Troubleshooting
Common issues and solutions
API Issues
API Returns 404
Symptoms: API endpoints return "Not Found"
Solutions:
- Make sure the post is published (not draft)
- Check the slug is correct (case-sensitive)
- Verify permalinks: Settings → Permalinks → Post name
- Flush rewrite rules by saving permalink settings
Empty JSON Response
Symptoms: API returns {}
Solutions:
- Check if content was compiled: Dashboard → Cache Statistics
- Manually trigger compilation: Dashboard → Recompile All Content
- Check queue status: Dashboard → Queue Status
CORS Errors
Symptoms: Browser shows CORS policy errors
Solutions:
- CORS headers are automatically added by the plugin
- If still having issues, add to
wp-config.php:
header('Access-Control-Allow-Origin: *');
header('Access-Control-Allow-Methods: GET');Cache & Compilation Issues
Cache Not Populating
Symptoms: Posts not appearing in cache
Solutions:
- Check queue status in Dashboard
- Enable debug logging in
wp-config.php:
define('WP_DEBUG', true);
define('WP_DEBUG_LOG', true);- Check
wp-content/debug.logfor errors - Verify Action Scheduler is working (if installed)
Slow Compilation
Symptoms: Posts take long to compile
This is normal for:
- Large posts with many images
- Posts with many ACF fields (Pro)
- Posts with complex content
Solutions:
- Compilation runs in background - doesn't slow admin
- Increase PHP memory limit in
wp-config.php:
define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');Old Content Showing
Symptoms: API returns outdated content
Solutions:
- Wait a few seconds for background compilation to complete
- Manually recompile: Dashboard → Recompile All Content
- Check if WP-Cron is running properly
Authentication Issues
API Key Not Working
Symptoms: Preview mode returns 403 Forbidden
Solutions:
- Verify key is in correct format:
hb_xxxxx... - Check header name:
X-Headless-Bridge-Key - Regenerate key if lost (keys shown only once)
Rate Limiting
Symptoms: 429 Too Many Requests
Solutions:
- Wait for rate limit reset (check
X-RateLimit-Resetheader) - Adjust limits in plugin settings
- Use authenticated requests for higher limits
Pro Features Issues
License Activation Fails
Solutions:
- Check internet connection from WordPress server
- Verify license key format
- Contact support if key is valid but won't activate
ACF Fields Not Showing
Symptoms: ACF data missing from API response
Solutions:
- Verify Pro license is active: Dashboard → License
- Check ACF plugin is installed and activated
- Recompile content after activating Pro
Performance Issues
Slow API Response
Expected: <100ms, Should be: <50ms
Solutions:
- Check if using shared hosting (upgrade recommended)
- Verify database is optimized
- Enable compression for large payloads: Settings → Compression
- Check server location vs. client location
High Memory Usage
Solutions:
- Normal for compilation of large sites
- Compilation runs in background, not during requests
- Increase PHP memory limit if needed
Debug Commands
View Cache Statistics
wp eval-file wp-content/plugins/headless-bridge/test-helper.php stats
Test API Endpoints
wp eval-file wp-content/plugins/headless-bridge/test-helper.php test
Clear and Recompile
wp eval-file wp-content/plugins/headless-bridge/test-helper.php cleanup wp eval-file wp-content/plugins/headless-bridge/test-helper.php create 5
Still Having Issues?
- Check GitHub Issues
- Join GitHub Discussions
- Email support@headlessbridge.com (Pro users)