Update:
I have been testing out different posts, it seems like the error only occurs when I create a new post. On my published posts including drafts were created a while back, I have tested the plugin and it seems to be working correctly. I am unsure as to why this error only occurs when I create a new post, every time I add a focus keyword and click save draft the keyword disappears and my score goes back to default.
Hello,
Thank you for contacting Rank Math, and sorry for any inconvenience caused.
Please check if you are using a Firewall, as it may prevent saving the changes.
If you are using a Firewall, please whitelist this route:
/wp-json/rankmath/v1/updateMeta
Whitelisting the route should fix the issue.
You can check this link for more information:
https://rankmath.com/kb/meta-data-not-saving/#firewall
I hope this helps. Looking forward to helping you.
I checked to see if a firewall was causing the issue but, when I search my site /wp-json/rankmath/v1/updateMeta it does not show that it is being restricted by Ithemes.
Also, I created a new post to check if Rank Math would work, it seems to be working for the focus keyword but, when I edit the title through rank math snippet it does not seem to be saving and returns to the original title.
Hello,
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/
Here is a video you can follow as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcIWRhcUP2c
Only the site admin would know and your users won’t be affected by this troubleshooting.
If the issue persists, please edit the first post on this ticket and include your WordPress & FTP logins in the designated Sensitive Data section.
Please do take a complete backup of your website before sharing the information with us.
It is completely secure and only our support staff has access to that section. If you want, you can use the below plugin to generate a temporary login URL to your website and share that with us instead:
https://wordpress.org/plugins/temporary-login-without-password/
You can use the above plugin in conjunction with the WP Security Audit Log to monitor what changes our staff might make on your website (if any):
https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-security-audit-log/
Please do take a complete backup of your website before sharing the information with us.
We really look forward to helping you.
Hello,
I have updated the sensitive data as requested. Can you please check further?
Thank you.
Hi,
I have updated sensitive data as requested. I went through the troubleshooting guide but, the error still occurred even with Rank Math being the only plugin activated.
The problem seems to occur when I try to edit anything through the snippet section, once I click save draft any edits disappear which results in the SEO score going back down.
Hello,
I logged into your website’s admin area and tested by creating a new post but was unable to replicate the issue. Please have a look at the screencast in the sensitive data section of this ticket.
However, I was able to replicate the issue in your latest draft. It seems the like the updateMeta route is indeed getting blocked. I’ve added a screenshot of a 403 forbidden error in the sensitive data section.
Though the restriction is not shown when accessing the route directly, I suggest you whitelist the route mentioned by my colleague and see if that helps.
You can also reach out to your web host regarding this to ensure that no firewall/security service blocks the route.
Please let us know how that goes.
Thank you.
Hi,
I contacted my web host, they confirmed that the issue was not from their side. I am looking to whitelist the route mentioned but, I am unsure how to do it as the only security plugin I have is iThemes Security and it does not have a firewall section or whitelist section.
Hello,
I checked your website and noticed that you have CloudFlare active. Please try the following guide to whitelist saves in CloudFlare: https://rankmath.com/kb/meta-data-not-saving/#whitelist-rankmath-cloudflare
Hope that helps. Please let us know if you have questions.
Hi,
I followed the instructions above to create a page rule for (mywebiste)/wp-json/rankmath/v1/updateMeta on Cloudflare but, the error is has not been solved. I checked chrome dev tools and it is still showing the same error when I try editing or saving my latest draft.
Hello,
The login link that you have shared is expired. Please reactivate it or share a new login link so we can check this further. Please also share a screenshot of the rule that you have set in Cloudflare. You can use a tool like https://imgbb.com/ to share the screenshots.
Looking forward to helping you.
Hello,
I have updated the sensitive data as requested. Can you please check further?
Thank you.
Hello,
Please login to the website via FTP/cPanel and take a backup of your .htaccess file (under the root directory of your website) and replace it with the default WordPress .htaccess file. You can get the file contents here: https://wordpress.org/support/article/htaccess/
You can follow this guide to edit the .htaccess file:
https://rankmath.com/kb/edit-htaccess/
Once done, clear your website and browser’s cache and see if the issue gets fixed.
Alternatively, you can share the FTP logins and we will investigate this further.
Looking forward to helping you.
Thank you.
Hi,
I backed up my original .htcacess file and replaced it with the WordPress version. I also cleared the cache on both website & browser. But, the problem has not been resolved.
Hello,
I checked your website settings thoroughly and could not find a source of the 403 error. Please may you temporarily disable the Cloudflare firewall and check if posts start updating. If that does not work, please contact your hosting support as there may be settings on your hosting firewall causing the 403 error. In particular, please ask your hosting support to disable ‘mod_security’ on your server and check if that works.
Hope that helps. Please let us know if you have questions.
