Lesson 7 – Debugging common issues in MainWP Add-ons

MainWP is a powerful tool for managing multiple WordPress sites from one central dashboard. Its add-ons offer additional functionality, but like any software, they can encounter issues. Here are some common problems with MainWP add-ons and how to debug them:

1. Plugin Conflicts: Sometimes, other plugins installed on your WordPress sites can conflict with MainWP Add-ons. Try deactivating other plugins one by one to identify if there’s a conflict. You can also switch to a default theme temporarily to rule out any theme-related issues.
2. Slow Performance: If your MainWP Dashboard or add-on is running slowly, check your server’s resources. Ensure that your server meets the minimum requirements for running MainWP and that there are no other processes consuming excessive resources.
3. Error Messages: Pay attention to any error messages that appear in your MainWP Dashboard or add-on settings. These messages often provide clues about what’s causing the issue. You can search for these error messages online or contact MainWP support for assistance.
4. Logs: MainWP and its add-ons usually have logging capabilities that can help you diagnose problems. Check the logs for any error messages or warnings that might indicate what’s going wrong. You can usually find these logs within the MainWP Dashboard or in the add-on settings.
5. Caching: If you’re using any caching plugins or server-level caching, try clearing the cache or temporarily disabling caching to see if it resolves the issue. Caching can sometimes interfere with the proper functioning of MainWP add-ons.
6. Check Documentation and Forums: MainWP has extensive documentation and an active community forum where you can often find solutions to common issues. Before diving deep into debugging on your own, it’s worth checking these resources to see if others have encountered and solved similar problems.
7. Update Everything: Ensure that your WordPress sites, MainWP Dashboard, and all add-ons are updated to the latest versions. Developers often release updates to address bugs and improve compatibility, so running outdated software could be the root cause of your issues.

If you’ve exhausted these troubleshooting steps and are still experiencing problems, reaching out to MainWP support or posting in their community forums for assistance would be the next best step.

In the next Lesson we will be talking about Packaging and distributing your add-on.