Issue
WordPress sites that updated to the 6.11.1 plugin were showing code on pages and not functioning properly. The issue occurred from around 1pm to 7pm for 90% of affected sites. Some sites required cache clears which were not found and manually fixed until the following morning.
Reason
The plugin that was released was missing a file due to an error in the zip software. WordPress was then turning the software plugin off, causing the code to display.
Solution
We were able to update the plugin and push it out to all sites. Some sites still required a manual purge of the server cache. Some users may have to clear their browser cache as well.
Our plan to reduce our mistakes
We've put together a procedure to keep this from happening in the future before releasing a new version.
- First we install on one of our sites and test for a week .
- Next we install it on our master site so all new installs will use it for a week.
- Lastly we try it on a limited group of live sites and if all is well we release to all sites.
How to check and fix the issue if you are still experiencing it
- First login to your WordPress site. If the plugin is disabled, you will have to manually type in your login credentials. If you aren't automatically logged in, go to your home page, type '/wp-admin' after it in the url, and then hit enter. You will be able to manually login now.
- Make sure you are not using the bad plugin version. It should not say version 6.11.1.
- If you are using a good plugin, skip to step XX.
- If you are using the bad version, delete it. Then download the latest version and save it to your computer.
- Next choose the 'Add New Plugin' from the menu, then 'Upload File', and then 'Browse' to find and upload the plugin file you just downloaded.
- When the install finishes, make sure you activate it. There will either be a button below the install results or you can go to the installed plugins, find it, and click the link to activate it.
- Next clear your server cache. We do not recommend having more than one server cache active, but if you do, you will want to clear all of them. They will usually have a button to do this at the top of the screen.
- Now clear your browser cache. Keep in mind that anyone that visited your site while it was broken may have to do this step on every device they used. In time browsers will naturally update their cache, so not all will have to do this.
- You should now be able to visit your site and see it properly working.