Javascript Conflict Problems

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Last Updated on December 9, 2013 by Neil Murray

Contact Form 7 is a good WordPress community member in regards to it’s use of Javascript. It only loads it’s JavaScript where it is needed and only loads scripts required for the current page. It also plugs correctly into the WordPress architecture.

However there are many plugins and themes that are not so well written and a host of CF7 email problems can be due to a Javascript conflict with either your current WordPress theme or one of the other plugins you are using.

spinning-arrowA spinning arrow continuing to spin after submitting a CF7 form, is a common symptom of a Javascript conflict.

Switch to a WordPress default theme and see if the problem goes away. If it does, you’ve most likely got a Javascript conflict with your current WordPress theme.

If switching to default theme doesn’t help it could be one of the plugins you are using that is causing the problem.

Use Firebug or Chrome Dev Tools

Use Firebug or Chrome Dev Tools to try to find the conflict. See http://wiki.simple-press.com/installation/troubleshooting/plugin-conflicts/ for some general guidance.

You will need to be skilled at using Firebug or Chrome Dev Tools to find what is causing your Javascript conflict and how to resolve it. If that description does not fit you, you can learn about these extremely useful developer tools at the following links.

https://getfirebug.com/wiki/
http://www.evotech.net/blog/2007/06/introduction-to-firebug/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHbYpl1XFiM
http://www.tipsandtricks-hq.com/debugging-javascript-code-with-firebug-1899
https://developers.google.com/chrome-developer-tools/

Remember that a problem in one script can cause issues in another. For example, some jQuery errors can stop jQuery processing any more script, which can make the culprit hard to find. A jQuery error in one of your plugins or your themes javascript files can stop jQuery processing before it gets to the CF7 script.

Contact the developer of the plugin or theme developer causing the conflict

If you identify a conflict with a particular plugin or theme, you could write to the plugin or theme developer and suggest they might have a possible conflict with CF7.

CF7 is one of the most popular plugins in the WordPress Repository, so it makes sense for developers to deal with any potential conflicts.

Also if a plugin or theme conflicts with CF7, it probably also conflicts with many other plugins. It’s generally a sign of a poorly coded theme or plugin and one that people should avoid using.