Cannot send/receive messages

  • Resolved nemirow616

    (@nemirow616)


    1 month, 2 weeks ago

    Hello, I am having trouble setting up the Simple Ajax Chat plugin on my website (thebarstooldiplomat.com/chat-room). Whenever I try to submit a message, it does not show up in the chat box. I tried it on multiple devices but it still did not show as sent. I have done the suggested steps of deactivating the other plugins for compatibility issues, clearing the cache, uninstalling and reinstalling, and even updating PHP. When I right-click and go into the Inspect menu, the Network tab shows 500 errors for GET and POST. Am I overlooking anything on my end or will I need to contact Bluehost for this?

    The page I need help with: [log in to see the link]

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 19 total)
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  • Plugin Author Jeff Starr

    (@specialk)

    1 month, 2 weeks ago

    Glad to help.

    Some web hosts give the sac.php file insufficient permissions. I was unable to view the chat form on your site, but I am *guessing* that is the reason for the errors. If that is the case, then yes you would need to contact the web host to modify the permissions so that it can be read by visitors.

    Thread Starter nemirow616

    (@nemirow616)

    1 month, 2 weeks ago

    I had the option selected so that only users logged in on the website could see and post to the chat. I deselected it so it should be visible to the public now. The issue still persists and Bluehost told me the file is under default permissions of 644.

    Plugin Author Jeff Starr

    (@specialk)

    1 month, 2 weeks ago

    Yeah I see the 500 errors now. First I recommend deactivating the plugin until you have a chance to investigate further. Then the best way to find out what is happening is to examine the site’s error log. There you will find reasons for the 500 errors. Ask your web host for help locating/viewing the error log if needed, they should be happy to help.

    Thread Starter nemirow616

    (@nemirow616)

    1 month, 2 weeks ago

    I checked the debug error log and contacted Bluehost support and managed to get it fixed. Turns out that the session save path did not exist and that downgrading the version of PHP I was on ended up fixing it.

    While this has solved the messages not being sent, now the messages are not being sent live. I have to refresh the page every time I submit a new message to see it.

    Thread Starter nemirow616

    (@nemirow616)

    1 month, 2 weeks ago

    I also want the chat to be on the sidebar so it is viewable from whichever blog post a user is reading. However, when I try to send a message through the sidebar it returns “WP Plugin SAC: Name and comment required. Please complete all required fields and try again.”

    Plugin Author Jeff Starr

    (@specialk)

    1 month, 2 weeks ago

    I just tried the chat box and it seems to be working normally in its current location. If it is not working for you, please reload the web page and try again.

    Thread Starter nemirow616

    (@nemirow616)

    1 month, 2 weeks ago

    On my mobile device the live chat works but the message will show up as “<<link>>” until I click refresh. New messages only show up on PC if I hit refresh after sending. Regarding the sidebar location, it still sends me to the “name and comment required” message even on mobile.

    Plugin Author Jeff Starr

    (@specialk)

    1 month, 2 weeks ago

    I can’t test on PC (don’t have one), but can tell you that, for this:

    “On my mobile device the live chat works but the message will show up as “<<link>>” until I click refresh.”

    That is the default behavior for links. When someone chats with a URL, the URL will appear first as <<link>> until the page is reloaded. Then any links will display as full URLs.

    • This reply was modified 1 month, 2 weeks ago by Jeff Starr.
    • This reply was modified 1 month, 2 weeks ago by Jeff Starr.
    Thread Starter nemirow616

    (@nemirow616)

    1 month, 2 weeks ago

    Just cleared my browser cache after testing in a different browser (was only clearing the WordPress cache), the live chat is working normally now but the <<link>> issue still persists. The messages that I sent do not contain URLs, and I disabled the “Linked Username” option in settings. The submitted message should show up instead of <<link>>.

    Plugin Author Jeff Starr

    (@specialk)

    1 month, 2 weeks ago

    I am unable to repeat the issue on default WP install. Can you provide an example of a chat message that results in <<link>> so I can take a look.

    Thread Starter nemirow616

    (@nemirow616)

    1 month, 2 weeks ago

    Before sending the message:

    View post on imgur.com

    After sending the message:

    View post on imgur.com

    After refreshing the page:

    View post on imgur.com
    • This reply was modified 1 month, 2 weeks ago by nemirow616. Reason: images did not post correctly
    Plugin Author Jeff Starr

    (@specialk)

    1 month, 2 weeks ago

    Yeah that is weird. It doesn’t happen on default WordPress, you can verify here.

    Thread Starter nemirow616

    (@nemirow616)

    1 month, 2 weeks ago

    Switched to the 2025 default WordPress theme but it still shows the message as <<link>> first.

    View post on imgur.com
    Plugin Author Jeff Starr

    (@specialk)

    1 month, 2 weeks ago

    Yeah it’s not happening on default WordPress, as can be verified via the demo (see previous link).

    Plugin Author Jeff Starr

    (@specialk)

    1 month, 2 weeks ago

    When you hover the mouse cursor over the <<link>>, what does the browser say for the URL?

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 19 total)
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