A Reference Guide On How To Fix Issues and Problems with Divi
If you are a DIY website maker for your business or blog or a web designer or developer using Divi, chances are you have run into some problems. It’s software, it happens to them all, and it does not mean that Divi is bad. In fact, most of the problems with Divi are not related to Divi at all, even though they may seem like it on the surface.
#1. Clear Your Cache (Especially After Every Update)
Cache is files and resources that are stored locally in a browser or network to help your website page load faster by reducing the need to reload every single item every single time. It’s a great thing to have, but it can also be most common cause for any issues and problems you face while using the Divi Builder or Divi Theme. Here are some of the things you should clear as you diagnose a problem.
Clear your browser cache
Go to https://www.refreshyourcache.com/en/home/ and click on the browser you are using. From there, follow the instructions. Pro Tip: I use Chrome with this handy Chrome Extension.
Clear the Static CSS File Generation in Divi
Go to Divi>Theme Options>Builder>Static CSS File Generation and select “Clear”.
Pro Tip: I have found that this should remain off while building the site.
Clear any caching plugin
Most of you probably have a caching plugin. Check the settings or menu bar and see if there is a “delete cache” button. I use the SG Optimizer plugin from Siteground they have a “Purge SG Cache” button in the menu bar.
Clear the CDN cache
I use Cloudflare and it’s as simple as logging in, choose your domain, find the cache tab, and select “Purge All.”
Clear the cache on your WiFi router
This may surprise you, but it’s possible that your local network is storing an old version of your site and is causing problems. Check your app or instructions online to clear that. (This cause is rare. I would check other things before bothering with this one.)
#2. Enable Safe Mode
A good way to find out what is causing the problem with your Divi website is to go to Divi>Support Center and toggle on the setting for “Safe Mode.” Keep this on and go see if the problem is still happening.
Enabling Safe Mode will temporarily disable features and plugins that may be causing problems with your Elegant Themes product. This includes all Plugins, Child Themes, and Custom Code added to your integration areas. These items are only disabled for your current user session so your visitors will not be disrupted. Enabling Safe Mode makes it easy to figure out what is causing problems on your website by identifying or eliminating third party plugins and code as potential causes.
Often the problem is due to a plugin conflict. You will have to narrow it down and see which one is the cause. Try to remember the most recent updates or new installations and check those first. Ironically, you will need to turn off Safe Mode in order to test your plugin conflicts. The only way to narrow it down is to deactivate your plugins and re-activate them one by one, checking for the problem after each one.
#3. Update PHP Version
WordPress recently raised the minimum PHP version and it sent some people scrambling. Why? Mostly because the hosting accounts were poor, which resulted in unmonitored PHP versions. It is very important to be sure you are using the recommended PHP version with Divi, and you can find that in the Support Center. It will say something like, “We recommend 7.2 or higher for the best experience.“
#4. Upgrade To A Better Hosting Provider
Yes, this does come before steps #5, #6, and #7 (it should probably be #1). To be honest, most problems I see reported with Divi in the Facebook groups all are caused by cheap hosting (low cost but also just plain “cheap”). You get exactly what you pay for with cheap hosting.
You should definitely avoid the worst of the bunch. I no longer take clients using Godaddy, HostGator, or Bluehost because of the many problems it creates with Divi.
One of the best hosting providers for standard small business Divi websites is Siteground. They understand Divi and will even optimize your server specifically for the needs and requirements of Div if you ask. Their support is absolutely phenomenal, replying to chat instantly and to any ticket within 15 minutes.
Serious Divi users should absolutely check out Cloudways. Don’t expect the same hand-holding experience as Siteground, but with Cloudways you can get away from shared hosting and move to the cloud for the best speeds and performance.
There’s no excuse to have cheap hosting for a critical business asset like a website. If you want to take this seriously, I recommend using my affiliate links below and getting yourself some hosting that actually works with Divi. I’m an affiliate partner of Siteground and Cloudways because I have seen from experience how amazing their service is and I fully endorse them.
#5. Check the System Status
You need to make sure your hosting configuration is compatible with Divi. To do this, go to Divi>Support Center and look at the System Status. You can choose to show the full report or even copy the report to send to your web hosting or Divi support.
#6. Use the Version Rollback Feature
If you find yourself on a version with bugs, go ahead and use that super handy new feature to go back to the previous version. You can find this in Theme Options under the Updates tab.
#7. Contact Support
First determine as best as possible where the issue is, whether it is WordPress or Divi related. If the issue appears to be WordPress related, often your hosting support will help you troubleshoot and fix issues. If they don’t, see point #5 about new hosting.
If the issue is Divi related, contact elegant Themes support first. They will be able to know where the problem is and what steps to take next. Depending on what they find, they may refer you to your hosting provider.
Pro Tip: I usually go ahead and give the support agent what I know they will ask for before they ask. It could save you hours of time.
- Go to the Divi>Support Center and turn on the Remote Access toggle.
- Turn on the Activate Full Admin Privileges toggle
- Copy the support token
- Paste the support token in the support chat
- Copy and paste the admin url in the support chat (yourwebsite.com/wp-admin/)
Things To Avoid
- Don’t use notoriously bad hosts like Godaddy, Bluehost, iPage, etc.
- Don’t install the Divi Builder with the Divi Theme
- Don’t update right away. Let’s say version 4.8 comes out. Wait until 4.8.3 for example. This gives the developers time to address any bugs and issues with the bigger update.
- Don’t have multiple tools doing the same thing. If you have a plugin that minifies CSS, turn off the Minify CSS toggle in Theme Options.
- Don’t complain in the Facebook groups. Often the problem is one on this list, so be sure you have thoroughly completed all checks first.
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What hosting do you suggest to use with WordPress with Divi Themes
Hi Galo,
So far I only have two hosting companies that I recommend for Divi. The one is mentioned in #4 of the article above, which is Siteground. The other would be Cloudways, which allows you to use cloud hosting with Google, AWS, Digital Ocean, etc.
Nelson, this article has put my business and life back into gear. I’ve been running Divi on Bluehost for several years, but recently all my sites were suspended due to a phishing attack on just one site. (I can understand that, so it doesn’t spread throughout their server.) I’d been considering a better host for WordPress, and SiteGround (even with their ugly logo which undermines their credibility–I’m a logo designer) was in the lead with WPEngine. WPE is just too expensive, and SG sounded like a good choice–especially after a delightful, hour-long helpful chat with Nikol S, senior sales rep,… Read more »
Hey Chaz,
Your kindness is overwhelming, thank you so much for taking the time to share this! I do hope you have as great of an experience with Siteground as I have! Let me know how it all works out! Thanks again! 🙂
Just installed Divi and can’t see the theme builder in the left hand WordPress menu under the newly added Divi heading. User permissions have been confirmed and safe mode did not yield any improvements. Anyone have any ideas?
Hi Yoni, what steps have you completed? If 1-6 have been tried, then it would fall under #7.
This helped me. I was searching for a solution to a problem that I was unable to explain to even Google but here I found its solution.
That’s wonderful, Akram! I’m so glad to hear things like this! Makes it all worthwhile!
Relay helpful !
Thank’s for your informative blog.
You’re very welcome, Arman!
Very useful! Turning off static CSS file generation put an end to a frustrating 3 days of backwards & forwards with the hosting people, I wish we’d found your article sooner 🙂 Thanks
That’s wonderful, Sarah! I’m glad I could be helpful with that little trick!