Are you trying to publish an article on WordPress but keep getting the Publishing failed error message? This error in WordPress can occur for several reasons, ranging from internet connection problems to REST API errors.
This error is most commonly found in websites using the WordPress Block Editor. When it happens, you won’t be able to publish posts or pages, which can be frustrating.
So, what causes the Publishing failed error in WordPress? What types of error messages might appear? And most importantly, how can you fix it? Find the full explanation in this article!
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Why Does the Publishing Failed Error Occur in WordPress
The Gutenberg block editor has become the standard for WordPress, replacing the classic editor. While it is a powerful tool, it does not mean WordPress users are free from errors.
One common issue that can occur whether you are using WordPress 6.5 or an older version is the Publishing failed error message.
The Publishing failed message appears when you attempt to publish or update a post or page but encounter an issue. This error often comes with additional messages such as:
- Publishing failed. You are probably offline
- Publishing failed. The response is not a valid JSON response
- Publishing failed. Could not update post in the database
These messages typically show up after clicking the Publish or Update button on a new post or page. It can be frustrating and disrupt your workflow, but do not worry because we will guide you through the solutions.
How to Fix the “Publishing Failed” Error in WordPress
If you are experiencing the “Publishing failed” error on your WordPress website, try the troubleshooting methods below to resolve the issue.
1. Check Your Internet Connection and Site URL
One of the most common causes of this error is a poor internet connection. If this is the case, you may see a message like:
Publishing failed. You are probably offline.
To fix this, ensure your internet connection is stable. A weak or interrupted connection prevents the WordPress editor from communicating with the server, making it impossible to publish your content.
However, if you have installed WordPress on a localhost environment, you do not need an internet connection to publish your articles.
Besides checking your internet, you should also verify that your site URL is correctly configured. If your Website Address and WordPress Address do not match, the likelihood of encountering an error increases.
To check this, go to Settings in the left sidebar menu, select General, and look at the Site Address (URL) and WordPress Address section. Make sure both URLs are identical, as any discrepancies can trigger publishing errors.
2. Disable All WordPress Plugins
If your internet connection and site URL are not the issue but you are still seeing the “Publishing failed” message, try disabling all plugins in WordPress.
To do this, go to the Plugins menu in the left sidebar, check the Select All box to choose all plugins, click Bulk Actions, select Deactivate, and then click Apply.
Now, try publishing your post again to see if this resolves the Publishing failed error. If the post is successfully published, it means one of the plugins is causing the issue.
To identify the problematic plugin, reactivate them one by one while attempting to publish a post or page each time.
If you find the plugin responsible for the error, you can report the issue to the developer or look for an alternative plugin, as there are many high-quality WordPress plugins available.
3. REST API Issues
WordPress relies on REST API to connect the editor with the server. If this communication channel is blocked or encounters an issue, you may see the following error message when publishing or updating a post:
Publishing failed. The response is not a valid JSON response.
To troubleshoot this, check if REST API is functioning properly using WordPress’s built-in Site Health Tool.
Go to the Tools menu in the left sidebar, select Site Health, and look for the section labeled The REST API encountered an unexpected result.
If REST API is blocked, you will see a message like this:
The REST API encountered an unexpected result.
The REST API is one way WordPress and other applications communicate with the server. One example is the block editor screen, which relies on this to display and save your posts and pages.
Review the error message displayed there. It usually provides details about potential issues that might be causing error with a message: Publishing failed. The response is not a valid JSON response.
4. Switch to the Classic Editor
If you are still experiencing the “Publishing failed. The response is not a valid JSON response.” error, try switching to the Classic Editor.
You can install the Classic Editor plugin in WordPress. Since the Classic Editor does not rely on REST API, it may help resolve the issue when publishing posts.
Once the Classic Editor plugin is installed, try publishing your post again.
However, if you encounter issues installing the plugin, check out our guide on common causes and solutions for WordPress plugin installation failures.
Have You Successfully Fixed the Publishing Failed Error in WordPress?
Those are some effective methods to resolve the Publishing failed error when trying to post an article in WordPress. If you encounter any issues, feel free to leave a comment below!
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Interested in working with us? Contact Tonjoo today!
Read related articles about WordPress, WooCommerce, plugins, and other website development topics by Moch. Nasikhun Amin on the Tonjoo’s blog.
Updated on March 18, 2025 by Moch. Nasikhun Amin
