"Updating failed. The response is not a valid JSON response" Error

Today, had a bit of hard time trying to save and update my blog post. I keep getting this error message.

So I asked ChatGPT what it means and how to rectify the problem. Here's the response:

The error you're encountering—"Updating failed. The response is not a valid JSON response"—usually occurs when uploading media files, such as images, to WordPress. Here are some steps to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

1. Check File Permissions

Ensure that your WordPress site has the correct file permissions. Use an FTP client or file manager in your hosting control panel to verify:

• Uploads folder: /wp-content/uploads
• Permissions: Set to 755 for folders and 644 for files.

2. Increase PHP Memory Limit

The error can also occur due to insufficient memory allocation.

1. Edit your wp-config.php file.
2. Add the following line:

   define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
   

3. Verify Permalink Settings

Sometimes, permalink structure issues can trigger this error.

1. Go to Settings > Permalinks in WordPress.
2. Click Save Changes without making modifications to refresh the settings.

4. Disable Plugins Temporarily

Conflicts with plugins can cause errors.

1. Deactivate all plugins.
2. Try uploading the image again.
3. If successful, reactivate plugins one by one to identify the culprit.

5. Clear Cache

Clear your browser cache and any caching plugins installed on WordPress.

6. Update WordPress and PHP Version

Ensure your WordPress version and PHP version (at least PHP 7.4 or above) are up to date.

7. Upload File via FTP

If all else fails, manually upload the image:

1. Use an FTP client like FileZilla to access your server.
2. Navigate to /wp-content/uploads/ and upload the image.
3. Go to Media > Library and click Add New to select the uploaded file.

I disabled the Image Plugin temporarily and cleared cache. And viola! Problem solved!