JavaScript errors can interfere with essential WooCommerce functions like product displays, checkout, and form submissions. This guide shows you where to find these errors and how to begin troubleshooting them.
Note: This document is meant to serve as a helpful guide for advanced troubleshooting; however, the procedures described are beyond the scope of our support policy and we cannot provide direct assistance with implementing them.Â
If you would like to seek assistance from a qualified WordPress/WooCommerce Developer, we highly recommend Codeable, or a Certified WooExpert.Â
What is JavaScript?
↑ Back to topJavaScript is a programming language that runs directly in the browser, not on the server. This setup allows it to respond quickly to user actions — like adding a product to the cart or updating quantities — without needing to reload the entire page.Â
However, a single JavaScript error can interrupt these functions and impact other features on the same page. Understanding JavaScript’s role in your site can help you identify and resolve these errors effectively.
How does JavaScript work with WooCommerce?
↑ Back to topIn WooCommerce, JavaScript plays a key role in enhancing functionality on your site. Here are some common areas where JavaScript is used:
- Cart and checkout oages: JavaScript updates shipping methods and costs automatically when a customer changes their shipping address.
- Payment methods on checkout: It loads the correct payment options based on the customer’s billing address.
- Variable product pages: JavaScript loads variation images and stock availability when customers choose product variations.
- Add to cart buttons: It enables customers to add products directly to their cart from shop and category pages using AJAX, so the page doesn’t reload.
- WP-Admin product management: JavaScript powers product tabs, variation lists, and search boxes for products and categories.
If these elements aren’t working correctly — such as a spinner loading indefinitely or images not updating — there’s likely a JavaScript error causing the issue.
How to find JavaScript errors
↑ Back to topYou can use the built-in developer tools in most browsers to find JavasScript errors. Here’s a quick overview of how to access these tools in Chrome, Safari, and Firefox on both MacOS and Windows.
Chrome
↑ Back to top- MacOS & Windows: Open your WooCommerce site in Chrome.
- Right-click on the page and select Inspect or press Cmd+Option+J (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+J (Windows) to open the Console.
- Look for any error messages in red in the Console. These messages highlight JavaScript errors that may affect site functionality.
Safari
↑ Back to top- MacOS only (Developer Tools are not available on Windows): Open your WooCommerce site in Safari.
- Go to Safari > Preferences > Advanced and check Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- Open the Console by going to Develop > Show JavaScript Console or pressing Cmd+Option+C.
- Look for errors in red, which indicate JavaScript issues.
Firefox
↑ Back to top- MacOS & Windows: Open your WooCommerce site in Firefox.
- Right-click on the page and select Inspect or press Cmd+Option+K (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+K (Windows) to open the Console.
- Any JavaScript errors will appear in red text, showing where issues may be occurring on your site.
Using these tools, you can identify JavaScript errors and start troubleshooting effectively.Â
Here’s what to look for:
- GET or POST Messages: These messages indicate that something hasn’t loaded correctly from the server, like when order details don’t update or an image link is broken. While they’re usually just alerts about missing assets, they can be hidden in Console Settings > Hide Network if they aren’t causing a visible issue.
- White and yellow messages: These are typically HTTPS warnings or debug messages, which are mostly harmless and don’t affect site functionality.
- Red errors (excluding GET or POST): These messages point to actual JavaScript errors that can disrupt features on your WooCommerce site. Focus on these red error messages, as they’re most likely causing functionality issues.
How to interpret JavaScript errors
↑ Back to topJavaScript errors come in several types, with SyntaxError being the most disruptive:
- SyntaxError: This error means the browser can’t read the JavaScript code structure at all, stopping it from interpreting any JavaScript on the page. A SyntaxError in one plugin can even break JavaScript from unrelated plugins or themes, affecting your entire site’s functionality.
- Other JavaScript Errors: Errors that aren’t SyntaxErrors may only affect the specific part of the code where they occur. However, these errors often have a ripple effect, breaking other JavaScript features on the page as well.
Whenever you see an error, check the message to understand what’s causing it. A quick search can often help you identify the issue’s source and possible solutions.
Finding the source of JavaScript errors
↑ Back to topOften, the error message will display a filename in the top-right corner. Hover over this filename to see the file’s full path, or right-click and select Copy link address to view the URL. For example:
If the file path shows https://woostore.mystagingwebsite.com/wp-content/plugins/woocommerce-subscriptions/assets/js/variable.min.js?ver=4.9.5
, it’s likely that this file belongs to the WooCommerce Subscriptions plugin. If you encounter an error here, try disabling this plugin before performing a full conflict test.
Errors related to filenames usually mean there’s either broken code in the plugin or a conflict between different versions of a JavaScript library.Â
Using error messages
↑ Back to topIn some cases, the error message itself provides useful information about the issue. For example, a message from a payment gateway plugin might indicate that a country is not supported. Adjusting the country settings under WooCommerce > General Settings might resolve such errors without needing to disable the plugin.
When there’s no filename
↑ Back to topOccasionally, the error won’t specify a particular plugin but will reference general files like index or cache. In these cases, try the following:
- Disable caching and optimization plugins: Caching plugins often interfere with JavaScript dependencies, so temporarily disabling them can help identify if they’re causing the error.
- Perform a full conflict test: If the issue persists, disable all plugins except WooCommerce and switch to a default theme, such as Storefront, to see if the error remains.
- Check text widgets for JavaScript: Occasionally, custom JavaScript added to text widgets can cause errors. Review these widgets to ensure they’re not introducing issues.
These steps can help isolate and resolve the source of JavaScript errors on your WooCommerce site.
Questions and Support
↑ Back to topDo you still have questions and need assistance?Â
- Get in touch with a Happiness Engineer via our Help Desk. We provide support for extensions developed by and/or sold on WooCommerce.com, and Jetpack/WordPress.com customers.
- If you are not a customer, we recommend finding help on the WooCommerce Support Forum or hiring a WooExpert agency. They are trusted agencies with a proven track record of building highly customized, scalable online stores. Learn more about WooExpert agencies.