Cookies Blocked Error in WordPress? 6 Easy Fixes

Getting the “Cookies blocked due to unexpected output” error in WordPress is really annoying. If you are trying to login or want to give your users a good experience, this error can be quite irritating.

But don’t worry if you follow the right steps, fixing this error is not that difficult.

This guide will show you why this error occurs and what are the easy ways to fix it. Whether you’re an expert developer or just learning WordPress, here you’ll find everything you need to solve this issue.

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What Causes ‘Cookies Blocked Due to Unexpected Output’?

This error occurs when WordPress finds something that it did not expect and does not start sending cookies at that time. Cookies are important for login and user session. If the cookie process is disturbed, you or your users may be logged out of the site.

There are some common reasons that cause this problem:

• Space before PHP tags: If there is an empty space or line before or after the <?php or ?> tag in your PHP file, this error can occur.

• Plugin errors: If a plugin shows an error or warning at the wrong time, it can cause problems with the working of cookies.

• Theme issues: If your theme is not coded properly or is old, it can also cause this error.

• File encoding issue: If some files (such as functions.php) are saved incorrectly, invisible characters appear in them which can cause problems.

• Server settings: Settings of some hosting servers can prevent WordPress from using cookies.

Now that you know why this error occurs, let’s see how to fix it.

How to Fix the ‘Cookies Blocked Due to Unexpected Output’ Error

The good news is that these errors are not very difficult, their solutions are quite simple. Follow the steps given below so that you can understand the issue and solve it.

Check for Extra Whitespace in PHP Files

The most common cause of this error is extra space or empty lines in WordPress files especially functions.php or wp-config.php. Both of these are important files, and if there is wrong formatting in them, WordPress cookies stop working.

How to check and fix:

Steps:

• Use an FTP client (like FileZilla) or the hosting panel’s file manager to access the website’s files.
• Open the wp-config.php file and go into edit mode.
• Make sure there are no empty spaces, lines, or extra things before or after the <?php tag. If there are, remove them

Repeat the same process for your theme’s functions.php file as well

Deactivate All Plugins Temporarily

Sometimes a plugin works wrong, especially if it is not coded properly or has been updated recently. Such a plugin can give unexpected output. To find that plugin, follow these steps:

Steps:

• Open FTP client or File Manager and go to wp-content/plugins/ folder.
• Change the name of the plugins folder, like keep it plugins-deactivated. This will deactivate all the plugins.
• Now check the website to see if an error is coming or not. If an error is not coming, it means there is a problem with a plugin.
• Now change the name of the folder back to plugins. Go to WordPress dashboard and activate plugins one by one. After activating each plugin, refresh the website and see if the error is coming or not.

When you find a wrong plugin, either use its alternate plugin or seek help from its developer.

Switch to a Default WordPress Theme

Your WordPress theme can also be the cause of the problem. If there is any coding issue in the theme files, it can give unexpected output.

Steps:

• From the WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance > Themes.
• Activate the default theme of WordPress, such as Twenty Twenty-Three.
• Check if the issue is still there or not.

If the issue gets fixed after changing the theme, then the problem is in the theme. You will have to update the theme or check its code (start with the functions.php file)

Debugging with WPDEBUG Mode

If you cannot find the issue, turning on WordPress’s WP_DEBUG mode may help. In this mode, you may find errors, warnings, and notices that may be related to the issue.

Steps:

• Open the wp-config.php file via FTP or hosting file manager.
• Look for the line that says: define(‘WP_DEBUG’, false);. If you don’t find this line, add it below the database connection settings.
• Change this line to: define(‘WP_DEBUG’, true);.

Go to your website and view the error log. Note any warnings, errors, or notices you see and fix them.

When debugging is complete, don’t forget to set WP_DEBUG to false again so that users don’t see sensitive information

Get Professional WordPress Support

If you have tried all the steps above but the error is still occurring, it is better to take help from an expert. WordPress experts or your hosting provider’s support team can dig deep into your site and solve it.

These are some options you can try:

• Ask for immediate help from your hosting provider.

• Share your problem on WordPress support forums or online communities.

• Hire a professional WordPress developer who will check your site for errors and fix it

Preventing the Error in the Future

Fixing errors is only the first step. To avoid this problem again, follow the simple steps given below:

• Keep everything updated: Always update WordPress, themes and plugins to the new version so that there is no problem.

• Keep checking the site: Install plugins like WP Checkup or Sucuri which check the site repeatedly and let you know if there is any error or security issue.

• Use only good quality plugins and themes: Use only those plugins and themes which are made by trusted developers, have good reviews and get regular updates.

• Manage files properly: Do not edit important files like functions.php or wp-config.php directly on the server. Check on a testing (staging) site first.

• Make sure to enable backups: Use tools like UpdraftPlus or Jetpack Backup so that if something goes wrong, your site is backed up and you can fix it easily

Banish WordPress Errors for Good

Errors like “Cookies blocked due to unexpected output” can make working on your website difficult, but it is not a big deal. By following the above steps, you can solve this problem and manage your website well in the future too.

If you need help managing your WordPress site, follow our blog. You will find other simple solutions like this there. Bookmark this guide or share it with your WordPress friends so they can also avoid this problem.

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