Recently one of our Softxaa WordPress Cloud hosting users reported a very unique issue with their WordPress installation. While writing a post, they cannot see what they are writing. Because the post editor’s writing was white. More importantly, all the visual editor buttons were missing and the ability to switch from visual to HTML wasn’t working.
In this article, we will guide you on how to fix white text and missing buttons in WordPress visual editor. If you’re looking for hidden buttons that you can see in screenshots on other sites, you’re probably looking for the kitchen sink. You need to click on the kitchen sink icon to see these other options like underline, copy from Word, etc.
Some of our users use the TinyMCE Advanced plugin to add various buttons that aren’t there by default. For the rest who are actually facing the problem of missing buttons or white text in the visual editor, then continue with this article.
What are White Text and Missing Buttons in WordPress Visual Editor?
The visual editor in WordPress is designed to simplify the process of creating and formatting content on a website. It offers a range of options for styling text, inserting media, and adding various elements to a post or page. However, sometimes users may experience an issue where the text appears to be white or the buttons within the visual editor are missing.
Why did White Text and Missing Buttons in WordPress Visual Editor happen?
Several factors can contribute to the occurrence of white text and missing buttons in the WordPress visual editor. Let’s explore some of the common reasons behind these issues:
- Plugin or Theme Conflict: In some cases, a conflict between plugins or the active theme can cause conflicts within the visual editor, resulting in white text or missing buttons.
- Outdated WordPress or Plugins: Using outdated versions of WordPress or plugins can lead to compatibility issues, which may affect the functionality of the visual editor.
- JavaScript Errors: JavaScript is an essential component of the visual editor. If there are errors in the JavaScript code, it can cause the editor to malfunction, resulting in white text or missing buttons.
- Caching Issues: Caching plugins or server-side caching can sometimes interfere with the proper functioning of the visual editor, leading to the appearance of white text or missing buttons.
- Editor Settings Misconfiguration: Incorrect configuration of the visual editor settings can also be a reason for encountering issues like white text or missing buttons.
Now that we understand the possible causes, let’s move on to the troubleshooting steps to resolve these problems.
How to Fix White Text & Missing Buttons in WordPress Visual Editor
If you’re faced with white text and missing button errors in your WordPress Visual Editor, there are several steps you can take to resolve this issue. By following these solutions, you’ll be able to regain control over your editing environment and ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience. Let’s explore the methods how to fix white text and missing buttons in the WordPress Visual Editor:
#Clear Browser Cache and Cookies
The first step towards resolving any website-related issue is to clear your browser cache and cookies. These stored files can sometimes interfere with the proper functioning of your WordPress Visual Editor. Follow the steps below to clear your cache and cookies:
- Open your preferred browser.
- Go to the browser settings.
- Locate the option to clear browsing data.
- Select the option to clear cache and cookies.
- Restart your browser and check if the issue persists.
#Disable Plugins and Switch to Default Theme
A conflict between plugins or themes can often cause the white text and missing button problem. To identify and resolve this conflict, follow these steps:
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Navigate to the “Plugins” section.
- Deactivate all plugins.
- Check if the issue is resolved. If yes, reactivate the plugins one by one to identify the conflicting plugin.
If the issue persists after deactivating plugins, switch to a default WordPress theme, such as Twenty Twenty-One. Test the Visual Editor functionality again. If the problem is resolved, your theme might be the cause.
#Update Plugins and Themes
Outdated or incompatible plugins and themes can cause compatibility issues with the WordPress Visual Editor. To ensure smooth operation, follow these steps to update your plugins and themes:
- Go to your WordPress dashboard.
- Navigate to the “Plugins” section.
- Update all the plugins that have available updates.
- Visit the “Appearance” section and update your theme if an update is available.
- Check if the white text and missing buttons in WordPress visual editor problem are resolved.
#Increase the Memory Limit
Sometimes, the memory limit allocated to WordPress can be insufficient, resulting in various issues, including the white text and missing button problem. To increase the memory limit, follow these steps:
- Access your WordPress installation files using an FTP client or file manager.
- Locate the wp-config.php file.
- Open the file and add the following line of code just before the line that says “That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging.“
define(‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);
- Note: You can adjust the memory limit value based on your requirements.
- Save the file and upload it back to your server, replacing the existing file.
- Check if the issue is resolved.
#Replacing TinyMCE Scripts
The WordPress Classic Editor is also known as TinyMCE. WordPress is the only platform that uses this open-source editor. Editor buttons may disappear due to a problem with TinyMCE files. To solve this problem, you can replace the folder with a new copy by following below steps:
- Download a fresh copy of the TinyMCE plugin on your desktop & extract it.
- Login to your file manager using FTP or HostPanel.
- Navigate to the public_html folder.
- Go to the wp-includes/js folder.
- Upload a brand new copy of the js TinyMCE file.
It should fix the white text and missing buttons in WordPress visual editor problem. If it doesn’t then continue to reading this article.
#Fix with wp-config
If none of the above techniques work for you, open your wp-config. php file and add the following line at the very top after the php opening tag ( <?php ).
define(‘CONCATENATE_SCRIPTS’, false);
This trick solved the problem for most of the users who reported this problem. We hope that one of the solutions listed in this article will solve your white text and missing buttons in the WordPress visual editor. If you find another solution that works for you, please share it with us.
#Fix JavaScript Errors
JavaScript errors can cause disruptions in the functioning of the WordPress Visual Editor. To fix JavaScript errors, follow these steps:
- Right-click on your website and select “Inspect” or “Inspect Element” from the context menu.
- In the developer tools panel, navigate to the “Console” tab.
- Look for any error messages related to JavaScript.
- Address these errors by deactivating or updating the respective plugins or themes causing the errors.
- Refresh your WordPress Visual Editor and verify if the issue is resolved.
#Reinstall WordPress Core Files
If none of the above solutions work, it’s possible that your WordPress installation files have become corrupted. To reinstall the core files, follow these steps:
- Back up your website files and database.
- Download a fresh copy of WordPress from wordpress.org.
- Extract the downloaded ZIP file on your computer.
- Connect to your website using an FTP client or file manager.
- Delete all the WordPress files and directories, except the wp-content directory and the wp-config.php file.
- Upload the extracted WordPress files to your website.
- Run the WordPress installation script by accessing your website’s URL in a browser.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
- Check if the white text and missing buttons in WordPress visual editor problem are resolved.
Conclusion
We hope you already understand how to fix white text and missing buttons in WordPress visual editor. The white text and missing button problem in the WordPress Visual Editor can be frustrating, but with the solutions provided in this article, you can troubleshoot and resolve the issue effectively. Remember to clear your browser cache and cookies, disable plugins and switch to a default theme, update plugins, and themes, increase the memory limit, fix JavaScript errors, or reinstall WordPress core files if necessary. By following these steps, you’ll be able to restore the functionality of your WordPress Visual Editor and continue creating amazing content for your website.
