Well, there is no doubt, WordPress always comes with new updates that allow users to develop incredible websites. But when WordPress 5.5 update was released, millions of users were facing breaking of site issues in WP 5.5. The problem occurred because of plugins and themes.

The error of broken sites was a bit scary, so in order to fix this problem, WordPress has released WordPress 5.5.1 on September 1, 2020. The new launch of WordPress 5.5.1 Fixes Millions of Broken Sites.

After the announcement of publishing a maintenance release, version 5.5.1. They also clarify why WordPress 5.5 negatively affected millions of websites. Further, they also informed us that the new version is specifically designed to serve as a patch to give time for plugin and theme developers to update their software.

Here’s a Quick Look at What Went Wrong Across in WP 5.5?

In their announcement, it was clear there were plenty of plugins and themes because of which error of broken sites confront millions of users. The name of those plugins and themes we’re listed into a spreadsheet. Here in the spreadsheet, they have also listed the notes on what the specific issue is for each plugin and theme. The message was provided to help software developers fix their plugins and themes.

However, the WordPress 5.5.1 maintenance release is designed to stop sites from breaking. While discussing the problems of the new version, they noted it was because of the global JavaScript objects. The global JavaScript objects were eliminated in the updated version WP 5.5 without being disapproved. So, they have added backfill in WP 5.5.1 for these globals to resolve the JavaScript errors.

There are so many users who are using this platform in different environments and for various purposes. So they have realized it’s their duty to come up with the solution that allows users to perform the task smoothly.

With that thought, they have made an announcement to fix the plugin issues of WP 5.5. So, for users who are facing such a problem, they have also given time duration to patch the code. All the Plugin and Themes developers are requested to get it fixed until March 2021. Otherwise, the failure to patch the code will let them face another round of site failure.

What’s More on September 1, 2020, WordPress 5.5.1 Announcement?

The mission is to eliminate the conflicting code and switch to using wp.i18n. They have decided to eliminate those codes in two major versions, so the conflicting code will be absent in WordPress 5.7.

Can you imagine how many websites were affected because of the new WordPress 5.5 update?

Initially, we were assuming it was about thousands of websites that got affected, but that was the wrong assumption. The correct count was reaching out to millions. The spreadsheet shows there were millions of websites that were broken. The reason why the patch was urgently released on September 1, 2020.

List of Plugins Previously Fixed

Among the list of plugins that affected the millions of sites are already being fixed. Some of them are as follows:

  • SiteOrigin Widgets Bundle +1 million users
  • Advanced Custom Fields +1 million users
  • Ninja Forms Contact Form +1 million users
  • Drag and Drop Form Builder

List of Other Plugins.

  • WordPress Gallery Plugin – NextGEN Gallery
  • Polylang
  • Child Theme Configurator
  • Simple Custom CSS and JS
  • Max Mega Menu
  • AutoTerms: Privacy Policy Generator
  • Cookie Notice Banner
  • Terms & Conditions Generator
  • YITH WooCommerce Wishlist
  • Ocean Extra
  • WordPress SEO Plugin – Rank Math
  • Meta Box – WordPress Custom Fields Framework
  • Hummingbird

List of Themes Hit by WordPress 5.5:

  • Astra +1 million users
  • Storefront +200,000 users
  • Hestia +100,000 users
  • Neve +100,000 users
  • ColorMag +100,000 users
  • Customizr
  • Hueman
  • Zakra

The list does not end up here, there are more other themes that were affected. WordPress has published a full list of affected plugins and themes. So if you are facing the same problem of braking site, then have look at the list. This will help you to know which plugin or theme on the list resulting in the problems.

Why Should You Update WordPress 5.5 to 5.5.1?

WordPress 5.5 has some shortcomings, so to overcome those drawbacks you can update it to 5.5.1. The WP 5.5.1 is launched to patch a wide range of bugs discovered in 5.5. The reason it called a maintenance update. So, there are no such bugs that the previous version had in it. You can download this new version 5.5.1 to solve the problem of breaking of site.

Wrapping Up

WordPress is the first choice for many people who wants to build a website. However, when they confront technical errors, leave them scratching their heads. This might leads to an increase in frustration among users. The reason why WordPress always tries to come up with new features and solutions to meet the customer’s requirement and solve their problem.

Hope this sort of information keeps you updated with what’s new in WordPress 5.5.1, and how WordPress 5.5.1 Fixes Millions of Broken Sites.