Have you ever encountered the frustrating “Updating Failed. The Response is Not a Valid” error while trying to save changes in WordPress? 😫 This common issue can stop you from updating posts, pages, or settings, disrupting your workflow. But don’t worry—this guide will walk you through the causes and solutions, complete with a video tutorial to help you resolve it quickly!
Why This Error Occurs & Why You Should Fix It
This error typically appears due to:
✔️ Plugin conflicts
✔️ Theme compatibility issues
✔️ JavaScript errors
✔️ Browser caching problems
✔️ REST API issues
Fixing it is crucial because:
✅ Prevents content loss
✅ Ensures smooth WordPress editing
✅ Improves site performance
✅ Avoids future update failures
6 Effective Ways to Fix the “Updating Failed” Error
1. Clear Browser Cache & Cookies
🛠️ How to fix:
Press Ctrl + Shift + Del (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + Del (Mac)
Select “Cached images and files” + “Cookies”
Click “Clear Data” and refresh WordPress
2. Disable Problematic Plugins
🛠️ How to fix:
Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins
Deactivate plugins one by one
Test after each deactivation to find the culprit
3. Switch to a Default Theme
🛠️ How to fix:
Go to Appearance > Themes
Temporarily activate Twenty Twenty-One
Check if the error persists
4. Check for JavaScript Errors
🛠️ How to fix:
Open browser console (F12 > Console tab)
Look for red error messages
Fix or report conflicting scripts
5. Flush WordPress Permalinks
🛠️ How to fix:
Go to Settings > Permalinks
Click “Save Changes” (no need to modify)
6. Verify REST API is Working
🛠️ How to fix:
Visit: yoursite.com/wp-json
If you see a “404 error,” your REST API is blocked
Contact your host or check security plugins
📹 Video Tutorial:
Prevent the Error From Happening Again
🔹 Keep WordPress, themes & plugins updated
🔹 Use a reliable hosting provider
🔹 Install a caching plugin properly
🔹 Regularly check for JavaScript conflicts
Final Thoughts
The “Updating Failed” error can be annoying, but it’s usually easy to fix! Try the solutions above, starting with the simplest (browser cache) before moving to plugins or themes.
Need visual guidance? Watch our step-by-step video tutorial included above!