If you are trying to load front end or backed of WordPress. Suddenly you see the message Action failed. Please refresh the page and retry. As message does not say anything what is this about and what you should do. This can be really confusing to resolve the issue. Since you keep updating your page again and again and you continuously see the message. This can annoy you a lot while you have no clue what to do.
As message states WordPress is trying to perform some action on your request. But because of security reason or any other reason action is not being completed. That’s why WordPress can only suggest you to refresh the page. If you know what action you are trying to perform and the message is popping out. Then you have to debug that action which you are performing.
In case you don’t know what action WordPress is trying to perform and message Action failed. Please refresh the page and retry. coming up in that case you need to do few things.
What Action Failed message is about mostly?
Do you know WordPress noncec? Before performing any action WordPress generate a Hash code and assign that to logged in user’s session. The lifetime of a none is upto one day by default. Which means if you left a page open 24 hours ago. That page might perform some task on load or refresh with help of query strings.
For example: Moving to trash, disabling notice, installing plugin and much more. As your nonce is expired in 24 hours that means you are not eligible to perform that task without going back and doing that again. So WordPress can regenerate a new wpnonce for you.
Also most noteworthy WordPress nonce is associated with the logged in user means if you loged out in a different tab or window. But you still trying to load or refresh page in a separate window. You are going to have this issue because your nonce is expired and you need to regenerate it.
How to fix Action Failed. Please refresh to retry.
First of all look up on address bar. Do you see anything like _nonce or _wpnonce? Remove that and then load the page. Recommended is go back to only wp-admin/ and then perform your action again. This will generate a new nonce and possible you get solution of problem.
As WordPress nonce hash is stored in user’s session. Which means its completely related to your hosting server not your browser side. Its right time to check that you have good Memory, post_max_size and max_upload_size.
Follow This post to increase your WordPress PHP memory.
How to update PHP upload_max_filesize, post_max_size, max_execution_time.
Once you have increased WordPress memory limit, and upload file size, post max size with max_execution_time. Now you can retry now your session should have enough space to save the nonce strings and work fine.
Please upgrade your system according to WordPress Requirements.
You should know WordPress continuously update its code and core to keep it secure and reliable. You should also make sure you are keeping your system upto date please check WordPress requirements. Now make sure you have all required systems to support your WordPress.
WordPress Site Health
You can also check WordPress site health by going to wp-admin >> tools >> Site health. The WordPress site health tool was launched in WordPress 5.2 version. The site health check shows critical information about your WordPress configuration and items that require your attention.
So its a good tool to make sure you are using all system as required and recommended.
No Success? Troubleshoot plugins.
So no success yet? Now you can troubleshoot the plugins. Open your FTP or cPanel file manager. Go to wp-content directory. Rename plugins to something like pluginsbck/ now try to run your website. Does it work? If yes that means you have problem with some plugin.
Now change back pluginsbck/ to plugins/ and try to reach wp-admin/ plugins where you can deactivate plugins one by one to see which plugin is making the problem. WordPress plugins do not delete your settings on deactivation but they do on delete so don’t delete them.
If you are unable to access your wp-admin/ Then you can rename plugins one by one by putting something like bck at end of directory and check again and again. Once you find out which plugin is making the problem then you can talk to its author or go to its support forum for helpful suggestions.
Troubleshoot Themes
If you have access to wp-admin/ Please activate default WordPress theme like twenty nineteen and see if problem went. Otherwise go to FTP or Filemanger wp-content/ and rename themes/ to something themesback/ If problem resolved then the problem is with your theme now.
Turn on Debug mode
Edit your wp-config.php from WordPress’s root folder then follow final steps below on this post below. Turn on debug mode so you can find more details about the issues you are facing. Try to find errors log in your FTP that can also guide you about problem.
//Turn on Debug Mode.
//Find following like in wp-config.php and replace FALSE with TRUE
//FIND
define('WP_DEBUG', false);
//And replace with
define('WP_DEBUG', true);Please find more ways to troubleshoot in our post The site is experiencing technical difficulties.
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