If you encounter issues with PassiveWP beyond the specific cases we’ve covered, here are some general troubleshooting steps and support tips to help you resolve problems quickly:
1. Update to the Latest Version:
First things first, make sure you’re running the latest version of PassiveWP. Many issues might have been fixed in updates (check the changelog).
- Go to Plugins in WP admin, see if an update is available for PassiveWP. If yes, backup then update.
- After updating, recheck if the issue persists. New versions often patch bugs or improve compatibility.
2. Clear Caches:
If you have caching (plugin or server-level or CDN like Cloudflare):
- Clear your site’s cache after making changes or updates to PassiveWP. Sometimes the cache can serve older scripts or data.
- Also clear your browser cache or test in private/incognito mode to ensure you’re seeing fresh results.
- Example: if you changed a link prefix but a cached page still has old prefix links, you’d think it’s broken when it’s just caching.
3. Conflict Check:
Deactivate other plugins one by one to see if a particular plugin is conflicting with PassiveWP.
- Common culprits could be other affiliate or link plugins, security plugins, or anything that messes with the editor or APIs.
- If PassiveWP works fine when another plugin is off, reach out to both plugin supports with the conflict details or see if there’s a known conflict.
- If you’re on a staging site, you could do a quick conflict test by deactivating all except PassiveWP to see if issue resolves, then re-enable one at a time.
4. Re-Install PassiveWP (if necessary):
If a file got corrupted or something:
- Delete the plugin (this usually won’t delete your data, but make sure or back up DB).
- Reinstall a fresh copy from the PassiveWP site or WP dashboard.
- Activate and see if the problem is gone. (You might need to re-enter license/API info, but your product/link data should remain in the database).
5. Check PHP Version and Requirements:
PassiveWP might require a certain PHP version or WP version. Ensure your environment meets those:
- They likely need PHP 7.x or higher. If you’re on an old PHP, upgrade as needed (plus you get performance gains).
- WordPress version – ideally use the latest for best compatibility.
- If on multisite (which they say isn’t supported fully), be mindful some weirdness might occur.
6. Enable Debug Mode:
Turn on WordPress debug to see if any PassiveWP related errors appear:
- In wp-config.php, set
define('WP_DEBUG', true); define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);
. - Reload the page or action causing trouble.
- Check
wp-content/debug.log
for errors. Look for any mention of PassiveWP or its functions. - Errors could hint at what’s wrong (e.g., a function undefined if a file didn’t load, or an API error message, etc.).
7. Browser Console Check:
For issues in the admin interface (like a button not working or content not loading in PassiveWP settings):
- Open developer console (F12) in your browser, see if any JavaScript errors or failed network requests show up when you attempt the action.
- A JS error might indicate a script conflict (like maybe another plugin’s script interfering in admin).
- A failed network call (to an API or admin-ajax) could show an error response that gives clues.
8. Consult the Documentation/Support Center:
PassiveWP likely has docs (like this one!) and perhaps a support forum or email.
- Search the docs for keywords related to your issue.
- If a known issue, maybe an article exists. E.g., “0 products found – FAQ answer: check API keys”.
- The PassiveWP website’s Help Center or Knowledge Base might have troubleshooting guides.
9. Contacting Support:
If you need to reach out to PassiveWP support:
- Provide as much detail as possible: what’s the issue, steps to reproduce, screenshots, any error messages.
- Provide your environment info: WP version, PassiveWP version, PHP version, other major plugins/theme in use.
- If you already did steps like conflict testing or debug logging, share those findings. It speeds up the process.
- Support contact might be via their site or email (like [email protected], which might be for sales, but they likely route support from their website’s contact or helpdesk).
10. Time-Saving FAQs:
Some quick answers from PassiveWP’s FAQ
- Only Amazon Associates supported currently? Yes, for built-in integration. Future plans for more, but focus on Amazon for now.
- Need Amazon API keys? Keyless API provided for a limited time, after that yes, you need keys or subscribe to their service.
- Refund available? Yes, 14-day money-back guarantee, so if the plugin just isn’t working out, you can consider that (but give them a chance to help first).
- Lifetime license means no recurring fees. So if you have that, you’re fine on updates/support for the plugin’s life.
11. Error Specific Solutions:
- License won’t activate: Check firewall (some hosts block outgoing calls), and ensure no whitespace in license key. Contact support if license issues; they may reset activations.
- Products not updating: Possibly CRON jobs. WordPress cron might need a real cron if traffic is low. Ensure WP_CRON is running. If not, set up a server cron to hit wp-cron.php regularly.
- Multisite question: They said not supported, which implies if you try network activate, may not work right. Instead, activate per subsite and use separate license per subsite.
12. Patience and Backtracking:
If something suddenly broke, consider what changed recently:
- New plugin installed? WP core update? PassiveWP update? Hosting migration?
- Undo or address that change to see if it resolves (e.g., if you updated WP and PassiveWP hasn’t updated in a while, perhaps a compatibility bug — report to support).
- Keep backups before making big changes so you can revert if needed.
In general, treat PassiveWP issues like any WordPress plugin issue: eliminate the variables, gather error info, and either fix it or get help with clear data. The PassiveWP team wants their plugin to work smoothly for you, so don’t hesitate to use their support channels when needed. With systematic troubleshooting, you’ll solve most problems and be back to smooth sailing.