WordPress updates are essential for security and performance — but in 2026, many site owners notice a frustrating issue:
👉 Contact forms stop working after WordPress, theme, or plugin updates
If your forms suddenly stop sending emails, show errors, or don’t submit at all after an update, this guide will help you fix it quickly.
🚨 Common Problems After WordPress Updates
After updating WordPress, you may experience:
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Forms not submitting
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No email notifications
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AJAX errors
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Spinning loader stuck
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Validation errors
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reCAPTCHA suddenly failing
These issues usually appear immediately after an update.
❓ Why Updates Break Contact Forms
In 2026, form failures after updates are mostly caused by:
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JavaScript conflicts
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Deprecated PHP functions
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Incompatible plugins
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Theme not updated properly
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Caching issues after update
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Security rules becoming stricter
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reCAPTCHA or API changes
🔍 Step 1 — Identify What Broke the Form
Ask yourself:
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Did the issue start after a WordPress update?
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Was a theme or plugin updated?
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Did PHP version change?
Knowing what changed helps narrow down the fix.
🔧 Fix 1 — Clear All Caches (Very Important)
After updates, cached files may conflict.
Clear:
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Plugin cache
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Server cache
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CDN cache
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Browser cache
Many form issues disappear after this step alone.
🔧 Fix 2 — Check JavaScript Errors
Open the form page → Inspect → Console.
Look for:
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JavaScript errors
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Blocked scripts
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Deprecated function warnings
Any error here can break form submission.
🔧 Fix 3 — Update Form Plugins Compatibility
Sometimes the form plugin itself needs a compatibility update.
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Ensure the form plugin is fully updated
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Check plugin changelog
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Avoid beta or unstable releases
If the plugin hasn’t been updated in a long time, consider switching.
🔧 Fix 4 — Check PHP Version Compatibility
In 2026, most WordPress sites use:
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PHP 8.0 or higher
Older plugins or themes may break on newer PHP versions.
Test by:
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Switching PHP version temporarily
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Checking error logs
🔧 Fix 5 — Disable Conflicting Plugins
Temporarily disable:
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Caching plugins
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Security plugins
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Optimization plugins
Then test the form again.
If it works, re-enable plugins one by one to find the conflict.
🔧 Fix 6 — Recheck Email Settings (SMTP)
Updates can reset email behavior.
Make sure:
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SMTP is still enabled
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Credentials are valid
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“From” email is domain-based
Email delivery problems are often mistaken for form failure.
🔧 Fix 7 — reCAPTCHA & API Changes
API-based features like reCAPTCHA may stop working after updates.
Check:
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Keys are still valid
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Domains are correct
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Cloud project is active
Temporarily disable reCAPTCHA to test.
🔧 Fix 8 — Test Forms in Safe Mode
Use a staging site or safe mode plugin to test forms with:
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Default theme
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Only the form plugin enabled
If it works, the issue is confirmed as a compatibility conflict.
📋 2026 Post-Update Form Checklist
✔ Clear all caches
✔ Check browser console
✔ Verify PHP compatibility
✔ Test SMTP email delivery
✔ Recheck reCAPTCHA settings
✔ Identify plugin conflicts
✔ Test after every update
⭐ Final Thoughts
WordPress updates don’t break forms directly — compatibility issues do.
Regular testing and using well-maintained form plugins is the key to avoiding downtime.
🚀 Want Fewer Problems After WordPress Updates?
If you’re tired of forms breaking after updates, VPSUForm is built to handle modern WordPress changes smoothly:
✔ Designed for latest WordPress & PHP versions
✔ Built-in spam protection (no dependency chaos)
✔ Reliable AJAX submissions
✔ Email & validation handled server-side
✔ Minimal conflicts with themes & plugins
✔ Simple setup — no complex configuration
VPSUForm helps you build stable, update-proof WordPress forms so you can focus on your site, not troubleshooting.
👉 Try VPSUForm and keep your forms working after every update.