WordPress Invalid Nonce – 10 Easy Fixes

Ever tried submitting a form on your WordPress site, only to get an invalid nonce error?

You’re not alone. This error can pop up out of nowhere, leaving you puzzled.

You might see it when you’re logging in, posting a comment, or even updating a post. It’s frustrating, right? But don’t worry, it’s a common issue.

A WordPress nonce is a security token used to verify actions on your site. It ensures that such actions are intentional and not malicious. When you submit something, WordPress checks the nonce for validity. If it’s outdated or missing, the verification fails, and you see the error. This often happens because of expired sessions, plugin issues, or cached old data.

Let’s explore how to fix the WordPress invalid nonce error. You’ll discover simple steps to get your site back on track.

TL;DR: Getting a WordPress invalid nonce error? Try refreshing the page, re-logging, or checking plugins and themes to fix it. For better security, get a reliable WordPress security plugin to protect your site.

1. Refresh the webpage

Refreshing the webpage might seem like a quick fix, but it often solves the WordPress invalid nonce error. When you refresh, your browser reloads the page with fresh data.

Sometimes, the error happens because your browser uses outdated nonces. By reloading the page, you clear these old values, allowing WordPress to generate new ones.

While you’re at it, check the URL to ensure it’s correct. A simple typo can cause issues, too. This easy step might just save you a lot of time.

2. Log out and log in again

Seeing the WordPress invalid nonce error while logged in? Try logging out and then back in. This simple action can help.

When you log out, WordPress clears old nonce values from your session. By logging back in, WordPress creates fresh nonces for you. This refresh often fixes the error, getting your site back on track.

3. Clear browser cache and cookies

The WordPress invalid nonce error might be due to outdated cache and cookies in your browser. These can hold onto old nonce values.

Close the website tab, then clear your browser’s cache and cookies. Once you’ve done that, reload the site.

This fresh start might resolve the error and help things run smoothly again.

4. Switch to a default theme

Premium or custom themes can sometimes cause WordPress to load outdated nonce values. This might lead to the WordPress invalid nonce error.

Switch to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-Two. Doing so can clear the issue by resetting the way your site handles nonces.

This swap could be the solution you need to fix the error.

5. Temporarily deactivate your plugins

Plugins can sometimes cause the WordPress invalid nonce error. This may either be due to plugin conflicts or a plugin simply stopping WordPress from generating fresh nonce values.

Try deactivating all your plugins to see if the issue resolves. If it does, reactivate each plugin one by one, checking for the error each time.

When the error returns, you’ve found the troublesome plugin. Consider replacing or deactivating it, and let the developer know about the problem.

6. Clear caching plugin cache

If you’re using a caching plugin, it might store old nonce values, causing errors. This is crucial if you use page builders like Elementor. These plugins save page data to reduce load times, and in turn, might store expired nonce values as well.

Clear the cache from your caching plugin settings to avoid that. This step is usually the same for most caching plugins.

By doing this, you refresh stored data, which could resolve the WordPress invalid nonce error.

7. Check your form plugin settings

Form plugins like Forminator or WP Forms control how forms load on your site. Incorrect settings when loading a form can lead to the WordPress invalid nonce error.

Check if your form plugin allows loading forms using Ajax. This feature loads forms dynamically, helping to refresh nonce values.

Switching to Ajax might resolve the error, ensuring smoother form submissions.

8. Tweak your caching settings

Tweaking your caching settings can help resolve the WordPress invalid nonce error. Try shortening the cache time, for example, to every 4 hours. This clears out outdated nonce values.

If the error happens on specific pages, disable caching for those pages only. This might fix the problem.

You can also turn off caching for logged-in users. Nonces get automatically cleared when users log out. If these options don’t work, try a different caching plugin to see if the issue disappears.

9. Replace WordPress core files

If other steps haven’t fixed the WordPress invalid nonce error, you might need to replace your WordPress core files. Sometimes, plugins or themes may accidentally modify these files.

First, back up your website to protect your data. MalCare is a great tool for this.

Download WordPress and unzip it on your device. Log in to your site using an FTP client like Filezilla.

In the main WordPress folder, delete the wp-config-sample.php and the wp-content folder. This prevents overwriting your current site data.

Use the FTP client to upload and replace the new WordPress core files on your server. This fresh start might solve the error.

10. Contact your web hosting provider

If all else fails, it’s time to contact your web hosting provider. They usually have WordPress experts who can help.

These experts can dive deep into your site to pinpoint the problem. With their help, you’ll have a better chance of fixing the WordPress invalid nonce error.

Final thoughts

Fixing the WordPress invalid nonce error doesn’t have to be a headache. Simple steps like refreshing the page or re-logging can solve the issue. Sometimes, it takes a bit more effort, like adjusting themes or checking plugins. If all else fails, replacing core files or contacting your host might be necessary.

For peace of mind, consider using a tool like MalCare. It offers powerful security and backup features. With off-site storage, your backups are safe and won’t slow down your site. Encrypted backups and an emergency connector ensure your data stays protected, even if your site crashes.

Additionally, MalCare’s smart firewall and robust malware detection help keep threats at bay. It even offers one-click malware cleaning and vulnerability scanning. Put together, MalCare is a helpful way to keep your site secure and running smoothly.

FAQs

What does invalid nonce mean?

An invalid nonce means that a security token used by WordPress is not accepted or recognized. This token checks if actions on your site are safe and intended. If the nonce is outdated or incorrect, you get an error. This can happen due to expired sessions, cached data, or plugin issues.

What is nonce validation?

Nonce validation is a security process in WordPress. It checks a special token, called a nonce, to make sure actions are safe and intended. This helps prevent unauthorized tasks on your site. By validating the nonce, WordPress ensures that only the right users perform certain actions, keeping your site secure.

What does expired nonce mean?

An expired nonce means that the security token used by WordPress is no longer valid. Nonces have a limited lifespan to ensure security. This lifespan usually ranges from 12 to 24 hours. Once this time is up, the nonce expires, causing errors if used. This can happen with old sessions or cached data.