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Troubleshooting the WordPress 'Updating Failed' and 'Publishing Failed' Errors

44 threads Sep 7, 2025 Core → Requests and feedback

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Encountering an "Updating Failed" or "Publishing Failed" message in your WordPress dashboard can be a frustrating experience, especially when your site's content management grinds to a halt. This common error is not a bug in WordPress core but is typically a symptom of a conflict or configuration issue on your site. Based on community reports and troubleshooting patterns, here are the most effective ways to resolve it.

Why Do These Errors Occur?

These errors are often related to a breakdown in communication between your browser and the WordPress server. The block editor relies heavily on the WordPress REST API and admin-ajax.php functionality to save and publish content. When something interferes with this communication, the process fails. Common culprits include:

  • Plugin or Theme Conflicts: A plugin or your theme's code could be causing a JavaScript error or blocking the API requests.
  • Browser Caching: Aggressive caching, either in your browser or by a plugin, can serve outdated JavaScript files.
  • Security or Firewall Rules: Overly restrictive security plugins or server-level firewalls might block the necessary POST requests.
  • Database Issues: Corruption in your WordPress database can prevent data from being written.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

1. The Basic Checks

Start with these simple steps, as they often resolve the issue quickly.

  • Clear Your Browser Cache: Hard refresh your browser (Ctrl+F5 or Cmd+Shift+R) to ensure you are loading the latest JavaScript files from your site.
  • Try Another Browser: Test if the problem persists in a different web browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari) to rule out browser-specific issues.
  • Check for Console Errors: Open your browser's developer tools (F12) and look for any red error messages in the "Console" tab when you try to save. These errors can provide a direct clue.

2. Identify Conflicts with a Health Check

The safest way to test for conflicts without affecting your site's visitors is to use the Health Check & Troubleshooting plugin.

  1. Install and activate the Health Check & Troubleshooting plugin.
  2. Go to Tools > Site Health > Troubleshooting and enable troubleshooting mode. This will deactivate all plugins and switch to a default theme only for you, while your visitors see the site normally.
  3. While in troubleshooting mode, try to edit and update a page. If it works, you know the problem is caused by a plugin or your theme.
  4. From the troubleshooting admin bar menu, re-enable your plugins one by one, testing after each one, until the error returns. This will identify the conflicting plugin.
  5. Finally, switch back to your theme to test it. If the error returns only when your theme is active, you should contact your theme's support for assistance.

3. Check Security and Firewall Settings

If troubleshooting mode didn't reveal a conflict, the issue might be at the server or security level.

  • Temporarily Disable Security Plugins: If you use a security plugin (e.g., Wordfence, iThemes Security), temporarily disable it and try to update a page again. If it works, carefully review the plugin's settings for any rules that might block REST API or admin-ajax requests.
  • Server Firewall: Contact your web host and ask if their server firewall might be blocking POST requests to the WordPress admin or the REST API (/wp-json/).

4. A Temporary Workaround: The Classic Editor

As a temporary measure to keep your site functional while you investigate, you can install the Classic Editor plugin. This bypasses the block editor entirely, and many users have reported that it resolves the immediate "Updating Failed" problem, allowing them to continue managing content.

Conclusion

The "Updating Failed" error is almost always solvable through systematic troubleshooting. The most common fix is identifying and resolving a conflict with a plugin or theme. By using the Health Check plugin's troubleshooting mode, you can safely pinpoint the cause without disrupting your live website. If the problem persists after these steps, the 'Requests and Feedback' community forums are a valuable resource where you can share specific details about your error for more targeted help.

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