WordPress Form Not Working? 7 Troubleshooting Tips to Fix It

As a WordPress expert with over 15 years of experience, I’ve seen countless website owners struggle with forms that refuse to cooperate. Whether it’s a simple contact form or a complex registration system, a broken form can be incredibly frustrating and detrimental to your website’s functionality. But fear not! This comprehensive guide will arm you with the knowledge and strategies to tackle the most common WordPress form problems.

Forms are the lifeblood of online interaction. They allow you to collect user information, build email lists, process orders, gather feedback, and much more. A non-functional form can lead to missed opportunities, lost leads, and a poor user experience. It’s crucial to understand the common causes of form errors and have a clear plan for troubleshooting them.

An Overview of WordPress Form Errors

Before diving into the troubleshooting tips, let’s understand the most common types of WordPress form errors:

• Form Not Submitting Correctly: This can stem from various issues, including plugin conflicts, incorrect form configurations, or server-side problems. Users may encounter unexpected behavior like the form freezing or not displaying a success message.
• Form Not Sending Notification Emails: This issue often arises from incorrect form plugin settings or SMTP configuration. You might not receive notifications about new submissions, leading to potential missed opportunities.
• Validation Errors: These errors occur when users attempt to submit a form but receive error messages indicating missing or incorrect information. These errors usually point to misconfigured form field settings or compatibility issues with other software.
• Spam Submissions: Even with anti-spam measures like CAPTCHA, some forms can still receive fake or spam submissions. Spam submissions not only clutter your inbox but can also slow down your website if left unchecked.

What to Do When Your WordPress Form Does Not Work

Now that we’ve covered the common types of form errors, let’s get down to business. Here are seven troubleshooting tips to help you get your WordPress forms back on track:

1. Update WordPress, Themes, and Plugins

One of the most frequent culprits behind WordPress form issues is outdated software. Software developers constantly work on improving their products through updates, fixing bugs, patching security vulnerabilities, and enhancing functionality. By keeping everything up-to-date, you ensure your WordPress site, including its forms, runs smoothly and securely.

To update your WordPress site, navigate to Dashboard » Updates. You’ll see available updates for the WordPress core, plugins, and themes.

Prioritize updating your WordPress core first. Then, update your plugins and themes, one at a time to avoid potential conflicts. After updating, test your form to see if the problem has been resolved.

2. Check for Plugin Conflicts

WordPress plugins are fantastic for extending your site’s functionality. However, sometimes they can clash, leading to issues with your forms. To determine if a plugin conflict is the culprit, follow these steps:

1. Go to Plugins » Installed Plugins in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Deactivate all plugins except for the WordPress form plugin you’re using.
3. Test your form. If it works, a deactivated plugin was likely causing the conflict.
4. Reactivate your plugins one by one, testing your form after each activation to identify the conflicting plugin.

3. Clear Cache

Caching is essential for speeding up your WordPress site. However, it can sometimes serve outdated versions of your website components, including forms. Clearing your browser cache and any caching plugins you use is crucial to ensure you’re working with the latest version of your form.

Refer to our guide on how to clear your cache in WordPress for step-by-step instructions.

4. Review the Plugin Settings

Incorrect form plugin settings can also cause form issues. Carefully review your plugin’s settings to ensure they are correctly configured.

For WPForms:

1. Go to WPForms » Forms Overview in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Select the form that is not working from the list.
3. Click Edit to access the WPForms builder interface.
4. Check your Spam Protection and Security settings to verify your spam protection measures.
5. Review the Notifications section for typos in email addresses and ensure you use commas to separate multiple recipients.
6. Go to the Confirmations section to check redirect links and ensure any thank-you messages are correctly configured.

5. Test Email Deliverability

If your form is not sending notification emails, the issue might be with email deliverability. Sometimes, WordPress emails end up in spam folders due to incorrect configurations of the default PHP ()mail function.

An SMTP plugin like WP Mail SMTP can significantly improve email deliverability. It provides all the features you need to solve issues like emails getting lost or being marked as spam.

Install and activate the WP Mail SMTP plugin and follow the steps outlined in our guide on how to fix the WordPress not sending emails issue.

6. Check Web Server Configuration

Outdated server software can cause compatibility issues with WordPress and your form plugin. Ensure your server meets WordPress’ minimum requirements.

For WPForms:

1. Go to WPForms » Tools » System Info in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Locate the Webserver Configuration section.
3. Compare the PHP and MySQL versions with the minimum requirements for WordPress. As of the latest WordPress version (6.6.1), the minimum requirements are:
• PHP: Version 7.4 or greater
• MySQL: Version 5.6 or greater (or MariaDB version 10.1 or greater)
4. If your server does not meet the minimum requirements, contact your WordPress hosting provider for assistance with upgrading your server’s software.

7. Contact Plugin Support

Despite your best efforts, sometimes your WordPress form might still not work. If you’ve exhausted all other troubleshooting tips, contact the plugin’s support team. Most reputable plugins offer support through their official websites, forums, or dedicated support portals.

For WPForms:

1. Log in to your WPForms account and select the Support tab.
2. Fill out the support ticket form, providing details about your issue, including the WPForms version you are using.

Bonus: Contact WordPress Emergency Support Service

If you’re still struggling to fix your WordPress forms, don’t hesitate to reach out to professional WordPress support services. Our on-demand WordPress support experts can quickly diagnose and resolve form issues, getting your forms back up and running in no time. We’re available 24/7 to handle any WordPress problem, ensuring a smooth and reliable online experience.

Contact our Premium WordPress Support Services today for assistance.

Conclusion

A malfunctioning WordPress form can be a major inconvenience, but with the right troubleshooting steps, you can usually resolve the issue quickly. Remember to start with the basics like updating your software and checking for plugin conflicts. If those steps don’t work, explore more advanced troubleshooting methods like reviewing plugin settings, testing email deliverability, and checking your server configuration. And if all else fails, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. By following these tips, you can ensure your forms are working efficiently and seamlessly, allowing you to connect with your audience and build a thriving online presence.

FAQs

Why is my WordPress form not submitting?

There are several reasons why your WordPress form might not be submitting correctly. Common causes include plugin conflicts, incorrect form configuration, server-side issues, and outdated software. Start by checking for updates, deactivating plugins, and reviewing your form settings. If the problem persists, contact your hosting provider or plugin support.

Why is my WordPress form not sending emails?

If your WordPress form is not sending notification emails, the issue might be with email deliverability. Incorrectly configured SMTP settings, outdated PHP ()mail function, or server-side restrictions can lead to emails ending up in spam folders or not being sent at all. Use an SMTP plugin like WP Mail SMTP to improve email deliverability and configure your settings properly.

How do I fix validation errors in my WordPress form?

Validation errors in your WordPress form usually occur due to misconfigured form field settings or compatibility issues with other software. Carefully review your form field settings, ensuring they are correctly configured and required fields are properly defined. If the problem persists, check for conflicts with other plugins or themes.

How do I prevent spam submissions on my WordPress form?

To prevent spam submissions on your WordPress form, implement anti-spam measures like CAPTCHA, honeypot fields, and spam filtering plugins. You can also use form validation to ensure users provide valid information, making it harder for spam bots to submit fake data.

What should I do if my WordPress form is not working after updating plugins?

If your WordPress form stops working after updating plugins, a plugin conflict is likely the culprit. Deactivate all plugins except for the form plugin and test your form. If it works, reactivate plugins one by one, testing your form after each activation to isolate the conflicting plugin. You might need to update the conflicting plugin or find an alternative if the issue persists.

What are some of the best WordPress form plugins?

There are many excellent WordPress form plugins available. Popular choices include WPForms, Gravity Forms, Ninja Forms, and Formidable Forms. Each plugin offers different features and pricing options. Choose the plugin that best suits your needs and budget.

How do I create a contact form in WordPress?

Creating a contact form in WordPress is straightforward with a form plugin. Install and activate a form plugin like WPForms, follow the instructions to create a new form, and customize it with the fields you need. Then, add the form to your page or post using the plugin’s shortcode or block editor integration.

Can I use a form builder to create WordPress forms?

Yes, you can use online form builders like Typeform or JotForm to create WordPress forms. These services provide a user-friendly interface for creating forms and integrating them into your WordPress site using their provided embed codes or plugins.

How do I get support for my WordPress form plugin?

Most WordPress form plugins offer support through their official websites, forums, or dedicated support portals. Contact the plugin developer’s support team for assistance with troubleshooting or technical issues.

Is there a free WordPress form plugin?

Yes, there are several free WordPress form plugins available, including Contact Form 7, Ninja Forms, and Formidable Forms. These free plugins offer basic functionality for creating contact forms, while paid versions provide more advanced features and support.

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