Hello! After I figured out the issue, Simon confirmed it via email and told me to post the solution and links to the tutorials I created on how to resolve the issue.

The issue is double gzip compression. Bluehost is set to compress by default and then WP Super Cache also compresses causing the weird characters. Compression has to be turned off on one of them. I turned off Bluehost compression (cache control) in both the host and WordPress settings allowing WP Super Cache handle it. The website was restored.

The same issue can happen with any web hosting provider, cache plugin or if there are two caching plugins. Only one thing can compress the website at a time.

Links to tutorials for how to fix the issue:

Video tutorial: https://youtu.be/8q-bwsxF7FI

Written Instructions with Screenshots: https://melcompton.com/how-to-fix-weird-characters-on-your-website/

Thanks so much for an awesome theme and letting me help with this!

Melissa

Hi Simon,

I figured out what is doing it. I’ve tested it out on another website that I use Newspaper 12 on and it worked the same way. I am going to send you all an email with screenshots with the issue and resolution and then you can decide how to distribute.

Long story short… Double gzip compression from the web host and WP Super Cache…

You should get the email shortly…

Thanks,
Melissa