[Support request] the response is not a valid json response when saving widget

[ralph]

Good morning,

When I make an adjustment in the sidebar / widget I get the message: the response is not a valid json response. I’ve already disabled all plugins, but it doesn’t work.

[David]

Hi there,

that error generally means that there was a problem communicating the change with the server.

First thing to check is that the WordPress URL and Site URL are matching and correct in Settings > General.
Then check in Tools > Site Health to make sure there are no ‘errors’ warnings related to the Rest API.

If all good, then try rebuilding your permalinks by going to Settings > Permalinks and click Save Changes.

If the issue persists then next step is to remove any widgets / blocks you have in the sidebar. If that resolves the issue then one of those widgets may have included some invalid code.

[Natalie]

Hi,

I’am having the same issue with the sidebar widgets.

Things I have done already:
– Checked the WordPress URL and Site URL
– Check Site Health > All Good
– Rebuild Permalinks

I see Inactive widgets and wanted to delete these to see if this resolves the issue. But everytime I remove a Block and hit the Update button I get the error “There was an error. The response is not a valid JSON response.”. So I can not remove any widgets/blocks that I have in the sidebar.

I’am to remove all widget’s if there is an other way to do this.

Thanks in advance

Kind Regards,
Daniel

[David]

Hi there,

simplest solution may be to disable the Block Widgets so you can remove the offending widget.
This article provides the PHP Snippet to do that:

https://docs.generatepress.com/article/disable-the-block-editor-in-widgets/

You can always remove the snippet after clearing our the widgets if you want to use the Block Widgets

[Natalie]

Hi David,
Thank you for your fast respons and your great suggestion.

So I added to code into the snippet plugin and this converted the Widgets area to the regular non-blocks view.
There I remove all widgets (Inactive and active).

Then I deactivated the snippet code again.

I added a simple Headline block to Footer Widget 2, then clicked “Update”

Again got the error message

[Natalie]

When first going to “Appearance > Customize” and then “Widgets”, I there can add new block items without any issue.

When I go to “Appearance > Widgets” and try to add another paragraph block to the content I created via above, then the error appears.

[Natalie]

So mean while I have been trying to add the block back into the Widgets through “Appearance > Customize” and then “Widgets”.
But that realy is a nightmare.

[David]

silly question – if you go to Appearance > Widgets, in the Top Bar there is the List View button ( 3 line menu icon ) – can you open that and make sure there are no kinda hidden blocks in there, such as an empty container or group.

[ralph]

There are no silly questions, it’s only silly if you don’t ask

[Natalie]

Hi David,

I did check if there were any other item under other Widget Area’s, there were non.

I removed the stuff I added back in today and checked the List View button, the Widget Area’s are all empty.
Tried to add something here but got the error again.

I also disabled all blockediting plugins like GetWid, GenerateBlocks (Sorry) and some CSS widget color plugin.
Same result

Installed “Health Check & Troubleshooting” plugin, which disables all Plugin’s and switched to a default theme for my session.
Still same issue. (So it’s not a Generate Press issue)

Reinstalled the 5.8.2 update.
Issue still exists.

[Natalie]

So true

@Ralph did you manage to resolve this issue?

[David]

Natalie, if you want to create a new topic, and provide us a temporary admin login we can take a closer look to see whats going on.

[Natalie]

Sorry for the late response.

I just gave up on this issue.
I ended up makeing a footer with an Element.
Thanks for your help.

[David]

Glad to hear you found a solution!

[Author]

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