Use this guide when the Smart Form Builder editor does not start correctly—for example, the editor screen stays stuck, its toolbar never appears, or the browser reports that a script failed. If the editor opens normally but a saved form’s canvas is empty, use Why is the form editor blank? instead.
1. Confirm the site meets the requirements
- Check that the installed Smart Form Builder version is compatible with the site’s WordPress and PHP versions. Version 1.3.6 lists WordPress 5.9 or later and PHP 7.4 or later.
- Confirm that the plugin is active and that you are opening a form you have permission to edit.
- Reload the editor once after saving any work. Repeatedly refreshing a screen with unsaved changes can lose those changes.
2. Check browser errors and script requests
- Open the editor, then open your browser’s developer tools and choose Console. Look for red JavaScript errors or messages naming a missing dependency.
- Choose Network and reload the editor. Check whether the editor JavaScript or CSS assets fail to load, are blocked, or return an HTTP error.
- If a request is blocked by a security plugin, CDN, firewall, or browser extension, ask the site administrator to check that tool’s logs before changing security rules.
- Do not share a screenshot containing cookies, authentication headers, nonce values, form submission data, or other private information.
3. Rule out cache and compatibility conflicts
- On a staging site, temporarily disable JavaScript combine/minify/defer features and clear the relevant cache, then test the editor again.
- On staging, test with other plugins disabled and a default WordPress theme active. If the editor works, restore plugins one at a time to identify a conflict.
- After testing, restore the original plugin/theme and optimization settings. Do not run a conflict test on a busy production site without a safe maintenance plan.
4. Check server-side failures
If the editor request returns a server error, ask your host or site administrator to check the PHP/server error log at the same time. The plugin’s Smart Forms → Error Log screen is intended for form submission/validation errors and may not record a JavaScript boot failure.
What to share with your administrator
- The WordPress and PHP versions and the installed plugin version.
- The form ID and the approximate time you reproduced the problem.
- The exact safe error message and failed request status, with private values removed.
- Whether the problem disappears on staging after cache or plugin-conflict testing.
Screenshot to add: [Smart Form Builder editor loading with browser developer tools open]