush image optimization – optimize images | compress & lazy load images | convert webp & avif | image cdn

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Many users find the Smush Image Optimization plugin's setup wizard to be a helpful introduction to its features. However, a common issue reported in the community is the wizard becoming stuck, particularly on the final "Finish Setup Wizard" screen where clicking the button or the "Skip this step" link does nothing. This guide will explain why this happens and walk you through the most effective solutions to resolve it.

Why Does the Setup Wizard Get Stuck?

Based on community reports and troubleshooting threads, this problem is rarely caused by the Smush plugin itself. The most frequent culprits are:

  • Plugin Conflicts: Another active plugin on your site is causing a JavaScript conflict that prevents the wizard's buttons from functioning.
  • Object Caching: Server-level object caching (common on many hosting platforms) can sometimes serve outdated data that interferes with the setup process.
  • Browser Issues: A simple browser cache or cookie issue can occasionally break the functionality of web-based wizards.

How to Fix the Stuck Setup Wizard

Follow these steps in order to identify and resolve the problem.

Solution 1: Check for a Plugin Conflict (Most Common)

The vast majority of cases are resolved by identifying a conflicting plugin. This is the most important step to try.

  1. Go to your WordPress Plugins page.
  2. Deactivate all your plugins except for Smush.
  3. Go to Smush in your dashboard and check if the setup wizard now completes successfully.
  4. If it works, you have a plugin conflict. Begin reactivating your other plugins one by one, checking the Smush dashboard after each activation.
  5. When the wizard gets stuck again, the last plugin you activated is the source of the conflict. You can then choose to keep it deactivated or seek support for that specific plugin.

Solution 2: Flush Object Caching

If you are on a host that uses object caching (e.g., Redis, Memcached), or if you use a caching plugin that includes object caching, this can be the cause.

  1. Contact your hosting provider's support and ask them to flush or clear the server's object cache.
  2. If you manage your own server or use a plugin for object caching, flush the cache through your plugin's settings or server management panel.
  3. After the cache is cleared, try the setup wizard again.

Solution 3: Clear Your Browser Cache & Cookies

This is a quick and easy step that can sometimes resolve the issue.

  1. Clear your browser's cached images and files. You can usually find this option in your browser's settings or history menu.
  2. Also, clear cookies for your WordPress site.
  3. Restart your browser, log back into WordPress, and try the Smush setup wizard again.

Solution 4: Check the Browser Console for Errors

If the above steps don't work, your browser's console can provide technical clues.

  1. While on the stuck setup wizard screen, press F12 on your keyboard to open the Developer Tools.
  2. Click on the Console tab.
  3. Look for any error messages printed in red. These errors can often point directly to the conflicting script or plugin.
  4. Searching for these error messages online can lead you to a more specific solution.

Conclusion

A stuck setup wizard is almost always a temporary conflict rather than a bug in Smush. By methodically working through these troubleshooting steps—starting with a plugin conflict test—you can quickly identify the cause and get back to optimizing your images. The Smush Image Optimization – Optimize Images | Compress & Lazy Load Images | Convert WebP & AVIF | Image CDN team has historically suggested these methods to users experiencing this specific problem in community forums.

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