If you’re using Divi, one of the most popular WordPress themes, alongside Autoptimize, a powerful performance optimization plugin, you may encounter JavaScript issues. These issues typically arise from how both tools interact with the JavaScript files on your site. Autoptimize, while fantastic for improving site speed by aggregating and minifying scripts, can sometimes cause conflicts with Divi’s built-in JavaScript. This can lead to design elements breaking, animations not displaying, or functionality like form submissions malfunctioning. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to resolve these JavaScript issues and make sure Divi and Autoptimize work harmoniously together for optimal performance.
Understanding the Conflict Between Divi and Autoptimize
When you enable Autoptimize’s JavaScript optimization features, it aggregates all your site’s JavaScript files into one, which is a great performance boost. However, Divi uses dynamic JavaScript files, and this can conflict with Autoptimize’s bundling and minification process. As a result, JavaScript errors can occur, affecting the visual layout and functionality of your website. These errors might manifest as broken sliders, form submission failures, or issues with Divi’s visual builder. The key to fixing these issues lies in understanding how Autoptimize and Divi handle scripts and how you can configure both to work together.
Why Autoptimize Affects Divi’s JavaScript
Autoptimize works by minifying and combining JavaScript files to improve load times. While this is beneficial for performance, Divi relies on multiple separate scripts to handle its design elements and customizations. When Autoptimize combines these scripts into one file, it can cause the scripts to load in the wrong order or with missing dependencies. This is particularly problematic when Divi’s JavaScript files depend on specific execution sequences. The conflict arises because Autoptimize doesn’t always recognize the interdependencies of scripts used by themes like Divi.
7 Common JavaScript Issues with Divi and Autoptimize
- Sliders not loading properly
- Broken animations and transitions
- Forms not submitting or validating
- Missing icons or design elements
- Visual Builder not working as expected
- Pages loading with JavaScript errors
- Unresponsive menu and navigation issues
7 Steps to Fix JavaScript Issues
- Disable Autoptimize’s JavaScript optimization temporarily
- Test the site to confirm the issue is resolved
- Enable JavaScript optimization in Autoptimize again
- Exclude Divi’s core JavaScript files from Autoptimize
- Clear your site and browser cache
- Use Autoptimize’s additional settings for Divi compatibility
- Re-enable other Autoptimize features, such as CSS and HTML optimization
Disabling Autoptimize’s JavaScript Optimization
The first step in troubleshooting JavaScript issues between Divi and Autoptimize is to temporarily disable the JavaScript optimization feature in Autoptimize. Go to the Autoptimize settings in your WordPress dashboard and uncheck the box for JavaScript optimization. This will disable the bundling and minification of JavaScript files, which might reveal whether Autoptimize is the cause of the problem. After disabling this setting, check your website to see if the JavaScript errors are resolved. If the issues go away, it’s a sign that Autoptimize’s minification is interfering with Divi’s scripts.
Excluding Divi’s JavaScript Files from Autoptimize
Once you’ve identified that Autoptimize is the source of the JavaScript issues, you can configure it to exclude Divi’s core JavaScript files from the minification process. To do this, navigate to the Autoptimize settings and locate the “Exclude scripts from Autoptimize” section. Add the specific Divi JavaScript files that are causing the conflict to this exclusion list. These files typically include scripts related to Divi’s sliders, form validation, and builder tools. By excluding these files, you allow them to load as they were originally intended without interference from Autoptimize.
7 Divi Files to Exclude from Autoptimize
- et_builder.js (Visual Builder script)
- et_shortcodes.js (Shortcode functionalities)
- divi-builder.js (Builder framework)
- et_module.js (Module-specific scripts)
- divi.js (Core JavaScript file)
- divi-customizer.js (Customizer-specific functionality)
- et-custom.js (Custom scripts added to Divi)
7 Additional Configuration Options for Compatibility
- Enable “Inline JavaScript” option in Autoptimize
- Set Autoptimize to load JavaScript in the footer
- Enable "Defer JavaScript" for improved performance
- Test with “Non-blocking JavaScript” option enabled
- Use “CDN-friendly” settings for Divi assets
- Clear both the Autoptimize and WordPress cache
- Update Divi and Autoptimize to the latest versions
Testing and Debugging After Adjustments
After making the changes to Autoptimize, it’s important to test your site again. Reload your pages and verify whether the JavaScript issues are resolved. You can use browser tools like the developer console (right-click on the page and select “Inspect” > “Console”) to look for any remaining JavaScript errors. If no errors appear and Divi’s features are working as expected, you can be confident that the issue has been fixed. Keep in mind that you may need to make minor tweaks depending on your specific Divi configuration.
Clearing Cache and Optimizing Further
Once you’ve made the necessary changes, don’t forget to clear your site’s cache and your browser cache. Caching can sometimes cause old files to load, so clearing the cache ensures that the new JavaScript files are being served. Additionally, if you’re using a content delivery network (CDN), be sure to clear the cache there as well. This step can significantly improve your site’s performance and ensure that users are seeing the updated version of your site. Cache clearing should be part of your routine whenever you make significant changes to your site’s settings.
Autoptimize’s Advanced Settings for Divi
Autoptimize offers additional settings that can help resolve JavaScript issues when using Divi. One option is to enable “Inline JavaScript,” which allows Autoptimize to minify inline scripts while ensuring they’re not broken. You can also experiment with the “Defer JavaScript” setting, which delays the loading of JavaScript files until after the page content has loaded. This can improve page load times and reduce the chances of conflicts with Divi. Testing these settings one by one will help you find the best configuration for your site.
| Issue | Solution | Additional Configuration |
|---|---|---|
| Sliders not functioning | Exclude Divi’s slider JS files from Autoptimize | Enable “Inline JavaScript” in Autoptimize |
| Form submission errors | Exclude Divi’s form JS files from minification | Test “Defer JavaScript” setting |
| Visual Builder not working | Disable Autoptimize’s JavaScript optimization for Divi | Clear site and browser cache |
Long-Term Solutions for Smooth Integration
To prevent these issues from recurring, it’s important to adopt a proactive approach. Regularly check for updates to both Divi and Autoptimize, as new versions may contain bug fixes or compatibility improvements. You should also periodically test your site’s functionality to ensure that no conflicts arise from new features or updates. If you’re working with a development team, ensure that they are familiar with the nuances of integrating performance optimization tools like Autoptimize with Divi. By staying on top of updates and settings, you can ensure that Divi and Autoptimize work together seamlessly.
“Optimizing Divi’s performance with Autoptimize requires careful configuration, but the results—improved speed and functionality—are worth the effort.”
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can resolve JavaScript issues and enjoy the benefits of both Divi and Autoptimize. Configuring Autoptimize correctly, excluding key Divi files, and testing for conflicts will ensure that your website runs smoothly. Don’t forget to clear caches regularly and make use of Autoptimize’s advanced settings for even better performance. With the right adjustments, your Divi site can be both fast and fully functional. Share this guide with others who might benefit, and take your Divi-powered website to the next level!