Fix XML Sitemap Issue (Sitemap in HTML Format)

#173701
  • Resolved Eric Mellmer

    3 years, 1 month ago

    Rank Math free

    Hello,
    I’m having a unique issue with my sitemap that returns “Incorrect http header content-type: “text/html; charset=UTF-8” (expected: “application/xml”)” when plugged into an XML validator.

    As your rules say, I’ve combed through several past support tickets on the forums, and I tried the three step process that was most suggested: flush the sitemap cache, exclude the files, and delete & resubmit to Search Console. I also ran the site through an XML validator with no luck, as mentioned above.

    This did not work; the sitemap is still not submitting to Search Console. When I visit it, it redirects to a static home page on our site.

    I hope this ticket is not too redundant as I’ve been having quite the time trying to resolve this sitemap issue and using your support tickets to help.

    See sensitive data for user information. Thank you.

    -Eric

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
  • Anas

    3 years, 1 month ago

    Rank Math business

    Hello,

    Thank you for contacting Rank Math, and sorry for any inconvenience caused.

    Assuming you are using the latest version of all the plugins and the themes (please update if not yet), it would seem like a conflict with one of the plugins or the theme you are using.

    To determine that, please follow this troubleshooting guide:
    https://rankmath.com/kb/check-plugin-conflicts/

    Only the site admin would know and your users won’t be affected by this troubleshooting.

    We really look forward to helping you.

    Eric Mellmer

    3 years, 1 month ago

    Rank Math free

    Thanks, Anas. I’ve installed Health Check and attempted to enter Troubleshooting mode, but I am simply redirected to the Dashboard and my plugins are not deactivated. I don’t think clicking ‘Enable Troubleshooting Mode’ is actually enabling troubleshooting mode, and I’m not sure why.

    I haven’t seen this issue before so I’ll have to do some research and fix this before troubleshooting the plugins. Let me know if you have any guidance. Thanks.

    Reinelle

    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hello,

    Thank you for the update, and sorry for the delay.

    I’ve checked your sitemap, and it seems that it is redirecting to one of your posts. Please see the screencast in the sensitive data section. Could you please check if you have a static file sitemap_index.xml in your website’s root directory? If so, please delete that file as Rank Math will generate your sitemap virtually.

    If not, since the health check plugin is not working on your site, you can also create a staging site with the same issue as it seems that your site is currently live. This will also avoid your site getting any issues and recommend specific troubleshooting steps. Here is a guide that could be really useful for you on how to create a staging site: https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-create-staging-environment-for-a-wordpress-site/

    I hope that helps. Thank you, and looking forward to your update.

    Eric Mellmer

    3 years, 1 month ago

    Rank Math free

    Thank you for the information. I will work with my web host to get a staging site set up. Thanks again.

    Jaideep Asrani

    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hello,

    Thanks for getting back.

    Let us know when your staging site is ready for us to check.

    We really look forward to helping you.

    RankBot

    3 years ago

    Hello,

    Since we did not hear back from you for 15 days, we are assuming that you found the solution. We are closing this support ticket.

    If you still need assistance or any other help, please feel free to open a new support ticket, and we will be more than happy to assist.

    Thank you.

Viewing 5 replies - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

The ticket ‘Fix XML Sitemap Issue (Sitemap in HTML Format)’ is closed to new replies.