Title: Javascript errors – don’t know where to start! Last modified: April 3, 2019 --- # Javascript errors – don’t know where to start! * [aprecelton](https://wordpress.org/support/users/aprecelton/) * (@aprecelton) * [7 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/javascript-errors-dont-know-where-to-start/) * Hello WP folk * I recently updated my WP website (WP, theme and plug-ins) and i found i couldn’t edit any pages. The 3-dot line that is clicked upon showed the option to edit but when I did, the option just closed and didnt open the edit screen. After doing the usual disabling plug-ins and using the default theme, no joy. Now for some reason my visual editor has disappeared, and can only edit in code, even though visual editor is enabled. However the text is white on white background unless i disable javascript in my browser. In this case the text appears in black. I opened the console and a number of errors have shown up but I havent the foggiest on how to correct these errors and if indeed this will sonve the problem. I would also like to bring back the visual editor as I am not fluent in html to be able to code the pages. * Many thanks in anticipation Adam PS; I have a screenshot of the console, but dont know how to post the image! If someone can tell me how, I can do so! Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 20 total) 1 [2](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/javascript-errors-dont-know-where-to-start/page/2/?output_format=md) [→](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/javascript-errors-dont-know-where-to-start/page/2/?output_format=md) * Moderator [James Huff](https://wordpress.org/support/users/macmanx/) * (@macmanx) * [7 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/javascript-errors-dont-know-where-to-start/#post-11385020) * Try adding `define('CONCATENATE_SCRIPTS', false);` to your wp-config.php file just below the `define('DB_HOST'` line. * To do so, access your server via [SFTP or FTP](https://wordpress.org/support/article/ftp-clients/), or a file manager in your hosting account’s control panel (consult your hosting provider’s documentation for specifics on these), and edit the file with a [plain text editor](https://codex.wordpress.org/Editing_Files#Text_Editors). * For details: [https://wordpress.org/support/article/editing-wp-config-php/#disable-javascript-concatenation](https://wordpress.org/support/article/editing-wp-config-php/#disable-javascript-concatenation) * To share a screenshot here: * 1. Take an image screenshot: [https://www.take-a-screenshot.org/](https://www.take-a-screenshot.org/) * 2. Upload it via Media -> Add New in your blog’s Dashboard. * 3. Click on the file in the Media library. * 4. Copy the File URL to the right. * 5. Reply here with the File URL. * Thread Starter [aprecelton](https://wordpress.org/support/users/aprecelton/) * (@aprecelton) * [7 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/javascript-errors-dont-know-where-to-start/#post-11389125) * Thank you for the rapid reply. I have managed to upload a screenshot, which shows the error messages on the javascript console. * [http://www.ahdentalcare.co.uk/v2015/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image-03-04-2019-at-21.31.jpg](http://www.ahdentalcare.co.uk/v2015/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Image-03-04-2019-at-21.31.jpg) * Dont know if this helps!! * I will try to amend the file you suggested. Many thanks again * Moderator [James Huff](https://wordpress.org/support/users/macmanx/) * (@macmanx) * [7 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/javascript-errors-dont-know-where-to-start/#post-11389157) * Yeah, disabling concatenate will likely fix that. 🙂 * Thread Starter [aprecelton](https://wordpress.org/support/users/aprecelton/) * (@aprecelton) * [7 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/javascript-errors-dont-know-where-to-start/#post-11390934) * Hello James! Me again. I have managed to edit the wp-config file and added the line you suggested but the page hasnt changed in appearance or functionality. I emptied the cache to see if that would help but no change I’m afraid. * Any ideas what to do next? Thanks * Moderator [James Huff](https://wordpress.org/support/users/macmanx/) * (@macmanx) * [7 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/javascript-errors-dont-know-where-to-start/#post-11392857) * First, please make sure that your browser is up to date: [https://browsehappy.com/](https://browsehappy.com/) * If it is not, please try updating your browser or switching to a different browser. * If it is, please do these two things: * 1. Try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies. * 2. Try with all browser extensions or add-ons temporarily disabled. * Please let us know how each step goes for you, and which browser (and version of) you’re using if you’re still having trouble. * Thread Starter [aprecelton](https://wordpress.org/support/users/aprecelton/) * (@aprecelton) * [7 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/javascript-errors-dont-know-where-to-start/#post-11393699) * Hi James. I have checked both my browsers are up to date (safari 6.0.2 and firefox 66.0.2) and I cleared the cache, history and cookies on both, and I have disabled the extensions and any plugins as suggested. However when I open the WP website and I try to edit a page, the visual editor still isnt showing, only the text editor, and the text in the box is still white. If I disable javascript the text changes from white to black but still no visual editor. * Any idea what to try next? thanks again, Adam * Moderator [James Huff](https://wordpress.org/support/users/macmanx/) * (@macmanx) * [7 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/javascript-errors-dont-know-where-to-start/#post-11394190) * The visual editor runs on JavaScript, so you need that. * Install and activate the Health Check plugin: [https://wordpress.org/plugins/health-check/](https://wordpress.org/plugins/health-check/) * What does it report for the REST API and your version of PHP? * Thread Starter [aprecelton](https://wordpress.org/support/users/aprecelton/) * (@aprecelton) * [7 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/javascript-errors-dont-know-where-to-start/#post-11401598) * Hi James * Sorry for the dealy in answering (been away for a few days!) * The REST API report says the REST API is available. * The version of PHP says 7.1.22 (Supports 64bit values). * Any more info needed? thanks. * Moderator [James Huff](https://wordpress.org/support/users/macmanx/) * (@macmanx) * [7 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/javascript-errors-dont-know-where-to-start/#post-11401603) * Hm, ok so to recap you’re still seeing this with no plugins active, using the Twenty Nineteen theme, with Firefox 66.0.2 and no browser add-ons enabled. REST API is available, PHP is 7.1.22. * Does that all sound right? * If no, then please try it like that. * If yes, then please try [downloading WordPress](https://wordpress.org/download/) again, access your server via [SFTP or FTP](https://wordpress.org/support/article/ftp-clients/), or a file manager in your hosting account’s control panel (consult your hosting provider’s documentation for specifics on these), and delete then replace your copies of everything on the server **except** the wp-config.php file and the / wp-content/ directory with fresh copies from the download. This will effectively replace all of your core files without damaging your content and settings. * Some uploaders tend to be unreliable when overwriting files, so don’t forget to delete the original files before replacing them. * Moderator [James Huff](https://wordpress.org/support/users/macmanx/) * (@macmanx) * [7 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/javascript-errors-dont-know-where-to-start/#post-11401607) * Oh, at any point were using the Gutenberg plugin? Even if it is currently deactivated or uninstalled? * Thread Starter [aprecelton](https://wordpress.org/support/users/aprecelton/) * (@aprecelton) * [7 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/javascript-errors-dont-know-where-to-start/#post-11401641) * Hi James. * I will retry the Health check with the parameters just to make sure. * I dont think I have used plugins for Gutenberg, as far as I can tell. * Thread Starter [aprecelton](https://wordpress.org/support/users/aprecelton/) * (@aprecelton) * [7 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/javascript-errors-dont-know-where-to-start/#post-11401649) * FYI I just tried the troubleshooting mode, using 2019, and disabled all plugins. * The page loads (according to the browser bar) but is blank from top to bottom. * Dont know if this helps. * Thread Starter [aprecelton](https://wordpress.org/support/users/aprecelton/) * (@aprecelton) * [7 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/javascript-errors-dont-know-where-to-start/#post-11401672) * Just to let you know I have downloaded the WP file as you directed, and I will plan to carry out the transplant tomorrow! * Thank you again for your help, and I’ll let you know how I get on. * Thread Starter [aprecelton](https://wordpress.org/support/users/aprecelton/) * (@aprecelton) * [7 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/javascript-errors-dont-know-where-to-start/#post-11414654) * Hello James * I have reloaded the WP program through my file manager over FTP, emptied the browser cache and tried the website again. The site loads ok so visitors can see it normally, but now when I try to edit a page using the WP dashboard, I have the same error I got when this first happened. The 3 dots are now visible, suggesting the visual editor is there, but when I click on the dots which should open the editor, they just close again. I have checked the console, and I have 7 error messages, saying Unexpected EOF, and Cant find variable errors. * Any idea what to do next? * Thanks, Adam * Moderator [James Huff](https://wordpress.org/support/users/macmanx/) * (@macmanx) * [7 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/javascript-errors-dont-know-where-to-start/#post-11414709) * At any point, did you also have the Gutenberg plugin installed? And, are you using Firefox? * If so, try clearing Firefox’s localstorage following the steps at [https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-gutenberg-editor-crashes/#post-11395980](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/wordpress-gutenberg-editor-crashes/#post-11395980) * This is sadly a compound of two bugs between the last release of the Gutenberg plugin and the Firefox browser. * The problem in Gutenberg is being fixed: [https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/14706](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/14706) * Meanwhile, clearing localstorage via conventional means should … clear localstorage. That is apparently not the case in Firefox right now, which is why you have to follow the more complicated method linked to. * A quick note, Gutenberg is now built into WordPress as of WordPress 5. The Gutenberg plugin simply adds new beta features that are being tested. It is no longer required to use the block editor. Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 20 total) 1 [2](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/javascript-errors-dont-know-where-to-start/page/2/?output_format=md) [→](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/javascript-errors-dont-know-where-to-start/page/2/?output_format=md) The topic ‘Javascript errors – don’t know where to start!’ is closed to new replies. ## Tags * [.js errors](https://wordpress.org/support/topic-tag/js-errors/) * In: [Fixing WordPress](https://wordpress.org/support/forum/how-to-and-troubleshooting/) * 20 replies * 3 participants * Last reply from: [Samuel Wood (Otto)](https://wordpress.org/support/users/otto42/) * Last activity: [7 years ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/javascript-errors-dont-know-where-to-start/page/2/#post-11422830) * Status: not resolved ## Topics ### Topics with no replies ### Non-support topics ### Resolved topics ### Unresolved topics ### All topics