Visual Composer broken after 4.1 WordPress update

Well, it looks like you have finally included the correct file. I dowloaded the theme package from Envato less than 12 hours ago, and it still had the wrong file, but just this minute, it shows the correct version of 4.3.5

I will try it once I get home,

Weird.
The version of the theme I downloaded from ThemeForest on Dec. 19, has version 4.3.5 of the js_composer file

AH HA!!!

the version in here was v 4.3.5
Newspaper-tf/plugins/js_composer.zip

while the version in here was v 4.3.4
Newspaper/includes/plugins/js_composer.zip

so, some folks were not entirely crazy.

Yujp, I think they might have had different versions on the 2 options Themeforest gives you to download: “all theme files” and “wordpress installalle files only”.

I felt like i was taking crazy pills.

I always download the “all files” just because it’s easier.

I think the tagdiv folk were in such a hurry to upload a fix for WP 4.1 they missed that the first time out. Doh! 🙂

Dear tagDiv/Newspaper 4 staff
(and all those going through the same unexpected problems)

So why is it that if I bought Newspaper 4 yesterday… I am still stumbling upon the same problem??

We have tried everything and regardless of reading this last thread and others the problem has not yet been resolved.

The problem is once we have followed instructions and uploaded the Newspaper 4 on to wordpress, it seems that the WPBakery Visual Composer plugin does not load. When attempted the following comes up:

Installing Plugin from uploaded file: themeforest-5489609-newspaper-wordpress_theme.zip
Unpacking the package…
Installing the plugin…
The package could not be installed. No valid plugins were found.
Plugin install failed.

To find a solution we turned to the forum. We that discovered others were having the same problem. We hoped that because of this we would quickly find a solution. We attempted all the suggestions posted in this thread and nothing. The same results.

When your sales pitch is promising a 15 minute install, and it takes us a stressful 24 hours and still no joy I feel like that unless you can assist we are left with 2 options- (1) refunding the $58 due to the promised product not being delivered. We have paid but we have received a dud (2) someone from the Newspaper 4 team installs and sets up the theme at no cost.

We look forward to you either providing a solution to this unresolved problem, refunding our money or installing the theme for us.

A swift response expected and appreciated.

from frustrated and unimpressed customers

-Muchaneta and Mano

Dear tagDiv-team,

I’m afraid I still can’t get visual composer to work. When I try to activate it it keeps loading but that’s it. I had a fresh WP 4.1 installation and followd the guide from Chris. I’d really appreciate some help so that I can get my site started.

Thank you very much in advance,
Kai

One more thing I’d like to add: I can provide you with the URL and user credentials so you could have a look for yourself if that’ll help.

Hi tagDiv team:

It has been over 24 hours of trying to fix a problem that refuses to be resolved. Our only consolation is that we are not the only purchasers suffering this fate.

It is unfortunate that thus ALL your suggestions have not worked, and that we are still unable to use the product we paid for, so naturally we are getting quite frustrated.

We bought the theme because of its supposedly “easy upload”which is proving to not be the case! What is the next step? We cannot pay $58.00 for something that we are not receiving.

It would be great if you could assist. Maybe log into our account as promised previously and download the theme for us, since the problem lies with a plugin that we cannot, for all our trying, fix ourselves.

We would prefer to resolve this problem swiftly, but if that cannot be the case then we would please like to request a refund so we can invest the money in another theme. We are on a rather tight schedule to get our website up and running, so we would prefer to getting sorted sooner rather than later!

regards,

-Muchaneta & Mano

TagDiv should probably start offering a $20 install option for those who are unable to properly install Visual Composer.

You don’t install plugins by uploading the entire theme, fyi
Installing Plugin from uploaded file: themeforest-5489609-newspaper-wordpress_theme.zip

You install plugins by installing the actual plugin zip files found in the Newspaper theme folder under /plugins/ or in the similar folder found from download the “all files” option from ThemeForest.

So, if you upload the zip file and install each plugin one by one, it works.

If you unpack and upload the plugins individually by FTP (the best way to do it), guess what – it works.

It’s really up to you to learn how to manage your own WordPress site, and properly learn to install packages, zip files, or learn to upload individual folders via FTP.

“RTFM” on the WordPress.org codex to learn how WP works in detail.

But, really up to you if you want to blame the theme devs for not teaching you how WP works. Which is kind of crazy, in my opinion.

Chris, I agree, I would pay $20 to TagDiv to install Visual Composer, since it is proving to be the thorn in many sides.

As for blame, it is not a blame game, it is more of a “can we get this fixed please”.

BTW thank you for your advice that states “You don’t install plugins by uploading the entire theme, fyi”, maybe this something that should be said so you are aware, unless your point is that they made it and I missed it.

In any case I wait for their assistance for your matter.

Have a nice evening : )

🙂
try installing just the

Newspaper-tf/plugins/js_composer.zip

or, what works best is to unzip that folder, then FTP the entire folder to

/yoursite/wp-content/plugins/js_composer

If you’re trying to use the Envato tools plugin, punch yourself right now and stop (kidding). That has never worked right for us anywhere, anytime, even in an eggnog fueled dream haze (also kidding). 🙂

Also note you need to turn off any caching and CDN shenanigans before installing plugins, and you also need to fully eradicate any pre-existing js_composer folder, and *not* upload over the existing folder.

Maybe that helps somebody…. again, this is WordPress 101 folks.

Sorry if I sound like a crank. Worked most of the holiday and starting to sound like a bozo, I suppose.

Thank you Chris for your advice- much appreciated.

Suddenly we feel like there is light at the end of the tunnel (phew). I must say I always thought I knew enough about using templates to build websites because I have created a few, but Newspaper 4 has taught me that you can always learn more : )

All the best mister!

Chris, followed your instructions closely and eureka it worked. Many thanks in advance.

-M

Hello Lucian, Chris,

Thanks a lot for your help and patience. I just uploaded all files manually via ftp and that did the trick.

Kai

WHEW!!! Glad you folk got it sorted. I always do the updates via FTP now… it always works, while the WP panel installer is sometimes hit/miss.

I really need to restart my web dev blog ….. (!)

(I know, folks keep asking …. been super busy ….)

• This reply was modified 11 years by simchris.